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BloodLine: You Spend Enough Time in Hell and You Get the Feeling You Belong
Torn from an idyllic life with a loving, extended family in 1960’s Alabama, young Johnny Turnipseed found himself in Minneapolis, Minnesota with a father he no longer recognized and empty cupboards. A.C. Turnipseed’s alcoholism and womanizing started a chain reaction of poverty, violence, addiction and despair that nearly destroyed three generations.
From lost and frightened little boy to gang leader, drug dealer and pimp to one of the nation’s most respected pioneers of community restoration, John Turnipseed’s story of transformation and restoration is told with unflinching honesty and contagious hope.
From lost and frightened little boy to gang leader, drug dealer and pimp to one of the nation’s most respected pioneers of community restoration, John Turnipseed’s story of transformation and restoration is told with unflinching honesty and contagious hope.
- GenresNonfictionMemoir
226 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2014
17 people are currently reading
92 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
May 5, 2019
Summary- you can shoot, stab, Rob, rape, cheat, lie, and all other manner of sins so long as you are respected by tough looking people who do the same and then convert people to your Jesus.
Apparently deciding to believe in a religion absolves all the pain you cause. I did not read anything about the impact on his victims lives, but plenty of pride in how tough he was, or converting somebody to his religion. Sad to know there are hundreds or maybe thousands who were hurt by someone who devotes a book instead to almost bragging about the crimes, then bragging about his Jesus. Maybe John Turnipseed isn't like this in person, and being in his community I know a lot about Urban Ventures, Mad Dad's, etc but I have to say this book was nauseating to me. I hope John in real life knows his victims are walking around with wounds that Jesus didn't sugar coat for them.
One example- page 166- a man named Jamal beat someone and molested a child. So he did the honorable thing to not turn the person in (honor among "the family") and to not beat or kill him (good time to promote Jesus). So instead they scared him off. He seemed so proud of his self control as a Bible thumper, proud of his control when surrounded by his brothers to intimidate people as a former gangbanger, and proud of his ability to assert his control/power/reputation instead of call the police or protect Jamal's future victims. But it's no big deal that the guy then kidnapped a 12 year old girl and took her across state lines. But it's all good because tough guys respect John and Jesus said he was a good guy so Jamal became the 12 year old girls job to bring to justice.
A lot of bragging in this book but no remorse for the people he hurt. Almost dehumanizing the victims by making himself the victim of his choices and loveless father and then rejoicing when consequences were reduced or forgiven. Ie- page 214 "Despite my first forty years of criminal activity, failure, and sin, the last twenty years have reversed that. God forgave me and wiped away the past. I owed much more than I could ever repay, but God honored my faithfulness and picked up the tab for all my debts." I wonder how many people Mr. Turnipseed hurt can say that their pain, fear and loss is wiped away because Jesus fixed it all. I am sure therapy bills, life long traumatic memories and permanent loss also disappears if Jesus says "A ok!". Would have mean a lot more if his victims were any where near as important as his Jesus recruits.
Apparently deciding to believe in a religion absolves all the pain you cause. I did not read anything about the impact on his victims lives, but plenty of pride in how tough he was, or converting somebody to his religion. Sad to know there are hundreds or maybe thousands who were hurt by someone who devotes a book instead to almost bragging about the crimes, then bragging about his Jesus. Maybe John Turnipseed isn't like this in person, and being in his community I know a lot about Urban Ventures, Mad Dad's, etc but I have to say this book was nauseating to me. I hope John in real life knows his victims are walking around with wounds that Jesus didn't sugar coat for them.
One example- page 166- a man named Jamal beat someone and molested a child. So he did the honorable thing to not turn the person in (honor among "the family") and to not beat or kill him (good time to promote Jesus). So instead they scared him off. He seemed so proud of his self control as a Bible thumper, proud of his control when surrounded by his brothers to intimidate people as a former gangbanger, and proud of his ability to assert his control/power/reputation instead of call the police or protect Jamal's future victims. But it's no big deal that the guy then kidnapped a 12 year old girl and took her across state lines. But it's all good because tough guys respect John and Jesus said he was a good guy so Jamal became the 12 year old girls job to bring to justice.
A lot of bragging in this book but no remorse for the people he hurt. Almost dehumanizing the victims by making himself the victim of his choices and loveless father and then rejoicing when consequences were reduced or forgiven. Ie- page 214 "Despite my first forty years of criminal activity, failure, and sin, the last twenty years have reversed that. God forgave me and wiped away the past. I owed much more than I could ever repay, but God honored my faithfulness and picked up the tab for all my debts." I wonder how many people Mr. Turnipseed hurt can say that their pain, fear and loss is wiped away because Jesus fixed it all. I am sure therapy bills, life long traumatic memories and permanent loss also disappears if Jesus says "A ok!". Would have mean a lot more if his victims were any where near as important as his Jesus recruits.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 18, 2019
Bloodline is a book targeted toward people who may be at risk of being influenced by gangs, drugs, or gambling. The writing is simple using common language, and straight to the point. Through the story John Turnipseed remains open in his story, his involvement in crime and prison, and the faith that ultimately allowed him to leave his life of crime and become a force for good in his community. I found John's testimony to be incredibly inspiring, and a reminder that faith and God makes all things possible.
April 19, 2018
Four stars, not because of the writing, but because it is an amazing story of forgiveness and redemption. A good reminder that NO ONE is so far gone that God can’t reach them.
November 18, 2015
I was hooked on this book after the first paragraph. As you read about all the tragedy and violence in John's life you think there's no way this life can be redeemed. Without Christ, maybe not. This book is a powerful example of the redeeming love and power to change a life that is only found in Christ Jesus. I think this book should be required reading for all troubled youth. They need to know there's hope in their lives.
September 26, 2023
this book got both side of me
The first half of the book got my justice rising for the people that got robbed, raped, pimped, threatened, killed, duped into drug’s addiction.
But the second part of the book talks about genuine and long lasting conversion to Christ and honest way of life. And how hard J. Turnipseed worked and prayed to influence and change others wicked ways for God’s ways.
I really enjoyed the book, the testimony, and God’s miracle in John’s transformed life.
The first half of the book got my justice rising for the people that got robbed, raped, pimped, threatened, killed, duped into drug’s addiction.
But the second part of the book talks about genuine and long lasting conversion to Christ and honest way of life. And how hard J. Turnipseed worked and prayed to influence and change others wicked ways for God’s ways.
I really enjoyed the book, the testimony, and God’s miracle in John’s transformed life.
September 5, 2023
I picked up this book for a true crime read, and found instead a powerful testimony of one man’s journey from a life of intense violence and immorality to redemption in Christ.
The writing in simple and straightforward, not always grammatically correct, without the polish one might see in other memoirs. This makes the story feel approachable, almost like John is just having a conversation with the reader. And it makes John’s message all the more potent: God saved him, and He can save you, too.
The writing in simple and straightforward, not always grammatically correct, without the polish one might see in other memoirs. This makes the story feel approachable, almost like John is just having a conversation with the reader. And it makes John’s message all the more potent: God saved him, and He can save you, too.
December 29, 2024
This is the amazing life story of John Turnipseed- notorious family gang lord whose life eventually did a 180 after encountering Christ. His decades in crime and in prison are chronicled as well as his big change as he becomes a father figure and example to others to leave the life of crime. A very interesting and heartwarming life story.
October 19, 2019
Simply written book about a difficult life and God’s forgiveness and redemption. He uses John Turnipseed’s life of crime and a life without a father figure to now minister to others. This is a book about gang and criminal activity right in my backyard in Minneapolis.
August 21, 2018
This book reminded me to be thankful for my life. It was hard to read at times because it scared me.
October 22, 2018
A story of great resilience. I love that he not only overcame hardships but has gone on to give back to the community in beautiful ways. Writing style isn't my favorite.
January 23, 2021
The editing is terrible and the story jumps around but the testimony is great. Very quick read and I enjoyed it.
December 4, 2021
Lots of learning going on.
January 18, 2015
Not the best written, but a straight forward account of a changed life. Many lessons in loving without judgement and the slow, steady course of integrity when your life has been marked by many transgressions
July 24, 2015
Amazing story of transformation
January 28, 2016
Pretty amazing story of a transformation that seemed impossible. I am thankful that Minneapolis has leadership like this in the black community.
May 11, 2020
There is hope no matter what situation you’re in.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews