Entombed in Alcatraz

by Robert Victor Luke, Ian Craig (Photographer), Ida Marie Luke (Photographer)

Travel with one man on his journey through imprisonment in Alcatraz and other prisons. Also his early life and the 51 years since his release.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Autobiography, History

126 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 2, 2011

Reviews

[Derrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting book to read. I enjoyed getting to know the author through his story. It was heartwarming reading about how everything turned out for him in the end. Alcatraz was no joke and I thought it was impressive he survived the experience! I thought it was cool how he was able to go back and visit so many years after his release.
The writing wasn't the greatest but to be fair, the guy's definitely not a professional writer. Overall I thought the narrative was pretty good and it kept my interest throughout. I'd recommend this to anyone who's looking for a quick read about life in Alcatraz.

[Tracy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I visited Alcatraz this week, which was a very interesting tour. At the end of the tour, in the bookstore, Robert Luke (accompanied by his wife who is mentioned quite a bit in his book) was there signing books. I grabbed one off the shelf and got him to sign my copy. He was very cheerful and happy.... I was so interested to read his story.

It's a very quick read, and interesting inside view of what it was like to be a prisoner of Alcatraz. Robert explained the events that landed him in Alcatraz (stealing, fighting and escape attempts from other prisons). He walked through his epiphany that led him to straighten up and try to turn his life around. And it sounds like he did, and has led a satisfying and happy crimefree life.

I read this on the plane on the way home, and really enjoyed reading it so soon after visiting Alcatraz.

[Analeigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Because this was a self-published book there were numerous spelling and grammatical errors, however Mr. Luke has an interesting story to tell. The pictures included in the book are wonderful and work very well to help bring this story to life. I recommend this book for anyone looking for a quick read about life at Alcatraz or prison life in general.

[Muriel · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an interesting insight into the penal system through the eyes of someone who survived in spite of (and because of) himself. After decades of hiding his incarceration, it must have been a huge relief to finally divulge his secret.

[Abdulaziz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I met Robert at Alcatraz on 10 April 2014. He was signing his book for the prison(now an attraction) visitors. When he asked me where I’m from and I said I’m from Saudi Arabia, he mentioned his visit to Ras Tanura working on an oil ship(he mentioned it in his book). He signed my copy of the book. At that time, it was like 55 years after he was released from Alcatraz. He was really old and weak that he had to use oxygen mask while sitting there signing his book. Yesterday, I knew that Robert died in 2017.

[Mellie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading about Alcatraz from a former prisoner's point of view. I have visited Alcatraz, and it always seemed very intimidating to me. It was heartening to learn how the author's life changed for the better towards the end of his incarceration throughout his later years. It was nice to read a memoir that ended on such a positive note.

[John Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting insight in to someone who spent 5 years in Alcatraz. For someone who is interested in how someone who served time thinks, this is a good book.

[tin_foil_tinnu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book, fun to read his stories while I worked there. Typos!

[Leeny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, detailed, autobiographical. Challenges one to think about the purpose of imprisonment, the brutality of humans, and the potential for redemption. Addresses the importance of family life.

[Hunter]

Hunter Conetta
May 20th

Title: Entombed in Alcatraz Author: Robert Victor Luke

Main Characters: Robert Luke, Ida Luke

Plot Summary: The book Entombed in Alcatraz was an autobiography about a man named Robert Luke's life. The beginning was about the main topic of the Book Alcatraz. The Federal Penitentiary called Alcatraz was were the worst of the worst criminals go. Alcatraz changed his life, and he explains the book is solely on memory of his past. The next part of the book explains his early life, starting in Utah. He was born in 1927, Provo Utah, and ever since he was young he was influenced by the Mormon beliefs. His family moved from Utah to Wyoming and finally to California. When he was fourteen he had come to think that many Mormons are hypocrites, which lead him away from his family. In 1942 his parents divorced and he moved all the way back to Utah. Robert was upset, and he was very angry. Soon after his parents divorce, he quit school and began to work at a US Air Force base. He made a friend while working for the Air force. Not much later, they both took their things and went to St. Lois. His friend joined the Marines almost instantly after they arrived, but Robert was only fifteen so it would be against the law to enlist in the military. He got a job working in the stockyards, it was hard work but it did not matter to him. Some of his co-worker began speaking of their life in crime. Robert joined them with no real thought put into this decision. He moved away from St. Louis, once again back to a familiar place, Los Angeles. There once again he led a life of crime. But this time he was caught and put into Juvenile hall since he was still a minor. When he was released he found jobs here and there, then he joined the Navy. He drove boats in the south pacific during World War Two. He enjoyed his time in the Navy during the war. But after he got upset because there was no action and he deserted. He was eventually caught and served time in Jail. He got out of the military jail upset and confused. This led him deeper into a life of crime. He and a friend robbed a bank and almost got away with the money. Robert was picked out of a line up and identified as the perpetration of the crime. He went to several prisons and the last being Alcatraz. This prison was the worst. There was no running, no yelling, and if any of these rules were broken there was severe punishment. He learned this lesson early, with over twenty days of solitary confinement. There was not a single good thing about Alcatraz; this was the worst time in his life. Before he got into jail, Robert did not believe he earned this time in Jail, he thought he was pushed into crime. But when he was in Alcatraz, he realized he has the power to control his life, he chooses his course and it was his fault he was in Alcatraz. After a decade in Alcatraz, Robert Luke was free. And his life went nowhere but up from there. For the first time in his life he was succeeding. He was doing honest work, finding happiness and he is doing what he loves. The rest of the book his life outside of Alcatraz, and how much it changed his life.

Conflict: The conflict in this book was for the most part person versus self. Robert Luke fought a battle in his mind as well as in Jail. After the Navy Robert though his life could only go down. He kept making bad decisions because he thought that was his only option. But while he was in Alcatraz, he learned, there is another option; it was his own fault he was in this terrible situation. He was the only one to blame and he was the only one who could turn his life around. The secondary conflict was person versus society, Robert was found guilty in crimes under law of the United States of America. Juries and Judges both battled in court over whether or not the Crime was committed by Robert Luke.

Why I did or did not Like the book: This book was very interesting. The plot was very captivating and it was somewhat inspiring to learn about this. But I would have enjoyed the book much more if it were more descriptive. The book was very brief it did not use very sophisticated phrasing, and it gave very little detail about anything. If these aspects were put in the book would be much better than it already is.

[Chris Tew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bob Luke is my mother's cousin, the son of an aunt on her mother's side of the family. I found the book an interesting read from a family history perspective. However, what I found inspiring in the book was Bob's epiphany when he finally realized that his life didn't have to be what it had been, that he was making the decisions that impacted his life for the negative, and that the harvest he was suffering was a result of his own actions. He finally realized he could choose another path, and began to do so from that very day. That has given him over 50 years of freedom. He was able to escape from Alcatraz legally, but, ironically, came back by his own choice to sell his book and work there as a guide. I recommend Bob's book if only for the story of his personal growth and permanent change. His story is a good one, a story of redemption, and a story of the power people have to change their own lives by choosing good over evil.

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was at Alcatraz this past April and while we were on the boat over they made an announcement that a former inmate was signing books in the gift shop. When we got up, Mr. Luke was sitting there, very old and with an oxygen tank - it was really a wonder he had been able to get up all of the hills and steps to get in - there must be accessible entrances I didn't see! I figured, how often am I at Alcatraz, and what are my chances of ever meeting an inmate again.... as it closed as a penitentiary in the 60s. That's super cool, right? So I got the book and went and chatted with him and his wife for a minute.

The book is self published, and therefore has spelling and grammatical errors. It was also clearly written by a man with no more than a 9th-10th grade education - it was simple, and repetitive, and I wish it had just a few more details! But his stories and pictures were interesting, and it was cool to read about how he turned his life around.

[Mia · Rating 3 out of 5]

this was a cool book. i meet him at the prisiopn in 2012 and it was relly cool to buy a book and meet the guy at the same time. some one who lived there as well. the story he wrot seem to fast and dint have to much detal . i was hoping to hear more about what he did at ports and things like that and more about his friends maybe things they talked about. it was a cool story all in all thou : )

[Kory Billups · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great book. This book was about a real life Alcatraz prisoner. Robert wrote about his horrible time in Alcatraz. Robert also wrote about his good times in Alcatraz. He wrote stories on how prisoners would always try to escape. I would recommend this book to people that like biographies and like real life stories.

[Amanda Gorry · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting read (especially after meeting the author during a trip to Alcatraz). However I was a bit disappointed that there was so little in the book about his actual time there. Still worth a read ( just ignore the spelling and grammar mistakes).

[Michelle]

Interesting story and you can tell it was actually written by Robert Luke. I read it with the kids (10yrs) and they enjoyed it too. Sparks some good conversations about the justice system, consequences and change.

[Kristin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even though the book was clearly not edited and had so many misspellings, Robert Luke's story was so interesting!! I loved learning about Robert's stay at Alcatraz, and the photos were great!

[Janell Barney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know Bob Luke personally and that probably influences my rating some. He truly is a changed man from what he was in his earlier years.

[Sasuriname · Rating 1 out of 5]

The book is about Robert Luke life. Yes, there is a little chapter about Alcatraz but I'm surprised that the whole book is called Entombed in Alcatraz :(

[Christie · Rating 5 out of 5]

After meeting the author at Alcatraz, I had to buy this book. I found it really interesting, especially having visited the prison. It was great to read about his life.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story has very little about this prisoner's life on Alcatraz. Most of the book is about events that lead to his incarceration in Alcatraz, and life after he was released.