A female professor, a super meximum security prisoner, and how Shakespeare saved them both- a testament to the transforming power of literature
A female professor, a super maximum security prisoner, and how Shakespeare saved them both Shakespeare professor and prison volunteer Laura Bates thought she had seen it all. That is, until she decided to teach Shakespeare in a place the bard had never been before-supermax solitary confinement.
In this unwelcoming place, surrounded by inmates known as the worst of the worst, is Larry Newton. A convicted murderer with several escape attempts under his belt and a brilliantly agile mind on his shoulders, Larry was trying to break out of prison at the same time Laura was fighting to get her program started behind bars.
A testament to the power of literature, Shakespeare Saved My Life is a remarkable memoir. Fans of Orange is the New Black (Piper Kerman), A Place to Stand (Jimmy Baca) and I Couldn't Help Myself (Wally Lamb) will be be inspired by the story of the most unlikely friendship, one bonded by Shakespeare and lasting years-a friendship that would, in the end, save more than one life.
By:
Laura Bates
Imprint: Sourcebooks, Inc
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions:
Height: 204mm,
Width: 134mm,
Spine: 20mm
Weight: 355g
ISBN: 9781402273148
ISBN 10: 1402273142
Pages: 304
Publication Date: 02 April 2013
Audience:
General/trade
,
ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
"Contents Foreword Chapter 1: Favorite Freakin' Shakespeare Chapter 2: The Value of Education Chapter 3: Breaking Out Chapter 4: Breaking In Chapter 5: I'm In Chapter 6: Newton's In Chapter 7: Life Inside Chapter 8: The First Lesson I Teach Chapter 9: The First Group Session Chapter 10: The First Lesson I Learn Chapter 11: Regaining Lost Humanity Chapter 12: Contraband Chapter 13: Childhood Chapter 14: The Tragedy of Macbeth Chapter 15: Supermax Kid Chapter 16: The Closet Chapter 17: My Secret Life Chapter 18: Tough Freedoms Chapter 19: ""To Know My Deed"" Chapter 20: CSI: Muncie, Indiana Chapter 21: Death Penalty Chapter 22: Escape Artist Chapter 23: The Dagger I See before Me Chapter 24: The Shower: Newton Chapter 25: The Shower: Me Chapter 26: All Hands on Deck Chapter 27: The Boat Chapter 28: New Directions Chapter 29: Sensory Deprivation Chapter 30: Isolated...and Alone Chapter 31: Ghosts in the Cell Chapter 32: Insanity Chapter 33: More House Calls Chapter 34: Administrative Segregation versus Disciplinary Segregation Chapter 35: Killer Dog Chapter 36: Extraction Chapter 37: B-East Chapter 38: This Prison Don't Matter Chapter 39: Meeting of the Minds Chapter 40: Dr. Newton Chapter 41: The Picture Chapter 42: ""That's Freedom"" Chapter 43: Another Door Opens Chapter 44: Killer Dog Comes Inside Chapter 45: ""Shakespearean Considerations"" Chapter 46: Hamlet: to Revenge or Not to Revenge Chapter 47: Othello: Girl Meets Boy Chapter 48: ""Shakespeare Saved My Life"" Chapter 49: Shakespeare Saved My Life Chapter 50: Shakespeare Could Save Your Life Too Chapter 51: Doing Life Chapter 52: Romeo and Juliet Chapter 53: Romeo and Juliet for Youth Incarcerated as Adults Chapter 54: Balance Chapter 55: Tybalt Must Die! Chapter 56: Killer in the Classroom Chapter 57: Hands that Kill Can Also...Sew? Chapter 58: Fears and Phobias Chapter 59: Sociopath or... Chapter 60: Socrates Chapter 61: Doing Good for Bad Done Chapter 62: Correctional Education Chapter 63: ""Cool!"" Chapter 64: Timeline of Anxiety Chapter 65: Media Celebrity Chapter 66: Cell Phone in the Cell Chapter 67: Back to Seg Chapter 68: Remembering the Victims Chapter 69: Full Circle Chapter 70: Tragic Kingdom Chapter 71: ""Stay Strong"" Chapter 72: Closing Doors Chapter 73: The Letter Chapter 74: Powering through with Shakespeare Chapter 75: Revelation Chapter 76: Footprint in the World Chapter 77: Mother's Day Chapter 78: Five Steps Afterword Reading Group Guide Acknowledgments About the Author"
DR. LAURA BATES is an English professor at Indiana State University, where she has taught courses on Shakespeare for the past 15 years to students on campus and in prison. She has a PhD from the University of Chicago with a focus on Shakespeare studies. Her work has been featured in national media, including MSNBC's Lock Up. She lives in Indiana.
Reviews for Shakespeare Saved My Life
You don't have to be a William Shakespeare fan, a prisoner, or a prison reformer to appreciate this uplifting book. Shakespeare Saved My Life also reveals many important truths ... about the meaning of empathy in our dealings with others - Finger Lakes Times Readers will find much to be inspired by and optimistic about in Bates's book - PopMatters Shakespeare Saved My Life touches on the search for meaning in life, the struggles that complicate the path to triumph and the salvation that can be found in literature's great works ... An inspiring account. - Shelf Awareness A transformative journey for students and teacher alike. ... An eye-opening study reiterating the perennial power of books, self-discipline and the Bard of Avon. - Kirkus This is an amazing story, beautifully told...I'm still reeling from the power of the ending. - Anne McMahon, Boswell Book Company, Milwaukee WI Wonderful... well written, easy to follow, and hard to put down. My hope is that this book will make people understand that education can change lives. - Sue Jones, Auntie's Bookstore, Spokane, WA Shakespeare Saved My Life touches on the search for meaning in life, the struggles that complicate the path to triumph and the salvation that can be found in literature's great works ... An inspiring account. - Shelf Awareness
