Reviews tagging 'Violence'

No Human Contact: Solitary Confinement, Maximum Security, and Two Inmates Who Changed the System by Pete Earley

3 reviews

cloudsofbooks's review

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challenging dark informative reflective sad tense medium-paced

4.0

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swalk's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional informative sad tense medium-paced

4.25

An excellent and engaging study on the isolating life of men in maximum security prisons in the US and how it impacts a human, being kept in lifelong solitary confinement.

Following the life of Thomas Edward Silverstein with candid interviews and evidence that really gives an insight into his life. Silverstein is kept in a basement cell with no human contact in perpetuity, but how did he get here and is there a ‘cause’ that led him along this road, he has undeniably had a life of abuse at the hands of both the prison system and those that were supposed to protect him as a child, regardless of this his incarceration in this manner is nothing less than inhumane and at times torturous.

This book delves into his past, his relationships, changes throughout his life and what he has experienced through spending the majority of his life incarcerated. It makes pulls no punches no apologies for Silverstein’s behaviours, but in turn shines a glaring light on the failures and the extremely problematic systems used within the US Prison system. It was educational, shocking, abhorrent and terribly sad all at once. A fantastically researched piece of writing which kept me engaged throughout. As Silverstein himself said ‘You can’t put us in cages and treat us like animals, not expect repercussions’

The narrator was excellent and a good pick for this type of book.

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bxtskr's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional informative reflective tense fast-paced

5.0

Thank you to the author and publisher for the opportunity to read this book before it’s publication in exchange for my honest thoughts and review.

This was a deeply heartbreaking, enrapturing read. This could have easily been a read in one sitting book if my schedule had allowed for it. I’ve read many nonfiction books about solitary confinement, the death penalty, and incarceration and this has to be one of the most rich texts breaking down all the ways that society failed two of the most influential individuals who find themselves at the center of this story. There is no forced forgiveness of the two at the center of this book but we find ourselves reminded over and over and over again that they are human. They are deeply flawed; have been completely failed by the education system, their families, and the justice system; and many might declare that they are simply evil incarnate. In future courses I hope to teach regarding incarceration, I will definitely center readings from this book. This is one I definitely intend to purchase a physical copy of because I intend to return to it time and time again.

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