What do you think?
Rate this book
Lessons from San Quentin: Everything I Needed to Know about Life I Learned in Prison
Real-estate entrepreneur Bill Dallas's charmed life changed dramatically when he was charged, convicted, and sentenced to five years in prison for grand-theft embezzlement. Lessons from San Quentin tells the amazing true story of how one man's life was changed for the better due to the hardships encountered at the legendary maximum-security prison. Using stories and reflections from life on the inside, Bill teaches 12 core principles that will inspire readers to use tough times to develop the character God wants them to have. Chapter headings (1) Life in the Median Strip; (2) I am H64741; (3) Embrace Your Trials; (4) Cling to Hope; (5) Express Yourself through Your Work; (6) Choose Sustaining Faith; (7) Get Your Self-Image Right; (8) Get Rid of Self-Absorption; (9) Shape Your Attitude; (10) Give Respect; (11) Persevere Until You “Get It”; (12) Let Life Come to You; (13) Make Life Simple; (14) Find Freedom in Forgiveness; (15) Life after Prison; (16) He Was Always in Control.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2009
7 people are currently reading
105 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
May 28, 2009
Easy read and straight to the point. It's refreshing and encouraging for me to read the story of Bill Dallas. The thought of jail/prison can be so discouraging and frustrating for many of us in jail ministry. As dark of a place as it is, and as inappropriate for human as it seems, surprisingly the prison to Bill Dallas was a place where he found transformation and hope through Christ and also through his friendship with the Lifers. For example, the lack of personal choices in prison would be a horrific concept for most of us. Bill Dallas, however, learned the lesson of living a simple life and finding contentment in it. His words in the Chapter "Making Life Simple": "So what did San Quentin teach me about the simple life? Perhaps it has to begin with a way of thinking. We believe that we can control our lives and produce better outcomes if we have more options from which to choose. Our view is that the greater the number of accessible alternatives we have, the better off we will be. But being ripped from the cultural environment long enough to get that perspective out of my system showed me the fallcy of such 'more is better' thinking."
I think this is a good book to read, especially for anyone who works with people in jail/prison. It's easy to become discouraged for me and start feeling sorry for the people who are locked up, but this story reminds me that the power of Christ can penetrate those thick walls and He is alive even in those dark places transforming people, breathing new life in seemingly dead places in our hearts.
This book can also be a great gift to anyone (who is a Christian) in jail/prison. The lessons learned by Bill Dallas from San Quentin can be valuable insights and can provide great hope for those who are locked up or are feeling despair.
I think this is a good book to read, especially for anyone who works with people in jail/prison. It's easy to become discouraged for me and start feeling sorry for the people who are locked up, but this story reminds me that the power of Christ can penetrate those thick walls and He is alive even in those dark places transforming people, breathing new life in seemingly dead places in our hearts.
This book can also be a great gift to anyone (who is a Christian) in jail/prison. The lessons learned by Bill Dallas from San Quentin can be valuable insights and can provide great hope for those who are locked up or are feeling despair.
January 22, 2011
Book about a man that had everything, then lost it all and went to prison for fraud. Tells his life in San Quentin and how he changed his life from the inmates actions and his observations from prison life.
May 25, 2022
I was expecting a little different of a story but the title reflects the exact context of the book. I think it was interesting to hear his experience and a blessing to read of his salvation and how his life was transformed. I didn’t necessarily love the format of it though. Sometimes I felt like some of it was a bit repetitive.
November 7, 2020
Easy read and inspiring. The prose style is simple and engaging. It thought me a lot about prison life and life in general. I was glad to have a copy of this book as a gift. It was a fun and engaging read during my breaktime at work.
January 25, 2021
I was actually surprised with this book, it goes into an area in which I don't normally read; yet I ended up really enjoying it. The Author's writing style is one of the reason for that, I believe; it was really easy to follow but it still gave some emphasis behind the author's story.
September 10, 2021
God is present. His is merciful. This is the story that Bill shares as he reveals the events of his life and Gods faithful mercy.
July 30, 2022
Loved this book. An easy read with good takeaways but told as a story. An incredible testimony.
December 20, 2009
I find these kind of stories irresistable. This one has both good and bad qualities being about prison and finding God.I do think there is some correlation to being down and out and finding God. This book focused on how men in prison do this. The glimpses of life there were fleeting but felt true, and not for "show".
The good: I do very much like the author's chapters on self image and self obsession, I think his take on why prisoners return to prison is the best reason I've ever read. Which is that their self image is so skewed that they can't see reality. They believe they are something they are not. They live in this reality on the outside and return to it after release. Those that turn to God find that God accepts them for exactly who they really are, and that that true acceptance is what they have been craving all along.
The bad: This book is not written well, and is separated into chapters of "lessons". It is published by a religious publisher, and there are quotes from the New Testament, backing each lesson. But that is not the reason I am critical or even why I picked it up. I like a book more when there is a plot or chronological type of yarn... I think that this lesson structure works for this book only sometimes, but his story is oddly forced into this framework at times. How he gets in and what happens at the end of that segment of his life seem awkward. The story loses focus after he leaves prison. There is really no dialogue and feeling of what it must be like to live in this place, despite the fact that he describes his cell several times using nearly exactly the same words. The characters who are the most important, the "lifers" are the most powerful when the author tells their stories of redemption or forgiveness and peace. I would have loved to have heard a conversation but I do not think that is the authors forte.
The good: I do very much like the author's chapters on self image and self obsession, I think his take on why prisoners return to prison is the best reason I've ever read. Which is that their self image is so skewed that they can't see reality. They believe they are something they are not. They live in this reality on the outside and return to it after release. Those that turn to God find that God accepts them for exactly who they really are, and that that true acceptance is what they have been craving all along.
The bad: This book is not written well, and is separated into chapters of "lessons". It is published by a religious publisher, and there are quotes from the New Testament, backing each lesson. But that is not the reason I am critical or even why I picked it up. I like a book more when there is a plot or chronological type of yarn... I think that this lesson structure works for this book only sometimes, but his story is oddly forced into this framework at times. How he gets in and what happens at the end of that segment of his life seem awkward. The story loses focus after he leaves prison. There is really no dialogue and feeling of what it must be like to live in this place, despite the fact that he describes his cell several times using nearly exactly the same words. The characters who are the most important, the "lifers" are the most powerful when the author tells their stories of redemption or forgiveness and peace. I would have loved to have heard a conversation but I do not think that is the authors forte.
May 28, 2009
This book provides a great contrast to so many fictionalized accounts of prison. The author goes to prison, suffers terribly because of his grief over his fate, then begins to recover when one of the 'lifers' persuades him to accept a job as a sweeper. Thus begins the former wheeler-dealer's penitence (in the classic sense) and his recovery, much of which involves learning the value of work--even very simple work--and the role work plays in a man's life.
From the lifers he learns to accept his fate, to slow down and take life more simply, to trust God and stop acting as if life owes him something. Meanwhile, Dallas watches the other short-timers continue to stew in their own bitterness and self-absorbtion. The contrast between the short-timers, who think only about themselves and getting out, and the lifers, who can only find peace by focusing on God, Heaven, and the simple pleasures of grace, is startling.
Although not all lifers have so accepted their fate, many Dallas met at San Quentin had. This was obviously a side to life-in-prison that you don't see in the movies.
The book includes a lot of simple but wise lessons, short "devotions" on things like the importance of getting out of the rat race or being accountable to someone. While these passages may seem slow, they are not badly written and as "devotional material" can be quite good, if read that way. Otherwise, they can seem an interruption in an otherwise fascinating narrative/memoir.
From the lifers he learns to accept his fate, to slow down and take life more simply, to trust God and stop acting as if life owes him something. Meanwhile, Dallas watches the other short-timers continue to stew in their own bitterness and self-absorbtion. The contrast between the short-timers, who think only about themselves and getting out, and the lifers, who can only find peace by focusing on God, Heaven, and the simple pleasures of grace, is startling.
Although not all lifers have so accepted their fate, many Dallas met at San Quentin had. This was obviously a side to life-in-prison that you don't see in the movies.
The book includes a lot of simple but wise lessons, short "devotions" on things like the importance of getting out of the rat race or being accountable to someone. While these passages may seem slow, they are not badly written and as "devotional material" can be quite good, if read that way. Otherwise, they can seem an interruption in an otherwise fascinating narrative/memoir.
May 23, 2012
Wow, what an amazing book. I was quickly drawn into Bill's story of transformation from a selfish, godless human, to one devoted to his faith and living for God. This is a must read for all that are in the prison ministry, know of someone in the prison ministry, or are or have been in prison. I only wish it were currently available in paperback so I could order several copies for the inmates that I write to.
What a wonderful message of how God can transform our lives if only we allow Him to. Everything in this book is what I believe in, yet Bill has brought it to life in the pages in a way that will penetrate your soul, and having you saying, "yes, only God".
I hope that after reading this book and others like it, you will gain some insight to those that find their way into the prison system. That they too are people loved by God and created for a purpose, and deserve respect. There's not one of us who hasn't sinned or made mistakes.
If this story has tugged at your heart and made you think about those locked behind bars in a new way, check out the prison ministries available through your local church. I'm the coordinator for the adult prison pen pal program though my church. We go through, Christian Pen Pal. Check out their website at, christian-penpals.com. Their a great organization that matched up inmates with Christian volunteers. It's a wonderful ministry, one that will bless you beyond the blessing you will bring to others.
What a wonderful message of how God can transform our lives if only we allow Him to. Everything in this book is what I believe in, yet Bill has brought it to life in the pages in a way that will penetrate your soul, and having you saying, "yes, only God".
I hope that after reading this book and others like it, you will gain some insight to those that find their way into the prison system. That they too are people loved by God and created for a purpose, and deserve respect. There's not one of us who hasn't sinned or made mistakes.
If this story has tugged at your heart and made you think about those locked behind bars in a new way, check out the prison ministries available through your local church. I'm the coordinator for the adult prison pen pal program though my church. We go through, Christian Pen Pal. Check out their website at, christian-penpals.com. Their a great organization that matched up inmates with Christian volunteers. It's a wonderful ministry, one that will bless you beyond the blessing you will bring to others.
September 14, 2009
A captivating story detailing the changes God wrought in the life of Bill Dallas as he served a 5 year sentence in one of the nation's toughest prisons. Here he shares the lessons God taught him through San Quentin's "Lifers" and he passes those revelations along to the reader in an engaging and conversational style. The lessons are practical and applicable to every Christian walk and is a testimony to the amazing power of God to change and transform lives and lead even the most hopeless of souls into a relationship with Him.
June 7, 2014
I really liked this book. A great read for any Christian. Two favorite quotes: " Christianity is not something you do, it is about the relationship with God and who you become through that divine connection." AND "Hope is not just a good feeling about what's to come. Hope is an improbable, but unshakable certainty that things will work out."
I really enjoyed his views on how God has a plan for each of us, He will reach out to us and transform our lives if we will turn our lives to him, slow down and take life one day at a time.
I really enjoyed his views on how God has a plan for each of us, He will reach out to us and transform our lives if we will turn our lives to him, slow down and take life one day at a time.
March 27, 2009
This book offers simplistic advice about how to live life from the perspective of a prison inmate. Although it means well, the pat answers and uninvolved suggestions for how to live the gospel left me unsatisfied. The author suggests that if you follow his rules then your life will all work out great. I wish it were that easy. If you have never read anything concerning Christianity this is a very simplistic explanation.
December 31, 2011
I picked up this book out of blind curiosity. Boy am I glad I did. The book was very well written. This is the story of an overly ambitious and unethical young man who was one-part smart and two-parts greedy with an ego the size of Mount Rushmore. The trail of events leading to his conversion read like a movie. His landing in San Quentin probably saved his life both physically and, more importantly, spiritually. Lots of gems and nuggets in this book. Get it and you'll be glad you did.
July 14, 2014
(Actual rating 3 1/2 stars) The story of Bill Dallas and his life before, during, and after his five-year prison sentence was very encouraging. Though I have some differences with elements of Dallas' theology and philosophy, his understanding of God's sovereignty over every element, good and bad, in our lives was powerfully demonstrated. His story is a brilliant example of the practical truth of complete forgiveness given to those submitted to God.
May 31, 2009
The principles were good. The writing was mediocre. I liked the book, but I would liked to have had a bit more of the author's personal story. His three fold chapter division was ok, but it disrupted the flow to some degree.
June 19, 2009
Bill lets us into his life through his telling of the lessons God taught him the hard way. What a blessing he is to the church because of what God did in his life. Thank you for the many relevant principles shared within the pages of this book.
April 21, 2015
Let life come to you rather than trying to retain control over everything is a transforming principle from Lessons from San Quentin that I needed to hear. I did not think it was “a riveting story” like Chuck Colson did, but a worthwhile read with practical lessons.
March 1, 2009
Highly repetitive.
July 11, 2009
This is a must read!
November 10, 2010
Could have told his story and the lessons he learned with far fewer words and pages. Encouraging, but too slow and redundant in many parts.
August 20, 2012
Repetitive and condescending and really one of the most annoying reads I can remember.
December 4, 2013
Thank You Bill Dallas...your insights are very useful, your life is very inspiring...thank you for sharing.
April 29, 2014
I thought it was a memoir -- silly me.
October 27, 2014
There where bits of his life. The bulk of the book was biblical passages that changed his life. I learned a few things and got a new insight into others.
June 3, 2009
Really liked this book. Go Bill!
May 15, 2010
True story of how prison changed a young business tychoon.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews