Littlegreengoblin's Reviews > Alcatraz from Inside: The Hard Years 1942-1952

I think that more than anything, this book is a hopeful book. And that this man, while not exactly a writer, had a very important story to share.

I can't say that I THOROUGHLY enjoyed this book and I was nervous that the "best part" was going to be Quillen's account of the Battle of Alcatraz (didn't really enjoy that part that much; it was pretty hyped up in the beginning of the book so I thought that that would be its bread and butter. It was, in some ways, but I didn't choose to think of it that way). Fortunately, that is not the best part, at least in my opinion. The best part came after: his honest, straightforward account of life as it is, with its ups and downs. Although I wish Quillen could have been more elaborative on certain aspects of his life (that would have been really interesting; his feelings in prison, the nuances of it all [don't get me wrong, they were all there, but just more because it's so interesting], and even what happened to Jack? How did he meet Marge?), I can't really say I blame him. Everything is pretty overwhelming.

Overall, an enjoyable read, but more than that, an important one. Was saddened to find out that Quillen died in '98 because reading this book really makes you respect him and what he's been through. RIP.