kimmeyer's review against another edition
4.0
I'm always drawn to death row stories, and to hope in challenging places. This was very well written.
crabbycrabby's review against another edition
3.0
Maybe more of a 3.5/5. This was a quick read for me. I was really moved by Jay Jarvis Masters' story. He's a remarkable man. His case is so frustrating to read about and a horrible injustice.
I would have preferred that the book was written by Masters himself. It felt like a shame to get to know him through another writer, though the writing was very clear and lucid. I just wanted more direct contact with Masters. Also, I felt like I'd have liked more on his reflections on Buddhist principles, although I appreciated reading about his challenges to them and how he'd reframed key concepts. I wanted more depth!
I also felt like the book was peculiarly apolitical. As a work of non fiction involving a black man imprisoned in the USA, this feels like a glaring omission. Issues like the skyrocketing numbers prisoners, inmate abuse by guards and inconsistent sentencing were brought up briefly, but their systemic quality and how they fit into the context of the prison industrial complex weren't mentioned. That's likely a lot to do with target audience, but it felt like a real missed opportunity for discussion of a serious issue in the USA today.
Overall, an OK book. I did enjoy it. Maybe it feels more groundbreaking to audiences less familiar with Buddhist principles anyway. I can say it's helped nurture my practice - Master's attitude and commitment to practise is genuinely motivational. It just missed the mark in many ways for me.
I would have preferred that the book was written by Masters himself. It felt like a shame to get to know him through another writer, though the writing was very clear and lucid. I just wanted more direct contact with Masters. Also, I felt like I'd have liked more on his reflections on Buddhist principles, although I appreciated reading about his challenges to them and how he'd reframed key concepts. I wanted more depth!
I also felt like the book was peculiarly apolitical. As a work of non fiction involving a black man imprisoned in the USA, this feels like a glaring omission. Issues like the skyrocketing numbers prisoners, inmate abuse by guards and inconsistent sentencing were brought up briefly, but their systemic quality and how they fit into the context of the prison industrial complex weren't mentioned. That's likely a lot to do with target audience, but it felt like a real missed opportunity for discussion of a serious issue in the USA today.
Overall, an OK book. I did enjoy it. Maybe it feels more groundbreaking to audiences less familiar with Buddhist principles anyway. I can say it's helped nurture my practice - Master's attitude and commitment to practise is genuinely motivational. It just missed the mark in many ways for me.
mishmashreads's review against another edition
5.0
A beautiful and incredible story. Borrowed from the library and wish I could have marked it up. There were so many beautiful lessons and wise words. A book filled with pain and love. It was so well written too. An easy read that you could probably do in a day. This story is captures the true human experience, but unlike any other.
wonderwhitman's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
4.25
shinaabikwe's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
3.75
xkay_readsx's review against another edition
4.0
What an emotional read! Peace, tranquility, empathy, compassion, "freedom", joy and love. What I learn from death row inmate at San Quentin, Jarvis Jay Masters.
Jarvis of Long Beach, California was arrested and sent to San Quentin Prison for armed robbery in 1981 at the age of 19. He calls his old self a thug. His sentence was for 23 years. Then in 1985, he was charged with conspiracy along with two other inmates in the murder of a prison guard Sgt. Burchfield. In 1990, Jarvis Jay Masters was sentenced to death by lethal injection. He's been on death row ever since with 22 years in solitary confinement. He continues to fight for his innocence and there's a "Free Jarvis" campaign for his exoneration.
Jarvis's spiritual journey began with meditation lesson from his investigator and a small book on "Life In Relationship To Death", a transcript teaching by Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche - Buddhist lama. Over the years, there have been many Buddhist monks and practitioners who visit Jarvis on death row. All seem to admire his transformation and perception of life. Jarvis does what he can to help others in prison.
A relatively recent (12/2019) update of Jarvis's case can be read here.
I'd like to thank Simon & Schuster, and Goodreads giveaway program for my copy.
Jarvis of Long Beach, California was arrested and sent to San Quentin Prison for armed robbery in 1981 at the age of 19. He calls his old self a thug. His sentence was for 23 years. Then in 1985, he was charged with conspiracy along with two other inmates in the murder of a prison guard Sgt. Burchfield. In 1990, Jarvis Jay Masters was sentenced to death by lethal injection. He's been on death row ever since with 22 years in solitary confinement. He continues to fight for his innocence and there's a "Free Jarvis" campaign for his exoneration.
Jarvis's spiritual journey began with meditation lesson from his investigator and a small book on "Life In Relationship To Death", a transcript teaching by Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche - Buddhist lama. Over the years, there have been many Buddhist monks and practitioners who visit Jarvis on death row. All seem to admire his transformation and perception of life. Jarvis does what he can to help others in prison.
A relatively recent (12/2019) update of Jarvis's case can be read here.
I'd like to thank Simon & Schuster, and Goodreads giveaway program for my copy.
mochila03's review against another edition
5.0
The most important lesson this book can teach is that meditation is not a cure, it's a life-long treatment plan for the illness of our own minds. It doesn't teach you how not to fall again, but how to get back up.
jessreads82's review against another edition
5.0
Wow...I listened to this entire book through out the course of one day. I've read many books on Buddhist thought and teachings, but never one in the 3rd person POV.
This is the story of Jarvis Masters, a man born into a hard life with a drug addicted mother and an abusive father who left him early on in life. He was in and out of foster care, responsible for his little brother, and witnessed more violence than any person should see. He was put in prison in the 1970's for a non violent crime, but then put on death row when he was framed for the murder of a prison guard. Jarvis was introduced to meditation early on, and obviously skeptical on how it would help his situation. But from meditation he learned more and more buddhist teachings, and was mentored by some of the most influential buddhist figures.
This story follows his growth from an angry man, rightfully so, to a buddhist death row inmate who comes up with creative ways of keeping guards and other inmates safe. He states often that he doesn't think he's a good buddhist because he gets angry and he's done some terrible things in his life, but the purpose of buddhism is to move beyond those and allow those experiences grow compassion for others. I was incredibly moved by this story, and I feel it's one I will listen to again, and perhaps often. I am now interested in reading books by Jarvis himself.
This is the story of Jarvis Masters, a man born into a hard life with a drug addicted mother and an abusive father who left him early on in life. He was in and out of foster care, responsible for his little brother, and witnessed more violence than any person should see. He was put in prison in the 1970's for a non violent crime, but then put on death row when he was framed for the murder of a prison guard. Jarvis was introduced to meditation early on, and obviously skeptical on how it would help his situation. But from meditation he learned more and more buddhist teachings, and was mentored by some of the most influential buddhist figures.
This story follows his growth from an angry man, rightfully so, to a buddhist death row inmate who comes up with creative ways of keeping guards and other inmates safe. He states often that he doesn't think he's a good buddhist because he gets angry and he's done some terrible things in his life, but the purpose of buddhism is to move beyond those and allow those experiences grow compassion for others. I was incredibly moved by this story, and I feel it's one I will listen to again, and perhaps often. I am now interested in reading books by Jarvis himself.