Lessons from San Quentin: Everything I Needed to Know about Life I Learned in Prison [Hardcover]

Bill Dallas (Author), George Barna (Contributor)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 23, 2009

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 include: (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.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The CEO of Church Communications Network wraps his story of going to prison around the core principles of life he learned there. With coauthor Barna, a researcher and cultural critic, Dallas tells stories of people he meets in San Quentin prison; the group he learns the most from are the Lifers, those sentenced to life terms in prison. One of the long-term men Dallas meets who shapes his experiences is Vy Le, a Vietnamese immigrant who conquered revenge through a relationship with Jesus that began in an isolation cell. A central feature in the book is a section in each chapter with principles that center on humility, determination and trust in God. Otherwise good stories are told with a lack of suspense and drama in favor of highlighting principles. Readers will also find a challenging series of questions to help them discover how self-absorbed they are. Those looking for riches-to-rags-to-success stories will find a passionate case for avoiding the pitfalls of the financial crime Dallas committed and living a principled life. (Feb.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

In February 1993, Dallas entered San Quentin prison, having been convicted of grand-theft embezzlement. He was a con artist whose life in the fast lane came screeching to a halt, leaving him floundering, looking for some way to redeem himself in his own eyes. While in prison, Dallas, who had become a Christian shortly before his conviction, learned that with extreme hardship also comes the opportunity to make fundamental changes in who we are. Now the CEO of the Church Communication Network, Dallas shares his experiences, with the help of coauthor Barna, in an open, straightforward, and reflective manner. In many ways this is a typical self-help book, addressing such familiar topics as living up to one’s potential, seizing every opportunity, and learning humility and restraint, but the added religious element gives the book wider appeal. Dallas writes with an appealing sincerity and tells his hard-knocks tale effectively. --David Pitt

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.; 1 edition (January 23, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1414326564
• ISBN-13: 978-1414326566
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #424,545 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Modern day story of the Loyalty of God, January 22, 2009

By 

Toni Pierce "girlygirl" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Lessons from San Quentin: Everything I Needed to Know about Life I Learned in Prison (Hardcover)

Lessons From San Quentin.
Kudos to Bill Dallas and George Barna
A must for everyone. I could not put this fast pace, interesting book down. I read it in one setting. The honesty of Bill Dallas of his errors, hopelessness, and brokenness is refreshing.
This book is so relevant, thousands are currently loosing jobs, homes, and retirement that they worked for and feel hopeless and lost. .It is an encouraging reminder of the sovereignty of God and how in the midst of darkness and pain He will send peoples into our lives to lift us up and a reminder that whatever we are facing today. He has a plan and is not taken by surprise by the circumstances that surround us .It is a modern day story of the Loyalty and Faithfulness of God. Any one who reads this book will find encouragement and hope.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A gripping tale of hope, February 11, 2009

By 

Kim's Reviews http://bookreviewstoday.blogspo... (New Jersey) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lessons from San Quentin: Everything I Needed to Know about Life I Learned in Prison (Hardcover)

Lessons From San Quentin is a tale of a man who was a self absorbed person and whose path in life was a road paved with material possessions and money.

When Bill Dallas was convicted of grand theft embezzlement he planned on spending his time in prison by being placed at a fire camp where he could spend his time in prison with relative ease. The prison officials had other ideas and sent him to spend his time at San Quentin.

It was in San Quentin that Bill became a selfless man. The book takes you through his story and his ultimate transformation in prison. Throughout the book there are what Bill calls "transforming principles". One of my favorites is:

"Your current trials and tragedies just might be part of God's best plan for you".

This is something that I firmly believe. Adversity makes us stronger. Without misfortune you will cease to grow and learn. The difficult times shape our character.

Bill also mentions the people that he met in prison that helped to shape him into the selfless man that he became. The stories are very interesting and I was left with a hopeful feeling at the end.

There's a lot to be learned when you read Bill's story and I highly recommend it to all.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Learning my own lessons, February 9, 2009

By 

M. Baker "www.wovenbywords.blogspot.com" (MN USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lessons from San Quentin: Everything I Needed to Know about Life I Learned in Prison (Hardcover)

This was an amazingly great read! Each chapter has Bill sharing the details of his prison life. As he closes each chapter, Bill discusses how what he's learned can be applied to everybody's every day life.

I have to admit, at first I wasn't sure about this book. I thought it would be an interesting insight to Bill's life behind bars. I didn't realize how much I would personally be taking away from each chapter.

From the beginning, it is obvious that God had his hand in Bill Dallas's life. He and George Barna take the life lessons learned behind bars and blends them together for those of us who life behind our own bars. You will be surprised at the stories Bill shares and blessed by the lessons learned.