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Death Row Chaplain: Unbelievable True Stories from America's Most Notorious Prison
From a former criminal and now chaplain for the San Francisco 49ers and the Golden State Warriors, comes a riveting, behind-the-bars look at one of America’s most feared prisons: San Quentin. Reverend Earl Smith shares the most important lessons he’s learned from years of helping inmates discover God’s plan for them.
In 1983, twenty-seven-year-old Earl Smith arrived at San Quentin just like everyone thought he would. Labeled as a gang member and criminal from a young age, Smith was expected to do some time, but after a brush with death during a botched drug deal, Smith’s soul was saved and his life path was altered forever.
From that moment on, Smith knew God had an unusual mission for him, and he became the minister to the lost souls sitting on death row. For twenty-three years, Smith played chess with Charles Manson, witnessed twelve executions, and negotiated truces between rival gangs. But most importantly, Smith helped the prisoners of San Quentin find redemption, hope, and understand that it is still possible to find God’s grace and mercy from behind bars.
Edgy, insightful, and thought provoking, Death Row Chaplain teaches us that God’s grace can reach anyone—even the most desperate and lost—and that it’s never too late to turn our lives around.
In 1983, twenty-seven-year-old Earl Smith arrived at San Quentin just like everyone thought he would. Labeled as a gang member and criminal from a young age, Smith was expected to do some time, but after a brush with death during a botched drug deal, Smith’s soul was saved and his life path was altered forever.
From that moment on, Smith knew God had an unusual mission for him, and he became the minister to the lost souls sitting on death row. For twenty-three years, Smith played chess with Charles Manson, witnessed twelve executions, and negotiated truces between rival gangs. But most importantly, Smith helped the prisoners of San Quentin find redemption, hope, and understand that it is still possible to find God’s grace and mercy from behind bars.
Edgy, insightful, and thought provoking, Death Row Chaplain teaches us that God’s grace can reach anyone—even the most desperate and lost—and that it’s never too late to turn our lives around.
274 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 19, 2015
32 people are currently reading
315 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
March 12, 2018
I worked with Chaplain Smith at San Quentin for years. I had no idea he had such a challenging childhood. I really enjoyed the book! Well done Earl Smith ~
August 6, 2016
Educational, raw, extremely provoking. Smith hammers forgiveness, the waste of revenge, and it is never to late to rewrite and redirect your life - change is possible. A very candid account of Earl Smith, his calling to preach - which is affecting, and his experience serving as chaplain in one of the toughest prisons in the country. A man possessing a true gift of communication, a man demonstrating integrity, opening his heart and soul to God with the hopes of making a difference in others lives. An incredible reading journey. Smith provides the peruser with plenty to consider as well as discuss.
I was all over the place emotionally after reading this book. Smith cites examples, takes you into the bowels of prison life, the anguish of victims families as well as convicts families, his own experiences, the overall task of survival in prison life, however, he manages to describe all this with a level of neutrality and honesty. He will tell you his own thoughts and views along with why he feels this specific way, in other words, he gives plenty of back up in his responses. Admittedly I found Smith’s account to be disturbing, a hardcore reality check. I’m still pondering all I read, he has manage to redirect my thinking by reconsidering certain opinions I carried prior to this reading. Memorable story, unforgettable man, his honesty is arresting.
I was all over the place emotionally after reading this book. Smith cites examples, takes you into the bowels of prison life, the anguish of victims families as well as convicts families, his own experiences, the overall task of survival in prison life, however, he manages to describe all this with a level of neutrality and honesty. He will tell you his own thoughts and views along with why he feels this specific way, in other words, he gives plenty of back up in his responses. Admittedly I found Smith’s account to be disturbing, a hardcore reality check. I’m still pondering all I read, he has manage to redirect my thinking by reconsidering certain opinions I carried prior to this reading. Memorable story, unforgettable man, his honesty is arresting.
June 13, 2022
A great read!
A great book that tells the story of the author Earl Smith. The story is well rounded and gives a complete look of some of the life of the pastor from being a young man to becoming the youngest pastor employed by San Quintin Prison then to preaching for professional athletes.
A great book that tells the story of the author Earl Smith. The story is well rounded and gives a complete look of some of the life of the pastor from being a young man to becoming the youngest pastor employed by San Quintin Prison then to preaching for professional athletes.
July 30, 2025
Inspirational and thought-provoking.
April 19, 2024
So good! Wished there was more specific info about the inmates he counseled, but learning about the programs he created for the prison was cool. Easy read too with short chapters.
May 11, 2015
This was a fascinating book. Earl’s mother was “incapable” of loving him. The only time he got any attention from her was when he got in trouble. So he got in a LOT of trouble. He quickly found a gang that made him feel like part of a family. He became very feared and lived a life of crime. He had little regard for others.
Everything changed in October 1975 when he was shot six times. The doctors didn’t expect him to live but God told Earl he had something for him to do. He was going to be a chaplain at San Quentin, one of the country’s most notorious prisons. He didn’t know that he would one day meet his shooter in the prison.
A lot of the book talks about Rev. Smith’s experiences working with inmates at San Quentin. He dealt with a lot of men on death row and talked with a lot of victim families. He stated often that he believed it is better for victim’s if the accused gets life imprisonment over the death penalty. With all of the appeals in a death penalty case, the victim’s family needs to keep reliving the crime over and over and often find it hard to move on. He also shared that most do not have any more closure after an execution. This was a surprising view point but it made sense to me.
My favorite part of the book was reading of how God was at work in the prison. Smith used chess, baseball, and music to make inroads with the inmates. He taught the men that nobody is so far gone that God’s grace cannot reach them. He offered hope and helped many find redemption and salvation in Christ. Some of the stories were beautiful and some were tragic. There’s even a story of his relationship with Charles Manson, one of the most famous serial killers our country has ever known.
Forgiveness is a big theme in the book. The situations here required some extreme forgiveness but the application is as true and needed for you and me as it is for the murderer or the murdered victim’s family.
Towards the end of his career working in the prison, Smith became a chaplain for the San Francisco 49ers and some other pro teams. While this was a short section, it was still interesting.
I really enjoyed this book. I didn’t expect it to be as gripping as it was. Smith had a way of building common ground with people that I think would be a helpful practice as we think of getting to know people for the purpose of evangelism. It was encouraging.
I think this book would be a great read for anyone involved in prison ministry. It’s also a great read for anyone who likes biography or history. There’s a lot of information on prison culture and what it’s like to be on death row. It was fascinating.
Thank you to Howard Books and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book for the purpose of this review.
Everything changed in October 1975 when he was shot six times. The doctors didn’t expect him to live but God told Earl he had something for him to do. He was going to be a chaplain at San Quentin, one of the country’s most notorious prisons. He didn’t know that he would one day meet his shooter in the prison.
A lot of the book talks about Rev. Smith’s experiences working with inmates at San Quentin. He dealt with a lot of men on death row and talked with a lot of victim families. He stated often that he believed it is better for victim’s if the accused gets life imprisonment over the death penalty. With all of the appeals in a death penalty case, the victim’s family needs to keep reliving the crime over and over and often find it hard to move on. He also shared that most do not have any more closure after an execution. This was a surprising view point but it made sense to me.
My favorite part of the book was reading of how God was at work in the prison. Smith used chess, baseball, and music to make inroads with the inmates. He taught the men that nobody is so far gone that God’s grace cannot reach them. He offered hope and helped many find redemption and salvation in Christ. Some of the stories were beautiful and some were tragic. There’s even a story of his relationship with Charles Manson, one of the most famous serial killers our country has ever known.
Forgiveness is a big theme in the book. The situations here required some extreme forgiveness but the application is as true and needed for you and me as it is for the murderer or the murdered victim’s family.
Towards the end of his career working in the prison, Smith became a chaplain for the San Francisco 49ers and some other pro teams. While this was a short section, it was still interesting.
I really enjoyed this book. I didn’t expect it to be as gripping as it was. Smith had a way of building common ground with people that I think would be a helpful practice as we think of getting to know people for the purpose of evangelism. It was encouraging.
I think this book would be a great read for anyone involved in prison ministry. It’s also a great read for anyone who likes biography or history. There’s a lot of information on prison culture and what it’s like to be on death row. It was fascinating.
Thank you to Howard Books and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book for the purpose of this review.
June 10, 2017
This book gave me some great ideas to try to implement in the class I facilitate at a prison. My husband and I teach an addictions recovery class, but what we really do it what this book talked about. With the added insight, I hope to make a few changes to further our success. Great book written by what seems to be an extremely humble man.
September 12, 2021
Not a bad book, I just didn't love it. I guess I wanted to know the people at San Quentin better but this was more the author's story (obviously). I also listen to a podcast about San Quentin (Ear Hustle, which is AMAZING) and that really offers a much more in-depth way to know some of the incarcerated people.
August 23, 2017
Interesting look into the life of a man who was the prison chaplain for San Quentin. The read is a bit disjointed at times.
December 2, 2021
Having worked throughout the California Prison system, I was anxious to read this work. Written in a 'capsulized remembrances' style of events and times during the author's life, rather than a chronological line-upon-line format, one gets a personal view of specific life instances as well as the author's personal opinions/feelings about these experiences. Certainly, a story of struggle, pain, abandonment, disillusionment, rejection, abuse, hope, unconditional love, forgiveness, and a better future for someone trapped in a secular life of darkness. The author details the step-by-step process of Christian growth that can be swift in some cases and slow in others, his ups-and-downs, and as the saying goes: "Christ catches his fish before he cleans them." We see that here in abundance - "For though the righteous may fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked shall fall when calamity strikes." -Proverbs 24:16
From racist Black Panther Party & BGF members to Crips & Bloods, Northern & Southern Mexican gangs, to Aryan Brotherhood adherents, this works keeps its pages turning almost by themselves. A plethora of photographs end this work nicely.
The author highlights cases where, the pattern of a death sentence being commuted to life with parole possible, release on parole, and a murder or two happening again by these same individuals. "Whenever someone is sentenced to death, there’s an automatic appeal and the case is tried over and over again during the course of several years. Why would victims’ families and friends want to keep reliving the pain of someone they loved being killed? Don’t they want to move on?" "If a guy is on Death Row, and later released, what does that say about the system? It says that there’s a flaw in it... the system isn’t working."
Appeals. appeals, and more appeals for death sentences... "Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed speedily, therefore people’s hearts are given fully to do evil." -Ecclesiastes 8:11
- Additional Excerpts:
"By the time I entered junior high, I had become intimately acquainted with the police, the feeling of handcuffs, and the smell of the back of a police cruiser. I had graduated to stealing cars, money, and guns... Not long thereafter, I formed a gang with a group of boys from my neighborhood. We called ourselves the Scotty Boys, after the street where most of us lived. By being a part of a gang, I felt as though I finally had a family. Because of my violent behavior, I was revered, respected, and feared in our neighborhood."
As a youth after attending an execution: "I still remember how dark his skin looked from his dying in the gas chamber. Nobody in my family ever talked about the incident again, and I certainly never brought the subject up with his brother. For whatever reason, it was a huge moment in my life. No one ever talked about it, but I never forgot."
"I accepted the Lord and was baptized... It was my first experience with God’s grace. As I now know, grace is God’s undeserved favor—the unconditional love He gives to each of us, though we all are sinners. In my youthful arrogance, I didn’t understand that it didn’t matter if I thought I was worthy of the Lord’s attention — He thought I was... We can choose righteousness, gratitude, giving, and spiritual well-being, or we can choose quick gratification that ends up in despair, illegal activity, pain, and loss."
"The first hanging at San Quentin occurred in 1893. More than two hundred people were hanged there before 1937, when the state legislature replaced the noose with lethal gas as the official method of execution. San Quentin housed both male and female inmates until 1933, when the women’s prison at Tehachapi was built... But many of the men who live there are broke—mentally and spiritually."
"For our society, Death Row is the final stop for men and women who have committed the most heinous of crimes. But it was my calling to bring the Word to the least, including the men who would never walk outside of Condemned Row."
"I cannot force a person to convert to Christianity. But every athlete I’ve ever worked with knew I wasn’t going to judge him and was still going to be available for anything he might need—even if he never attended one of my chapel services. I can only share with these men what God has done in my life and continue to show them love, compassion, and sincerity. I can’t change a person’s heart—that is God’s job."
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." -2 Corinthians 5:17
- Other works that may be of interest to you:
From The Godfather to God The Father by Michael Franzese
Whose Child Is This?: A Story of Hope and Help for a Generation at Peril Paperback by Bill Wilson
From racist Black Panther Party & BGF members to Crips & Bloods, Northern & Southern Mexican gangs, to Aryan Brotherhood adherents, this works keeps its pages turning almost by themselves. A plethora of photographs end this work nicely.
The author highlights cases where, the pattern of a death sentence being commuted to life with parole possible, release on parole, and a murder or two happening again by these same individuals. "Whenever someone is sentenced to death, there’s an automatic appeal and the case is tried over and over again during the course of several years. Why would victims’ families and friends want to keep reliving the pain of someone they loved being killed? Don’t they want to move on?" "If a guy is on Death Row, and later released, what does that say about the system? It says that there’s a flaw in it... the system isn’t working."
Appeals. appeals, and more appeals for death sentences... "Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed speedily, therefore people’s hearts are given fully to do evil." -Ecclesiastes 8:11
- Additional Excerpts:
"By the time I entered junior high, I had become intimately acquainted with the police, the feeling of handcuffs, and the smell of the back of a police cruiser. I had graduated to stealing cars, money, and guns... Not long thereafter, I formed a gang with a group of boys from my neighborhood. We called ourselves the Scotty Boys, after the street where most of us lived. By being a part of a gang, I felt as though I finally had a family. Because of my violent behavior, I was revered, respected, and feared in our neighborhood."
As a youth after attending an execution: "I still remember how dark his skin looked from his dying in the gas chamber. Nobody in my family ever talked about the incident again, and I certainly never brought the subject up with his brother. For whatever reason, it was a huge moment in my life. No one ever talked about it, but I never forgot."
"I accepted the Lord and was baptized... It was my first experience with God’s grace. As I now know, grace is God’s undeserved favor—the unconditional love He gives to each of us, though we all are sinners. In my youthful arrogance, I didn’t understand that it didn’t matter if I thought I was worthy of the Lord’s attention — He thought I was... We can choose righteousness, gratitude, giving, and spiritual well-being, or we can choose quick gratification that ends up in despair, illegal activity, pain, and loss."
"The first hanging at San Quentin occurred in 1893. More than two hundred people were hanged there before 1937, when the state legislature replaced the noose with lethal gas as the official method of execution. San Quentin housed both male and female inmates until 1933, when the women’s prison at Tehachapi was built... But many of the men who live there are broke—mentally and spiritually."
"For our society, Death Row is the final stop for men and women who have committed the most heinous of crimes. But it was my calling to bring the Word to the least, including the men who would never walk outside of Condemned Row."
"I cannot force a person to convert to Christianity. But every athlete I’ve ever worked with knew I wasn’t going to judge him and was still going to be available for anything he might need—even if he never attended one of my chapel services. I can only share with these men what God has done in my life and continue to show them love, compassion, and sincerity. I can’t change a person’s heart—that is God’s job."
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." -2 Corinthians 5:17
- Other works that may be of interest to you:
From The Godfather to God The Father by Michael Franzese
Whose Child Is This?: A Story of Hope and Help for a Generation at Peril Paperback by Bill Wilson
March 24, 2020
I thought this book was really good and insightful into the life of both the chaplain and the people he cared for. Some of the things discussed were really graphic, but they were all real (I even did some fact-checking on some of them, to make sure).
The only things I want to point out about the book are these:
1. The chaplain is very against the death penalty and while he has seen it in practice more than I have, I felt like his opinion was not super factually based. It was based more on feelings (the feelings of the inmate and the people connected to the victim and the inmate and finally the people who have to perform the execution). He never ever brought up the financial burden inmates are. I mean, how would a family whose little girl was kidnapped, raped, tortured, and murdered (thinking of the case of the 13-year-old in WI, right now) feel about having to give up their money to keep the person who did it healthy and happy in prison? I would rather see that person die as their consequence for their actions against my daughter. The author also made crazy claims, such as calling Texans blood-thirsty. Just because Texas is determined to provide the justice they think is the best toward the terrible actions of people in their state, doesn't mean ALL of them are blood-thirsty.
2. The ending chapters of the book were about the chaplains work in sports teams. Considering the title, I wasn't expecting him to start talking about people he ministered to in sports teams. I felt like he either did that because he thought he'd reach a larger audience or because he was vain and wanted to mention all of these famous people he knew...I don't know which, or if there was another reason, but that was my take-away.
In addition, I found a few grammatical mistakes, and I'm in 8th grade. While I might be mistaken, that's kinda embarrassing to the books authors, editors, and publishers.
The only things I want to point out about the book are these:
1. The chaplain is very against the death penalty and while he has seen it in practice more than I have, I felt like his opinion was not super factually based. It was based more on feelings (the feelings of the inmate and the people connected to the victim and the inmate and finally the people who have to perform the execution). He never ever brought up the financial burden inmates are. I mean, how would a family whose little girl was kidnapped, raped, tortured, and murdered (thinking of the case of the 13-year-old in WI, right now) feel about having to give up their money to keep the person who did it healthy and happy in prison? I would rather see that person die as their consequence for their actions against my daughter. The author also made crazy claims, such as calling Texans blood-thirsty. Just because Texas is determined to provide the justice they think is the best toward the terrible actions of people in their state, doesn't mean ALL of them are blood-thirsty.
2. The ending chapters of the book were about the chaplains work in sports teams. Considering the title, I wasn't expecting him to start talking about people he ministered to in sports teams. I felt like he either did that because he thought he'd reach a larger audience or because he was vain and wanted to mention all of these famous people he knew...I don't know which, or if there was another reason, but that was my take-away.
In addition, I found a few grammatical mistakes, and I'm in 8th grade. While I might be mistaken, that's kinda embarrassing to the books authors, editors, and publishers.
June 14, 2017
From a young criminal (though never sentenced by the jury/court) to the prison chaplain. A life story of a long-time pastor serving in one of the darkest place on Earth.
Earl A. Smith was one of the wild, unloved kids from dysfunctional family, living dangerously - till the gunshots had found him and he had started to think about the change. The change was not easy (he even fathers a child outside of the marriage), but he well used his deep knowledge from the dark side to help the hardened men often without hope, but with lots of pain and agresivity, to see the light. He saw pain, even death (working on the Death Row), but so often he saw mercy, reconciliation and even forgiveness, that unnatural, divine gift one human can give to another (with grace and help from above).
The book is quite strong in its simplicity. Being a literary lover, I wish for the more ruthless editor. But being a person sensitive to emotions, I can definitely tell that I am touched - mostly by the narrator´s pain (I was most touched by his pain attached to his mother´s rejection and by the death of inmate Tank, what made him realize that he is mentally and psychologically burned out).
Another topic what has touched me is the message of breaking the barriers and bulding the bridges. Prison is a place full of hatred based on almost anything - race, religion...And pastor Smith hs succesfully tried to find what the inmates have in common - love of sport, music, relationships to families, ways to be a man...And I am quite impressed by his creativity, dedication and mostly by God´s touch and faithfulness in these situations.
Impressive read that has made me open to see humanity in the hardened ones once again. Because we all can be hardened and imprisoned, even if the prison can be the walls of our hearts.
Earl A. Smith was one of the wild, unloved kids from dysfunctional family, living dangerously - till the gunshots had found him and he had started to think about the change. The change was not easy (he even fathers a child outside of the marriage), but he well used his deep knowledge from the dark side to help the hardened men often without hope, but with lots of pain and agresivity, to see the light. He saw pain, even death (working on the Death Row), but so often he saw mercy, reconciliation and even forgiveness, that unnatural, divine gift one human can give to another (with grace and help from above).
The book is quite strong in its simplicity. Being a literary lover, I wish for the more ruthless editor. But being a person sensitive to emotions, I can definitely tell that I am touched - mostly by the narrator´s pain (I was most touched by his pain attached to his mother´s rejection and by the death of inmate Tank, what made him realize that he is mentally and psychologically burned out).
Another topic what has touched me is the message of breaking the barriers and bulding the bridges. Prison is a place full of hatred based on almost anything - race, religion...And pastor Smith hs succesfully tried to find what the inmates have in common - love of sport, music, relationships to families, ways to be a man...And I am quite impressed by his creativity, dedication and mostly by God´s touch and faithfulness in these situations.
Impressive read that has made me open to see humanity in the hardened ones once again. Because we all can be hardened and imprisoned, even if the prison can be the walls of our hearts.
August 18, 2022
Very interesting read. I found this book after reading an article by Rev. Smith in an issue of Guideposts. In part an autobiography, in part true crime, in part inspirational Christian nonfiction. The story of Rev. Earl Smith’s transformation from an angry child turned criminal and then, by the grace of God, turned into a servant of the Lord. An inside look at San Quentin, but not just as a documentary view of the notorious prison. Instead, we are shown how some of the inmates have actually found hope and their own transformations, and have themselves found peace and new direction in God. We are shown how God is alive and well within those prison walls. Rev. Smith shows us that many of us are actually just as much prisoners as those in prison, and that maybe we need to see those prisoners as not so different from ourselves. Most of all, I got a lot out of the chapter on forgiveness. He made many good points that I hope to remember in the future. I think the biggest takeaway for me were the many inspirational episodes of Rev. Smith’s story.
August 21, 2022
Finishing this read is bittersweet. Something about Earl’s unwavering optimism throughout the book helped me uncover my own cynicism and I trust he will do the same with others.
Yes, he weaved in his and His gospel throughout, however it was nothing that an everyday reader wouldn’t appreciate or enjoy. I certainly got something out of those messages and I do not consider myself religious.
Earl is from Stockton and the settings really resonated with me. I went to college there but spent early
childhood San Francisco. I learned a lot about the notorious prison I have been curious about in Marin County.
This was less about the terrible crimes committed and more about the idea of redemption, forgiveness, and the impact Earl has made and received through relationships. This is not a crime book and it surprised me in the best way. I will recommend to anyone from my hometown or someone who might be curious about it.
Yes, he weaved in his and His gospel throughout, however it was nothing that an everyday reader wouldn’t appreciate or enjoy. I certainly got something out of those messages and I do not consider myself religious.
Earl is from Stockton and the settings really resonated with me. I went to college there but spent early
childhood San Francisco. I learned a lot about the notorious prison I have been curious about in Marin County.
This was less about the terrible crimes committed and more about the idea of redemption, forgiveness, and the impact Earl has made and received through relationships. This is not a crime book and it surprised me in the best way. I will recommend to anyone from my hometown or someone who might be curious about it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 26, 2025
This was an interesting read and the stories were short that it was also a quick read. I was hoping for more of an immersive look at life behind the walls but you won’t find that here. I think the Reverend has a comprehensive insight into the life of a prisoner before, during, and after lockup. The death row stories were the most fascinating to me and I would have been happy to find more of that and less of the autobiography elements, although I think that did lend credibility and relatability to the overall story.
There could have been more editing as this read like the Reverend wrote the stories he remembered or that stuck out to him and then it was haphazardly stuck together. The subject matter was interesting to me so I didn’t mind the flaws as much as I might normally and I enjoyed the thought provoking conversations this prompted. I’d recommend this but don’t go into it expecting a literary masterpiece.
There could have been more editing as this read like the Reverend wrote the stories he remembered or that stuck out to him and then it was haphazardly stuck together. The subject matter was interesting to me so I didn’t mind the flaws as much as I might normally and I enjoyed the thought provoking conversations this prompted. I’d recommend this but don’t go into it expecting a literary masterpiece.
December 5, 2018
This book is very inspiring in that it demonstrates the practicality of Christianity in the world. I am really inspired by the author and what he had done. I think the I.M.P.A.C.T project would benefit each and every man in the society including me. If I can I would want to get the IMPACT work book described by the author.
The stories he share about people’s life being turned around is really uplifting and most importantly they are all true. I have looked up the author he has been in countless interviews, he is truly a humble man. I learned so much from his experiences, thoughts and the work he had done in San Queintin.
The stories he share about people’s life being turned around is really uplifting and most importantly they are all true. I have looked up the author he has been in countless interviews, he is truly a humble man. I learned so much from his experiences, thoughts and the work he had done in San Queintin.
March 24, 2023
The story itself is one full of hope and redemption in broken lives and hearts.
However, I gave it three stars because:
-I was imagining more in depth stories about conversations and experiences the author had. He shared some of his own story, certainly, and I know there were probably things he couldn't say, but it still was not quite what I expected.
-The writing style of the author was easy to understand but also felt a bit redundant at times.
These are more personal preferences than anything and again, I don't want to take away from the reality of the beauty and pain in the story as well. The story gets 5 stars. The book conveying it gets 3.
However, I gave it three stars because:
-I was imagining more in depth stories about conversations and experiences the author had. He shared some of his own story, certainly, and I know there were probably things he couldn't say, but it still was not quite what I expected.
-The writing style of the author was easy to understand but also felt a bit redundant at times.
These are more personal preferences than anything and again, I don't want to take away from the reality of the beauty and pain in the story as well. The story gets 5 stars. The book conveying it gets 3.
January 2, 2018
A look at the journey of faith, forgiveness, life, and death behind the bars at one of the largest prisons in America. Rev. Earl Smith shares the hard and holy work of walking the journey of faith with those who are housed on death row. His personal stories and experience mix in a beautiful way with the stories and experiences of those he ministers to in such a way that causes one to pause and consider the relationships they have with those around them as well as bringing awareness to the possibilities of forgiveness and rehabilitation.
August 5, 2019
This was a POWERFUL READ!
This book along about Rev. Smith's work behind the walls to inmates is truly inspiring. It has really ministered to me. I cried several times throughout this read as I gained a deeper understanding of God's love for the least of these. God bless those who give their lives in prison ministry. I am challenged and encouraged to love others that society has rejected all the more after this book!
This book along about Rev. Smith's work behind the walls to inmates is truly inspiring. It has really ministered to me. I cried several times throughout this read as I gained a deeper understanding of God's love for the least of these. God bless those who give their lives in prison ministry. I am challenged and encouraged to love others that society has rejected all the more after this book!
October 7, 2023
This isn’t necessarily a bad book, it just not exactly reflective of the title. I would say probably 25% is stories about the inmates, 40% is about the ministry in prison, and 35% is autobiography.
Also as someone who is not religious, there were times when this book felt a little too much like a conversion tactic. I do think Rev. Smith is very unbiased about others’ beliefs though.
Also as someone who is not religious, there were times when this book felt a little too much like a conversion tactic. I do think Rev. Smith is very unbiased about others’ beliefs though.
January 14, 2018
This was a quick and interesting read. I enjoyed all of the stories throughout each chapter. This book provides a unique glimpse into the unfamiliar world of the prison system, while also shedding hope on what comes across as a dreary topic. I would definitely recommend this to anyone.
October 17, 2018
Good read.
Enjoyed reading this page turner. I would have rated it a 5, but, left me wanted to know more about some of the prisoners. Otherwise, it’s a STRONG 4 for a book well written.
Enjoyed reading this page turner. I would have rated it a 5, but, left me wanted to know more about some of the prisoners. Otherwise, it’s a STRONG 4 for a book well written.
February 12, 2019
Quick, easy read. I worked in a prison for two years so I was excited to read this. With that said, I was left a little disappointed. I was expecting much less autobiography and much more inmate stories.
January 5, 2020
Such inspiring and inspiration come from all pages. Not my usual read but found it held my interest. I loved reading about the inmates lives. All that the chaplain did for the prisoners and staff really have an everlasting impact.
May 19, 2024
3.5 rounded up. It was interesting to read about some of the inmates and some programs in the prison. Learning the horrible start to life the author had and how his life was turned around was inspiring too.
June 3, 2019
Great book. Wish it was longer with more detail regarding the inmates. Was more of a summery. Great book and insight.
November 3, 2020
Wow, tough stuff. It’s hard to hear these stories but glad I did.
November 4, 2022
This book surprised me and I couldn’t put it down! Incredible stories and extremely encouraging and an easy going read.
July 15, 2024
Great stories from a man doing great work in a not so great place
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