Title : Faithwalk: A Walk from Darkness to Light
Language : English
Paperback : 374 pages
ISBN-13 : 978-1956742978
Item Weight : 1.21 pounds
Dimensions : 6 x 0.83 x 9 inches
Book review by: Barbara Bamberger Scott
“Gregory is out, yes, but in the eyes of society, he is not free yet. He will never stop fighting to clear his name.”
A strong woman describes her spiritual journey and vital connection with her formerly imprisoned husband. As a young wife during the Viet Nam War, her seemingly ideal marriage wound up in a devastating divorce. Afterward, she struggled to survive while raising two young sons. She sensed a deep unexplainable connection to one inmate who seemed to have special insight and a strong Christian belief and who was charged with and eventually convicted of murder/criminal assault while she was teaching mathematics in city jail. As a somewhat sheltered white woman, she is astounded to realize the racial inequality in our prison system. She was appalled to discover that an innocent man might spend the rest of his life in a maximum-security prison. As her unusual relationship blossomed with Gregory, through short visits and heartfelt letters, so too did Oliver’s determination to reveal the system’s flaws and free the man she knew would one day be her husband.
Oliver’s memoir explores the development of her religious understanding and her love for Gregory. Also, it sets forth the thorny aspects of a system that can, unjustly, keep such a man behind bars. Much of the book focuses on the general injustice too frequently encountered in the judicial framework. Though the governor commuted Gregory’s sentence and found him indeed innocent, because of the couples combined efforts; he still has the ugly lie hanging over his head, because he was not fully pardoned. Though Gregory is now released, the couple still seeks to have his name exonerated, as it is only fair based on the real evidence they have gathered and presented here. Oliver stands out as someone who accepted Christianity through her intelligence and sustained it with fervor, took on motherhood and self-support with few resources, and became the favorite tutor of numerous imprisoned men. She staunchly stands beside her husband despite the complex problems that they both must face. Their story is inspirational and should be shared with anyone battling tough odds while maintaining strong faith, receiving blessed outcomes.
Amazon Reviews
I found this memoir inspiring. The author tells her story in short, easy to read chapters, which I like. The early part of the book details her difficult marriage to a soldier stationed overseas during the Vietnam War. These early chapters are interesting but familiar – unfortunately, a lot of women find themselves married to controlling, disloyal men – it’s after that marriage falls apart that the book really took off for me.
The rest of the book is essentially a journey of self-discovery, and along the way the author develops a strong relationship with God, goes back to college, and begins to teach at a prison. The details of prison life and the personalities of the prisoners she meets are particularly fascinating, and it’s in that setting that the book takes its most interesting turn. She falls in love with one of the prisoners, and marries a man who’s serving a life sentence for murder. To add to the difficulties she’s white and he’s black, and the prison where they meet is located in the South. Ultimately, the author spends years doggedly uncovering the details of her husband’s wrongful conviction, eventually taking the case all the way to the governor’s office.
Although the author credits her Christian faith for much of her success, I found that you don’t have to necessarily share her strong religious convictions to enjoy this story of growth and redemption.
- Sandwalker
Inspiring Personal Memoir
This book tells a tale of a true faithwalk by the author. Her story is compelling and keeps rolling from the moment she meets Greg up to the not yet conclusion of their story. Her tireless move to help a man wrongly convicted, shows that the Lord is there to help anyone who believes. I have worked along side Bonnie at her current job for the last 17 years. Her faith and determination is felt every single day. Greg will help you and give you the shirt off of his back if you needed it. When he helped me with a project on my house, i felt the warmth of friendship and camaraderie of someone who truly trusts the Lord and is ine of the kindest human beings I have ever met. Get this book, you too will believe in the spirit and what He can do for us all!!
- SCarl F Johnson
Prayer does work
- Nicole
True story
- W. Stuck II
Great Job!
Title : Walking Free: From Bondage to Liberty
Language : English
Paperback : 198 pages
ISBN-10 : 1956742964
ISBN-13 : 978-1956742961
Item Weight : 10.4 ounces
Dimensions : 6 x 0.45 x 9 inches
My case has never been about whether there is evidence of my guilt or innocence. My case has always been one excuse after another.”
From Missouri State Penitentiary to Algoa Correctional Facility, Oliver’s journey is a testament to the meaning of “walking free.” In light of Black Lives Matter and referencing the atrocities against Breonna Taylor and George Floyd, the text highlights the injustices of a flawed court system that keeps a man from his family for twenty-two years and five days, even refusing to allow Gregory to attend his own parents’ funeral. While most books focused on prayer are heavy on hypotheticals, this particular work takes readers through the entire process of events and ultimately helps them understand that, no matter how dire the circumstances, prison is in their heads. How one chooses to respond to circumstances is what ultimately allows the individual to walk free.
Despite providing an in-depth view of the nuances affiliated with prison life, this piece best exemplifies Gregory’s relationship with prayer and his unyielding faith that the Lord would send him a highly devoted advocate. In Bonnie, the Lord did just that. He brought Oliver both a companion and advocate who would stand by him and his innocence irrespective of how the tide turned. With even many inmates acknowledging Gregory’s lack of involvement in the deadly events his mentally troubled brother Ronald found himself in, the text is a strong indictment on the legal system’s sometimes unethical, agenda-driven priorities.
This book isn’t just one man’s tale of innocence. On the contrary, it is every man’s story and is a passionate guide to helping humanity understand and shatter their personal trappings, be they depression, negative thinking, self-doubt, etc. With a steady balance of scripture references and a memoir predicated upon resolve and conviction in the Lord, the text is inspiring and relatable, an opportunity for all audiences to understand the power of belief and walking in the Lord’s light.
Amazon Reviews
You won’t put this book down! A true story about what happened to an innocent man in a corrupt system!
- Nicole
Innocent man in a corrupt system
- Cheruta Amina
I Highly recommend!
I went on your website and the first thing I did was read the prayer that was put in front of me before watching any videos or listening to any interviews. I was devastated! This was a tragedy. overwhelming so hurtful, stressful and outrageous but by the grace of God you all made it through, I would like to thank you for finding the truth and bringing it to the light. Thank you for letting the world know of some of its dark secrets.