Customer Reviews

Life Plus Ninety-nine Years.

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
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2 star:		(1)
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This is a memoir of life in prison by an articulate old man who committed a horrible senseless crime as a teenager. The notorious murder of an innocent boy naturally shocked the nation then - - as the Columbine shootings shock us today. What makes this book interesting is that it is not an effort to excuse a crime, but an effort at describing prison life. In this case prison life was nearly an entire life. I think it is a shame that it is out of print. Particularly, since the topic of how to punish, rehabilitate or retrain yourthful offenders seems a fresh topic. There are not many other books that give as frank an assessment of what happens after the trial. I think it worth reading.

I've always been facinated by the "criminal mind," but mostly from the point of view of how it differs from "healthy," and most importantly why, and can it change? Nathan Leopold tells the reader about himself with an honesty so apparent that his integrity is not questionable. I gained incredible insight also into what life is like in a prison- the surprising "moral" structure that evolves, etc. Although appauled by the crime, I am touched every time I think about this book, because it is the story of an honest human conversion which must be truely as rare as gold when involving a situation like this. A must read.

Leopold uses the book as a tool to push off any remaining stigma of his crime on his dead partner and to boast about his "charitable" works in prison - most of which were done to make prison life bearable for himself or to increase his chances of parole more than to help others. He selectively leaves out details of his activities that paint him in a negative light. The book is a must read, however, for anyone who seriously wants to learn about the case, but it should be read alongside a more objective account such as that by Hal Higdon.

As a teen, I look for books that will improve my writing style. This book was a great one. I was captivated by the section on his work during the war for a prevention to malaria. He explains indepth how they conducted expirements and found which mosquito had malaria. Whether or not this book is meant to cause readers to see the author as innocent doesn't matter (the auther is now dead) - rather it is the quality of writing that makes this book a must read.

after serving his sentence in prison nathan leopold came to live in purto rico. no one could suspect from his brilliant mind, peaceful ways that he was a convicted felon. my husban as a kid called hin uncle nate.he spend his years in puerto rico doing reseach, helping and healing others,and became a loved and respected member of the community. this book affirmed my notion that criminal behavior can be rehabilitated.

This is a biography about a mans' life in prison. Nathan Leopold, at 19 years old, along with a school chum murdered 13 year old Bobby Franks for the thrill of it. The book doesn't focus on the murder but his thirty some years in prison and how he spent his time efectively. He was an intelect who set up a corospondence school, helping other convicts become educated. The last part of the book deals with his fight for freedom. I highly recomend this book.