Customer Reviews

Alcatraz from Inside: The Hard Years 1942-1952

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While Alcatraz is the centerpoint of the book, the overall story is about a young man's life and how it changes--how it is forcibly changed, rather, through a prison system that had reached its limit with him. Though he describes other prisons (including San Quinten), it is Alcatraz that breaks him of his youthful attitudes of rebellion and crime. And that's how Alcatraz was to him and others--not a place of rehabilitation nor even pennance, but a place meant to break them and make them harmless, or kill them. The awful sense of frustration and desperation that must accompany prison life comes through vividly in his narrative.

The story is told with honesty. I felt I had a sense of him as a young man, and later as an older one facing the real, adult world for the first time. Stories of Alcatraz itself, and its escapes, are well-told from an insider's view, with only hints of residual anger.

Gripping account of how Jim Quillen's life of crime started during his childhood, culminating in his incarceration at Alcatraz. He describes in great detail, life at Alcatraz, infamous inmates that were there with him, and escape attampts (including the famous and bloody 1946 attempt that was made into a TV movie). The last part of the book deals with how he turned his life around towards the end of his sentence at Alcatraz and what he has been doing for the past 30+ years as a free man.

You will come away with some incredible insights into criminal life, the penal system, and man's ability to survive, adapt, and most importantly--change.

A truly suberb, heart warming account of Jim Quillen's life. Having met Jim on Alcatraz in 1997. I felt nothing but sympathy and admiration for this man who had suffered so much. Anna

I have visited Alcatraz. When you visit the prison you get a real awakening on how the prisoners must have felt when freedom was at their doorstep. If you haven't been their I have two recommendations. First get the Movie "Escape from Alcatraz" with Clint Eastwood playing Frank Lee Morris, you'll get a nice "bird's eye" view. Then after that get The Book by Jim Quillen,(now deceased)describes how he spent 10 years of his life there and tried to escape and witnessed one of the great attempts in 1946 to escape (the battle of Alcatraz). The book is basically an autobiography of Jim Quillen and how he got to Alcatraz and got out to be a productive individual in society. Mr. Quillen often will discuss his feelings and opinion of the prison system, which he felt was inhumane. However indirectly he was quietly grateful that he was allowed to rehabilitate and become an outstanding citizen. The book is worth the read and it is very hard to put it down. It's a relatively moderate paced reading (143 pages) but you may want to reread some areas as he goes into superb detail of the surroundings and the other cons (or fish, as they called the cons). If you ever visit Alcatraz you can hear his voice on the National Park prison tour CD that is available.

The best is to go there, but if you can't get the movie and this book. You may be reading late into the night!

This is the first book I read on the subject of Alcatraz. I have since read four more but this is, in my opinion, the best. A firsthand account of life inside the prison, I began to feel as if I was with the author and could see through his eyes. I would recommend this book to anyone interestend in Alcatraz or prison life.

This book is a very compelling story of the life of Jim Quillen and his time at Alcatraz and other institutions. This book will keep you on the edge of your seat waiting to read what happens next. Extremely well written, very thoughtful, and seemingly very honest account of what this man experienced. You will find yourself in tears at a few points throughout the story as the author really give you a feel for the fear, anxiety, adrenaline, anticipation, depression, and so many other emotions he experienced. Hands down, one of the best books I've ever read. I would highly recommend this to anyone interested in Alcatraz, or to anyone who wants to read a rivetting book that page after page, keeps your heart and mind begging for more.

Have read this book and meetMR Quillen who also autographed book for me. Waiting for film to be made based on this book. It will be an oscar winner.

Did the Alcatraz tour in July 11' and interested in the stories of Jim Quillen. A bookstore seller recommended this as an interesting account, so I purchased it. While the writing is obviously not that of a seasoned writer - I really enjoyed his life story and time on the Rock. It was especially touching to hear of his coming home to Christ and his faith. Life is never truly hopeless - people can change with God's grace

I have been involed in criminal justice practice and education for several years. This book is one of the BEST first hand accounts of prison life I have ever read. A plus was that I got to meet the author on Alacatraz during a visit in 1996. We spoke at some length and he signed a copy of the book for me. I was sorry to hear when I went back a few years later for a return visit to the "Rock" that he had died. This book is a keeper for your library!

This happens to be one of my favorite books about Alcatraz. Nicely written and very insightful to prison life in what was the most famous prison in American history. The book has some wonderful info on the Riot's of 46'. Quillen has since passed away but story will live on....