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Proved Innocent
One of four innocent people convicted of a terrorist bombing in Guildford, England, tells of the miscarriage of justice that resulted in imprisonment for himself and members of his family, including his father, and describes the struggle to clear his name and gain his freedom.
256 pages, Paperback
First published June 11, 1990
26 people are currently reading
1699 people want to read
About the author
Gerry Conlon
2 books8 followersGerard Patrick Conlon was a Northern Irish man known for being one of the Guildford Four who spent 15 years in prison after being wrongly convicted of being a Provisional IRA bomber.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
March 28, 2013
The powerful and true story of Gerry Colon should be known by everyone. To never forget and so that history never, ever repeats itself.
February 6, 2010
Gross miscarriages of justice continue across the world. Gerry Conlon's story and the events which resulted in his 15 year incarceration, the incarceration of his father and family members, none of whom had any remote connection to the crime for which they were unjustly punished, is incredible. His father's experience was the saddest but most poignant and hopeful aspects of the story for me.
May 9, 2021
Cuando muera no quiero que agredas a ningún guardia. Quiero que empieces a lavar tu nombre. Mi muerte va a lavar tu nombre y, cuando tu nombre esté limpio, tú lavarás el mío.
Muy bueno. Pienso que como autobiografía cumple más que como crónica de un suceso. Desde que comienza a cumplir condena y empieza el relato de su paso por las diferentes prisiones, me decepcionó un poco. Esperaba otra cosa, no sé, quizás un poco más de profundidad en su relación adentro con los reos y los guardias; hay que considerar que estuvo 15 años encerrado, pero leyendo no se sintieron así de largos. Así que creo que esa es la razón principal por la que no logró conmoverme ni encantarme del todo.
Sin embargo, por otro lado, me gusta mucho la honestidad que la rodea. Se nota que Gerry Conlon no es escritor, porque no centra demasiado sus esfuerzos en detallar ni hacer descripciones para crear escenarios, sino que narra todo de acuerdo a lo que él considera importante y en especial, denunciable. En ese sentido, es precioso que este libro haya sido su manera de "vengarse" de todos aquellos que le hicieron daño. Y al mismo tiempo, es también un modo de ajusticiar y homenajear tanto a sus familiares y la pequeña porción del oeste de Belfast en la que creció, como al resto de las personas que sufrieron la corrupción y tortura de la justicia y policía inglesa. Aunque sin duda, pese a que el título puede hacer alusión a la religión y a la posición superior que supone tener Inglaterra dentro del Reino Unido, efectivamente es una carta de amor a su papá a su padre, Giuseppe Conlon. No es que el relato gire en todo momento en torno a él, pero su naturaleza inquebrantable, lo convierte en la figura principal de la vida de Gerry.
Una lectura sin duda plagada de momentos que causan rabia e impotencia, pero a la vez, muy ligera, amena y cercana.
Muy bueno. Pienso que como autobiografía cumple más que como crónica de un suceso. Desde que comienza a cumplir condena y empieza el relato de su paso por las diferentes prisiones, me decepcionó un poco. Esperaba otra cosa, no sé, quizás un poco más de profundidad en su relación adentro con los reos y los guardias; hay que considerar que estuvo 15 años encerrado, pero leyendo no se sintieron así de largos. Así que creo que esa es la razón principal por la que no logró conmoverme ni encantarme del todo.
Sin embargo, por otro lado, me gusta mucho la honestidad que la rodea. Se nota que Gerry Conlon no es escritor, porque no centra demasiado sus esfuerzos en detallar ni hacer descripciones para crear escenarios, sino que narra todo de acuerdo a lo que él considera importante y en especial, denunciable. En ese sentido, es precioso que este libro haya sido su manera de "vengarse" de todos aquellos que le hicieron daño. Y al mismo tiempo, es también un modo de ajusticiar y homenajear tanto a sus familiares y la pequeña porción del oeste de Belfast en la que creció, como al resto de las personas que sufrieron la corrupción y tortura de la justicia y policía inglesa. Aunque sin duda, pese a que el título puede hacer alusión a la religión y a la posición superior que supone tener Inglaterra dentro del Reino Unido, efectivamente es una carta de amor a su papá a su padre, Giuseppe Conlon. No es que el relato gire en todo momento en torno a él, pero su naturaleza inquebrantable, lo convierte en la figura principal de la vida de Gerry.
Una lectura sin duda plagada de momentos que causan rabia e impotencia, pero a la vez, muy ligera, amena y cercana.
July 9, 2009
While (obviously) told from Conlon's perspective, the story focuses largely on his successful relationships with friends and family - both in and out of the English prison system. These personal connections support that Conlon, while not a heroic character, is at least an honest one. His story of endurance through political, religious, and legal torture is impressive, and he fairly describes the respective hostile environment(s) of each setting. The book falls through, however, in its affinity for spoilers within short chapters; the concise 'thesis' of a section might be stated in the opening paragraphs, or the chapter title itself might give it away. (This is especially disheartening to one already familiar with the 1993 Daniel Day-Lewis movie.) Still, this story of an innocent man's luck and misfortune contains many surprises.
June 5, 2013
This is a good book about how the British government perverted the justice system in order to railroad these 4 people into prison. While the movie is superb and Daniel Day Lewis's star quality brings international publicity to this miscarriage of justice, you must read the book to understand the full measure and lengths that the British Government go to to get convictions.
September 22, 2021
El libro es un doloroso relato autobiográfico sobre ser acusado y encarcelado injustamente por un delito que no se ha cometido. Además, dada la gravedad de la acusación, el protagonista hace un recorrido de quince años por un sinfín de cárceles inglesas en las que los abusos de autoridad y los maltratos son el día a día. Llama la atención poder empatizar con un protagonista que no es un héroe intachable, sino más bien un ratero común que estuvo en el momento y lugar equivocados. Es un ejemplo real de los errores del sistema judicial y de como estos pueden destrozar las vidas de muchas personas. Una reflexión interesante se hace cuando se recuerda que, si todavía hubiera habido pena de muerte, ninguno de los cuatro acusados habría llegado a ver el final de la historia.
February 16, 2024
Funny, sad, informative. The British justice system still probs just as fucked.
January 30, 2008
I saw the film adaptation of Gerry Conlon's memoir of his imprisonment in England when the movie first came out. I was immediately drawn into the story by Day-Lewis' performance, the outragous abomination of being judged by a corrupt system, and the gripping and devastating loss of his father.
The movie took some liberties by showing the father/son relationship enhanced by sharing a cell in prison, which they never did in real life.
When I went to Dublin we got a tour of one of the oldest 'modern' jails in Ireland and it looked exactly like the prison in the movie. I stepped into the cell and shuddered at the thought of being forced to live in a place like that for seventeen years, accused of murdering innocent people, watching a parent, also accused of murder, die by your side. It made my stomach turn and I wept.
I came home, ordered the book and read Conlon's story as well as another book by Robert Kee, which opened the case again, revitalizing the efforts to seek justice for the wrongly imprisoned Guilford Four and the Maguire Seven.
If this book doesn't raise your blood pressure over the miscarriage of justice, the arrogance of leadership and the need for each individual to judge according to their conscience and not their prejudices, nothing will.
HIGHLY recommend the movie, too. Heavy on the launguage, but they're punk Irish kids. What'd-ya gonna do.
The movie took some liberties by showing the father/son relationship enhanced by sharing a cell in prison, which they never did in real life.
When I went to Dublin we got a tour of one of the oldest 'modern' jails in Ireland and it looked exactly like the prison in the movie. I stepped into the cell and shuddered at the thought of being forced to live in a place like that for seventeen years, accused of murdering innocent people, watching a parent, also accused of murder, die by your side. It made my stomach turn and I wept.
I came home, ordered the book and read Conlon's story as well as another book by Robert Kee, which opened the case again, revitalizing the efforts to seek justice for the wrongly imprisoned Guilford Four and the Maguire Seven.
If this book doesn't raise your blood pressure over the miscarriage of justice, the arrogance of leadership and the need for each individual to judge according to their conscience and not their prejudices, nothing will.
HIGHLY recommend the movie, too. Heavy on the launguage, but they're punk Irish kids. What'd-ya gonna do.
September 27, 2012
True story of the Guildford four! Awesome <3
January 21, 2020
15 years in prison for a crime he didn't commit! Shame, shame I say!
Reading this book I went through a whole range of emotions. The account that Gerry gives of his life and how all things went straight to hell were of a huge importance in the 90'. His story and the story of the other accused of being terrorists without any proof, and evidence what so ever, and being condemned to life imprisonment as scapegoats shook the West to the core.
It is a powerful book, worth reading for anyone who would like to see what it means to be condemned unjustly, and spend 15 years in prison for a crime you did not commit, and how the legal system sometimes fails so miserable as to put innocent men and women in prison, and that out of convenience.
I sprint through the book, and by the end I was in tears, being so happy that justice was done and that he got out, and rightfully so. Catharsis, I think, is the best word to describe the euphoria that I felt reading the final pages of the book.
All in all, it is an amazing book that will grab anyone by the throat and will keep them turning page after page.
Great book!
Reading this book I went through a whole range of emotions. The account that Gerry gives of his life and how all things went straight to hell were of a huge importance in the 90'. His story and the story of the other accused of being terrorists without any proof, and evidence what so ever, and being condemned to life imprisonment as scapegoats shook the West to the core.
It is a powerful book, worth reading for anyone who would like to see what it means to be condemned unjustly, and spend 15 years in prison for a crime you did not commit, and how the legal system sometimes fails so miserable as to put innocent men and women in prison, and that out of convenience.
I sprint through the book, and by the end I was in tears, being so happy that justice was done and that he got out, and rightfully so. Catharsis, I think, is the best word to describe the euphoria that I felt reading the final pages of the book.
All in all, it is an amazing book that will grab anyone by the throat and will keep them turning page after page.
Great book!
March 11, 2020
A tough read! The brutality of the English against the Catholics in Northern Ireland was enraging causing me to stand up and walk around many a time. It was truly unconscionable. Yet two similarities to contemporary culture stood out. England passed the "Prevention of Terrorism Act" a week before the bombing that sparked the story. And who could be against a bill such titled? Among other things it allowed the police to arrest an individual without charges or access to an attorney for up to a week without having to inform anybody. The second issue was the repeated and widespread use of torture. Fast forwarding to today, America passed the "Patriot Act". And who could be against a bill such titled? Among many, many other things it allows the police to arrest an individual and be held without charges for up to a YEAR. Secondly America's use of Guantanamo Bay as a torture camp kept running through my mind as I read Gerry's travails.
The movie is one of my favorites so the whole time I pictured Gerry Conlon as that dashing last Mohican. In the Name of the Father....Five Stars.
The movie is one of my favorites so the whole time I pictured Gerry Conlon as that dashing last Mohican. In the Name of the Father....Five Stars.
July 16, 2019
I have been waiting for years to read this book, the movie being one of my all time favorites. The book is even better as it frequently happens. It is a tough read, the thought of the beatings and the tortures these people had to suffer knowing all the time that they were innocent is something which is hard to bear. It has been one of the worst miscarriages of justice (or at least the worst documented one) in England and Conlon tells the story of the Guildford 4 as well the one of other irish prisoners unjustly convicted. He goes back to his childhood, to the unfair treatment he and the catholic people of Belfast suffered for years until he was forced to leave. Injustice is everywhere in this book and you end up wondering how did Conlon and the others manage to survive until freedom finally came.
February 19, 2025
This is an exceptional account of one of the most disgusting miscarriages of justice ever seen in a British court. You could even say it wasn't a miscarriage of justice but more of an outright stitch-up, given that the authorities quite literally forced confessions out of him and the others whilst practically knowing they were not responsible. It's the kind of treatment I don't think authorities would get away with today.
I find it hard to call it a "great read" exactly, given the nature of the story, but Gerry did a great job of it regardless. Part of me was worried the book was written and published too soon after his release (with the writing taking place 7 months after his release). Still, then again, it's more than possible he had already thought about telling his story during the many years he was held hostage.
I find it hard to call it a "great read" exactly, given the nature of the story, but Gerry did a great job of it regardless. Part of me was worried the book was written and published too soon after his release (with the writing taking place 7 months after his release). Still, then again, it's more than possible he had already thought about telling his story during the many years he was held hostage.
August 21, 2022
astonishing book, this is one of the best books i have ever read!
with ‘in the name of the father’ (1993) being one of my all time favourite films i felt as if i knew this story inside out. this book not only offers a wealth of detail that, understandably, was cut out of the film, but also shows the determination and will power of gerry conlon as well as his family and peers.
this story is horrifying and, frankly, unbelievable but entirely necessary in showing the experiences of not only wrongly imprisoned people but also the treatment of irish citizens by the media, the justice system, the government and, especially, by the brits throughout the troubles.
with ‘in the name of the father’ (1993) being one of my all time favourite films i felt as if i knew this story inside out. this book not only offers a wealth of detail that, understandably, was cut out of the film, but also shows the determination and will power of gerry conlon as well as his family and peers.
this story is horrifying and, frankly, unbelievable but entirely necessary in showing the experiences of not only wrongly imprisoned people but also the treatment of irish citizens by the media, the justice system, the government and, especially, by the brits throughout the troubles.
June 18, 2024
This is such an important read, sometimes reality is crazier than fiction and this miscarriage of justice is truly one of the worst I have ever seen. Young people losing over a decade of their lives due to discrimination and the victims of the tragedy never receiving justice. Fuck the police, fuck the English Establishment and may Conlon rest in peace. It is amazing to hear this experience in his own words, the reality of everyday life in English prisons while being Irish Catholics accused of a horrific crime is harrowing. Worth a read, and I definitely want to read more books about the Troubles.
September 14, 2020
Miscarriage of justice exists everywhere. In this account, it is found in England and involves the Irish. Gerry and several others had no association with the IRA, yet they were sentenced to crimes they didn't commit because of others who didn't care about justice but rather finding someone to "pay". The injustice continued in prison where they were treated more harshly than others. Well worth a read for anyone who cares about all people who are victimized by the system.
May 17, 2025
Conocí el caso por la película homónima. Recuerdo que fue dolorosa de ver y, ya sabiendo a lo que me afrontaba decidí buscar el libro… Una parte de mí se arrepiente. Hay más de un detalle que entiendo que han cambiado en la película para que la sangre no te hierva de maneras violentas y el corazón se te deshaga a pedazos. Un libro muy duro, crudo y escrito por alguien con mucho dolor en sus palabras.
September 8, 2018
This was a powerful read. Just like the movie. It's unbelievable how any justice system can miss treat people. I guess the statement of "what doesn't kill you... makes you stronger" holds true.
Even though all involved want to put there experience behind them, I'd still would like to read an update.
Even though all involved want to put there experience behind them, I'd still would like to read an update.
April 19, 2021
This book is one of my favorites. First, I love non-fiction. Such an incredibly poignant and intense book, so well written. And the movie...well, of all the movies I've seen based on a true story, this is my favorite. While reading and then watching the movie, I sobbed uncontrollably. I highly recommend it.
June 25, 2024
A quick but well-written read. A perspective on the conflict in Ireland that is much needed. Here you can truly see how the British have felt about the Irish for 8 centuries. You can see their brutality and how a miscarriage of justice will turn the lives of innocent people into hell. It can happen anywhere, even in the “democratic West”.
July 18, 2024
Libro molto avvincente anche se con termini all'inizio molto tecnici. L'ho letto in inglese e alcune parole ci ho messo un po' a capirle: screws = le guardie carcerarie, hooch = liquore fatto nelle celle con avanzi di frutta macerata, quashing = annullamento, on remand = in custodia cautelare, gerrymandering = brogli elettorali, loitering = vagabondaggio, RUC = Rotal Ulster Constabulary, CID = criminale investigation department, CS gas = tear gas, snout = tabacco... Dopo le prime pagine iniziali si prende confidenza con lo slang da carcere e risulta essere una lettura piacevole
July 16, 2019
Slow to start but picked up nicely. I'd seen the movie and knew the general story, but the book obviously goes into more detail. I wish it'd had an epilogue or post-script about what Conlon is up to now, but I was reading an older edition.
March 28, 2023
Interesting story I knew nothing about. Such a stressful and irritating story about a police force finding scapegoats because their government demanded results. The truth was never a consideration. It truly terrifying to put yourself in those shoes.
Want to read
August 2, 2025___________________________________
FROM BOOK: Un giorno della mia vita. L'inferno del carcere e la tragedia dell'Irlanda (Bobby Sands)
FROM BOOK: Un giorno della mia vita. L'inferno del carcere e la tragedia dell'Irlanda (Bobby Sands)
March 4, 2018
a gripping read about injustice and how bad the Guildford 4 were treated
August 1, 2018
Excellent book, but it was infuriating to read about this awful miscarriage of justice. The movie was fantastic with a great cast.
August 15, 2018
Beautiful and touchy, yet inspiring and sometimes revolting.
January 22, 2019
Astonishing and heart breaking.
September 22, 2019
A gripping true story about a significant miscarriage of justice and the brutality of the English prison system.
February 9, 2020
Hard to read but good to know his story
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews