This is the story of Burton’s life. The co-author is journalist and writer Cari Lynn. The first part of the book is about Burton’s early years in which she suffered from emotional neglect and sexual abuse. After Burton’s five-year-old son was killed by an automobile, she became a drug addict. This b ...more
I can't say enough about this book. Well written personal account of Susan Burton, a woman who had been incarcerated several times and now leads social justice fights on many fronts. The engaging narrative goes beyond telling Susan's story but describes how the forces in our society, her own actions ...more
Such a gripping narrative and so well written, I couldn't put it down! A remarkable story of a woman overcoming so many obstacles to finally achieve success and then go on to help others as only someone who has been there can do. A MUST READ for anyone who cares about promoting social justice, givin ...more
This book is extraordinary - as is the woman who wrote it. One of the great strengths of the book is how it weaves staggering facts and statistics about mass incarceration into Susan Burton's deeply personal story. Each chapter begins with facts about different aspects of our criminal justice system ...more
This is a very important read! It’s a very personal look at the flaws in our criminal justice system and how they create a cycle of recidivism. We have a system that locks people up and does nothing to help them lead productive lives after they get out. Our prison system disproportionately affects p ...more
I read this book in 2 days, that’s how engaging it was. I learned so much about the prison system, laws, organizing, etc. It also demonstrates how a necessary work done with the right heart is its own reward. Ms. Burton is an extraordinary human. ...more
So much resilience and hope wrapped in one journey. I get to meet this author on Wednesday which I am so hyped about! I recommend this book for everyone. ...more
This is a memorable book. Ms. Burton is a woman we should all know about. Her story as a former incarcerated woman to re-entry advocate kept me emotionally hooked, sometimes crying, sometimes outraged, and always in shock that I still have more to learn about our criminal justice system. If you only ...more
”So I keep asking the questions. Why are black Americans incarcerated at nearly six times the rate of whites? Why are prison sentences for African-Americans disproportionately higher? Once released, why do people face a lifetime of discriminatory policies and practices that smother any chance of a b...more
Ms. Burton is hope, gratitude, perseverance, grit, dogged determination, inspiration, brilliance. Her life's work is the lifting up of formerly incarcerated women and giving them all the tools they need not just to succeed, but to bloom and blossom into the women Ms. Burton knew they could be.