Time for the review of Inside Alcatraz by Jim Quillen, the final book from May’s reading list.
Book Review: Inside Alcatraz by Jim Quillen
Blurb from The Back Cover
I was engulfed with the realisation that I was no longer a person, but instead AZ586, a criminal mind who had been sentenced to serve forty-five years in the federal penal system.
It is 1942 and twenty-two-year-old Jim Quillen is on the run from San Quentin prison, where he has been serving eighteen months for armed robbery. He thinks he made a lucky escape, until he is caught and sentenced to forty-five years inside 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.
My Thoughts on The Book
I really enjoyed Inside Alcatraz. I think it paints a very realistic view of how life would have been in there.
I particularly enjoyed that the author gives both sides of things. He is willing to admit that not all of the guards where all bad and that some of the inmates did deserve harsh treatment. I liked that he didn’t play the “innocent victim”.
It was fascinating reading the truth as he saw it about the famous escape attempt.
Conclusion and Rating
Overall, this was a good read and I really enjoyed it. I do think it was a little tame compared to some of the Thai prison accounts I’ve read, but I probably wouldn’t feel that way if I was in there. 4/5
To view on Amazon or to buy, click here.
Have you read Inside Alcatraz? Did you enjoy it? Let me know in the comments 🙂
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No, I haven’t read it. I did visit Alcatraz once, when I was in San Francisco. Interesting to see. I was too young (13) at the time, so I didn’t appreciate it. (I hadn’t heard all the history of the place.) I’d love to go back sometime.
I would love to visit too. I think at 13 it probably just looked like an empty building!
I usually don’t read book review blog posts, but the book’s title intrigued me and now I thin k I may end up reading it.
It’ a fascinating read, I’m glad you were tempted to pop by 🙂
Sounds very interesting. Alcatraz has a very fascinating history. I have watched a documentary and I often wondered what life must have been like for the inmates. #bloogerclubuk
It’s definitely worth reading this book then, it gives a great insight into the lives of the inmates there!
This is a type of book that appeals to me. I’d be interested in reading this thanks for the review #bloggerclubuk
I love anything like this, and I really enjoyed this one!
Now this would definitely be something I would be interested in reading except for lots of lovely blog posts! What a good review of a book, I don’t normally read book reviews but as some else mentioned the title was quite intriguing! #BloggerClubUK
It’s well worth a read! Thank you, I’m glad you decided to have a look 🙂
This sounds really interesting, I’ve always been strangely fascinated by Alcatraz. Thanks for sharing x #bloggerclubuk
It was fab, I am fascinated by it too x
This is great, I love a good book review! My reading list is forever growing!
#BloggerClubUK
Mine gets bigger everyday!
This sounds like a good read – I can’t resist a good non-fiction account of humans battling conditions or the elements so I’ll check this out. Potty Adventures. #BloggerClubUK
I really liked it, I love anything like that too!
Defo sounds worth a read, to be honest, I get excited to read anything without pictures in it now and again…I shall add it to the list of books to read once my children turn 18!
Lol, kids books must get rather old, especially when they want the same one over and over again!
Sounds a good read and not too gruesome of prison life. #BloggerclubUK
It was really interesting, and not half as gruesome as some of the jail memoirs I’ve read!
I am totally fascinated by social history and this sounds like a great read! #BloggerClubUK
It was fab, I think you would really enjoy it 🙂
I haven’t read it but it certainly sounds a fascinating read. Good to hear you get a view that is not all one sided, thanks for sharing Debbie x #BloggerClubUK
It was fascinating, and I loved that it wasn’t one sided. x
I’ve been to Alcatraz and was fascinated by the place, so I think I would enjoy this. I’m looking for books to take on holiday in the summer, so I’ll bear this in mind. Thank you for sharing your review. Alison #BloggerClubUK
Oh, I’d love to go visit! I hope you enjoy the book 🙂
I haven’t read it but it does sound fascinating. Great that he doesn’t play the innocent victim, like you say 🙂 #BloggerClubUK
Yes, I loved that about it!
We are off on a Californian road trip this summer and are visiting Alcatraz so this couldn’t be more perfect. Thanks for the recommendation. #BloggerClubUK
Oh that sounds brilliant, I’d love to visit! Take lots of photos 🙂
Sounds like a good read! Thanks for the review! #bloggerclubuk
It is, I really enjoyed it 🙂
It sounds gripping, Debbie! You can visit Alcatraz if you ever head over to San Fransisco. I hear it’s quite the creepy tour! I’m glad you enjoyed the book & that the author gave both sides of the story of prison life. #BloggerClubUK
It was! I would love to visit, I find the whole thing fascinating and to see where it took place would be amazing.
I’d love to visit Alcatraz – since that’s not in my future plans right now I could totally check out this book. I like your review style!
#bloggerclubuk
I would too, but I’m in the UK so it might never happen. The book is fab. Thank you 🙂
I would definitely give this a read, it’s a place that has always intrigued me and I would love to visit. I imagine it would be an emotional time but I must give the book a read. #BloggerClubUK
I’d love to visit too. I think it would be a really intense day but fascinating too. The book is well worth a read!
I’ve never read this but it sounds like something I’d enjoy, I’m going to add it to my Amazon wishlist! #bloggerclubuk
It’s definitely worth reading. I hope you enjoy it 🙂
This sounds like a book I’d enjoy, we didn’t get to visit Alcatraz when we visited San Francisco, I would have loved to but time was against us. #BloggerClubUK
I would love to go, but it’s a bit far for me from the UK 🙁
It sounds a great read! I’ve never read much on Alcatraz so I might check it out. x #bloggerclubuk
I really enjoyed it, it’s definitely worth a read x
I spent a summer working and travelling around the states when I was 21. I managed to go to Alcatraz and it was pretty sombering to say the least, but also fascinating! Not a place to go with little kids… but if you ever get a chance to go without any small people I would recommend it. #BloggerClubUK
I would love to go, but I’m in the UK so it’s a bit far just for that. If I’m ever in that area though, it will be top of my list.
oh this is right down my ally. I think id love this book. if only i had more hours in the day….Ill make this my holiday read!:)
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did, it’s really fascinating!
I love reading your reviews. If I ever get around to actually being able to read a book I will have you as a reference. I am going on vacation for 2 weeks but I have a feeling I am still not going to get much reading done. Thanks so much for hostessing #bloggerclubuk 😉
Thank you 🙂 Assuming you’re taking the kids with you then probably not lol. Have a great time! You’re welcome, thanks for linking up
Good review, thanks for sharing your thoughts. I’m intrigued with Alcatraz but shame it’s a bit “tame”. You obviously like a bit more drama!
Thank you 🙂 I am too. In fairness, it wouldn’t have been tame to the people it was happening too, I think it’s just a case of having read a few Thai prison memoirs, this didn’t seem anywhere near that bad.
I haven’t read a book review post for ages! It’s not my kind of novel but I used to teach a text about Alcatraz that my students loved – they were fascinated by it.
I would have loved that too, I also find it fascinating!
Sounds intriguing. The blurb made it sound like a fiction book. Does it read like one, is it quite pacey?
#BloggerClubUK
It’s not fiction, but it does have a novel type feel to it. It’s told as the story of Jim through his eyes and the things he witnessed. It moves along at a good pace and stays interesting. It’s definitely worth a look!
Hi Debbie, this sounds like an interesting book. Alcatraz is one of those places that most of us can only imagine about, reading a true account can give us an insight to just how bad it was.
Going to check this book out for sure.
xx
I found it really fascinating! It was definitely eye opening as to some of the stuff that really went on there. x
I’ve not read this but I have been inside Alcatraz!! I visited about 12 years ago and it was pretty terrifying even just being a guest! The skyline was amazing at night though from the island! Would recommend it if you ever go to San Fran xx #BloggerClubUK
I would love to go! I think it’s one of those places that would have a definite atmosphere about it x
Id love to read this book as we went to Alcatraz and I found it fascinating! #bloggerclubuk xx
I would love to visit, I find it fascinating too x
Sounds like an interesting book, though those kinds of books tend to play on my mind for years after so I’m not sure I have the stomach for it! x #BloggerClubUK
It was really good 🙂 Maybe not the best idea if things stay with you though! x
always had a fixation about alcatraz have many momentoes and would like to visit my friend bob gave me the book alcatrax from inside had a job to put it down good book rest in peace jim
I would love to visit one day! Glad you enjoyed the book 🙂
Book Lover's Christmas Gift Guide - My Random Musings
[…] This true life account, told by Jim Quillen, shows how life Inside Alcatraz really was. It dispels some myths, and in some cases, replaces them with worse scenarios. It also tells the inside truth about the notorious escape attempt which resulted in several prisoners being killed. You can read my review here. […]