Inside Alcatraz cover art

Inside Alcatraz

My Time on the Rock

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Inside Alcatraz

By: Jim Quillen
Narrated by: Jeff Harding
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About this listen

Each day we saw the outside world in all its splendour, and each day that view served as a reminder that we had wasted and ruined our lives. Jim Quillen, AZ586 - a runaway, problem child and petty thief - was jailed several times before his twentieth birthday. In August 1942, after escaping from San Quentin, he was arrested on the run and sentenced to forty-five years in prison, and later transferred to Alcatraz.

This is the true story of life inside America's most notorious prison - from terrifying times in solitary confinement to daily encounters with 'the Birdman', and what really happened during the desperate and deadly 1946 escape attempt.

©1991 Jim Quillen (P)2015 Random House Audiobooks Social Sciences True Crime Runaway Emotionally Gripping Exciting

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I found the book to be interesting and at times comically with that dry sense of humour which I like. The narrator is also easy to listen to. Would greatly recommend.

The Book.

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What a great listen. And what an amazing inspiration of a Man, to overcome his youth, to his crimes, his life inside, then to do what he became, shows if you have the drive, you can do it!

Fantastic

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Kept me interested and entertained the whole way through! Helps if you have been to the prison!

Outstanding listen

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Fantastic book if you like history and crime like myself. It's made me want to learn more about Alcatraz and other inmates. Definitely worth a read, and had me gripped. Would recommend.

Great book, well read and thought out

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Would you consider the audio edition of Inside Alcatraz to be better than the print version?

I often have very limited time to actually pick up a novel and read it front to back. For me the audible version was absolutely perfect.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I tried to listen to this as often as I could and on a daily commute that usual bores me, I found that with my Audible companion it was enjoyable and if anything, time went too quickly.

Any additional comments?

I am fascinated by the criminal world and especially by Alcatraz. I read anything I possibly can that provides even just a glimpse of what life on that island was really like. Until now however, I've never read anything as informative and enjoyable as this.

Jim Quillen lived a very extraordinary life packed with twists and turns and plenty of upset and he truly expresses that in his writing. Everything was against him, but he never faltered, never ceased, his determination stayed strong until he reached the goal he set out to achieve. He shows that no matter how tough, redemption isn't always impossible. I have to be honest and say that the way Quillen turned his life around really did inspire me.

I would urge anyone with even the slightest interest in Alcatraz, the criminal world, redemption or reform, to read this book. You will not be disappointed!

'WOW' sums this book up perfectly!

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Wow... What a great book to listen to. Brilliantly written and well read by one of the greatest readers of books.. Captivating from start to finish. What a great life from awful beginnings which get worse and then on to one of life's nicest and helpful people. Goes to show you can change a leopards spots and a books cover.. Brilliant!! I loved it. It reads like a film plot.. Well written and really well read by Jeff Harding... 10 out 10

Brilliant

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Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Definitely yes. The story is not only inspiring but also expressed in a very fine language.

What did you like best about this story?

There are many things and only few general points I will mention: how much the childhood has a bearing on the future of all of us; how a good and loving word ("of this priest" in Alcatraz) may change the entire course of life and how love and trust of other people is important in encouraging to dig the best out of us.

What about Jeff Harding’s performance did you like?

At times I was wondering if it was not too flat and rather "unemotional" but this absence of dramatisation is in fact the entire strength of the lecture. I really enjoyed this professional narration.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes. It is captivating from the beginning to the end. Maybe with the exception of the appendix which was interesting but not really a "must".

Any additional comments?

I would recommend this book to anybody.

Inspiring story and captivating

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What made the experience of listening to Inside Alcatraz the most enjoyable?

The honesty of the writer, a hard life but there is hope.

What about Jeff Harding’s performance did you like?

Yes, the performance of reader was very good, crisp and clear.

Hard hitting and interesting

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Really enjoyed this book. I could easily listen to it again. Would definitely recommend it.

Loved it.

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Good listen,but towards the end became a bit weary of the narration and just wanted it to finish.

very interesting

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