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The Life Inside: A Memoir of Prison, Family and Philosophy
Andy West teaches philosophy in prisons. He has conversations with people inside about their lives, discusses their ideas and feelings and listens as the men and women he works with explore new ways to think about their situation. Could we ever be good if we never felt shame? What makes a person worthy of forgiveness? Could someone in prison ever be more free than someone outside? These questions about how to live are ones we all need to ask, but in this setting they are even more urgent.
When Andy steps into jail, he also confronts his inherited guilt: his father, uncle and brother all spent time in prison. He has built a different life for himself, but he still fears that their fate will be his. As he discusses questions of truth, identity and hope with his students, he searches for his own form of freedom.
Moving, sympathetic, wise and frequently funny, The Life Inside is an elegantly written and unforgettable book. Through its blend of memoir, storytelling and gentle philosophical questioning, readers will gain a new insight into our justice system, our prisons and the plurality of lives found inside.
When Andy steps into jail, he also confronts his inherited guilt: his father, uncle and brother all spent time in prison. He has built a different life for himself, but he still fears that their fate will be his. As he discusses questions of truth, identity and hope with his students, he searches for his own form of freedom.
Moving, sympathetic, wise and frequently funny, The Life Inside is an elegantly written and unforgettable book. Through its blend of memoir, storytelling and gentle philosophical questioning, readers will gain a new insight into our justice system, our prisons and the plurality of lives found inside.
352 pages, Hardcover
Published February 3, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
December 15, 2023
“Hapishanede Felsefe” hoş bir kitap, çok rahat okunuyor, çünkü felsefenin başlangıcının da başlangıcı sayılabilecek çok basit-hafif bilgilere yer vermiş yazar. Buna karşın hapishane kavramı, oradaki yaşam ve mahkumlar hakkında daha geniş değerlendirmeler yapmış. Felsefeden çok psikoloji var diyebilirim.
Yazar Andy West gerçek hayatında da bir felsefe öğretmeni ve hapishanelerde dersler veriyor. Yani bir yönüyle otobiyografik bir roman denilebilir. Babası, dayısı ve ağabeyi de hapis yatmışlar. Babasının mahkumiyeti onda suçluluk duygusu yarattığından obsessif ve takıntılı bir insan. Zeno Paradoksu, Sisifos söylencesi, Diyojen, Platon’un Gyges hikayesi, kurbağa ile akrep vb gibi konuları mahkumlarla konuşup onları da düşünmeye ve konuşmaya teşvik ediyor.
Kafka ve P. Levi sıklıkla alıntıladığı iki yazar, ikisi de iç karartıcı, bunlar yazarın ruh durumunu ele veriyor. Buna karşın romanda mizah duygusu çok uygun bir şekilde yer almış. Yazarın bu seçimi okumayı kolaylaştırıyor. Ayrıca çok samimi ve öğretici bir yazım tarzı kitabı daha da güzelleştirmiş. Öneririm.
Yazar Andy West gerçek hayatında da bir felsefe öğretmeni ve hapishanelerde dersler veriyor. Yani bir yönüyle otobiyografik bir roman denilebilir. Babası, dayısı ve ağabeyi de hapis yatmışlar. Babasının mahkumiyeti onda suçluluk duygusu yarattığından obsessif ve takıntılı bir insan. Zeno Paradoksu, Sisifos söylencesi, Diyojen, Platon’un Gyges hikayesi, kurbağa ile akrep vb gibi konuları mahkumlarla konuşup onları da düşünmeye ve konuşmaya teşvik ediyor.
Kafka ve P. Levi sıklıkla alıntıladığı iki yazar, ikisi de iç karartıcı, bunlar yazarın ruh durumunu ele veriyor. Buna karşın romanda mizah duygusu çok uygun bir şekilde yer almış. Yazarın bu seçimi okumayı kolaylaştırıyor. Ayrıca çok samimi ve öğretici bir yazım tarzı kitabı daha da güzelleştirmiş. Öneririm.
January 13, 2023
“Adam messaged me last night. He told me he’d been detoxing for a couple of months, tripping out on ‘The phenomenology of Andy’.”
I would say that was nicely put. In the few days it took me to read this book, I too have been tripping out on the phenomenology of Andy.
Andy West has a fantastic way of recounting his experiences teaching philosophy in prisons. He is able to show the reader how engaging in philosophy brings out one’s inner most thoughts, troubles, hopes, regrets, and unique perspectives regardless of persons.
These prisoners have thoughtful contributions that could even compete with academic philosophers. One of his students Yannis said,
“When a man has transformed, he’s built himself. When he’s been changed, he’s been destroyed.”
In an interview West has said, “What I’ve found is when you give people the space to articulate, imagine and test ideas, they come up with fascinating and unique thoughts”.
I agree. What makes people’s thoughts philosophically unique is their unique life experience. The way someone sees the world is completely individualized. And through dialogue, we have a chance to compare our individual interpretations and weigh them up to consider if they have value to add to our own.
West giving these prisoners a voice is such a beautiful humane act.
I also learned a ton and got inspired by all the stimuli he used. I kept taking breaks from reading to look up all the stories he mentions. One minute I’m looking up Hiroo Onoda and the next I’m looking up the complete works of Primo Levi. I enjoyed feeling inspired about all the stories I could use to engage others in philosophy.
Fun fact, the executioner was mentioned 77 times. It was interesting to read about the author’s relationship with the executioner. I’m not very familiar with mental illnesses but the way it was personified helped me understand a whole lot better. It also helped me understand West’s need for philosophy in his life as well as ponder my own reason for why philosophy is so important to me.
I would say that was nicely put. In the few days it took me to read this book, I too have been tripping out on the phenomenology of Andy.
Andy West has a fantastic way of recounting his experiences teaching philosophy in prisons. He is able to show the reader how engaging in philosophy brings out one’s inner most thoughts, troubles, hopes, regrets, and unique perspectives regardless of persons.
These prisoners have thoughtful contributions that could even compete with academic philosophers. One of his students Yannis said,
“When a man has transformed, he’s built himself. When he’s been changed, he’s been destroyed.”
In an interview West has said, “What I’ve found is when you give people the space to articulate, imagine and test ideas, they come up with fascinating and unique thoughts”.
I agree. What makes people’s thoughts philosophically unique is their unique life experience. The way someone sees the world is completely individualized. And through dialogue, we have a chance to compare our individual interpretations and weigh them up to consider if they have value to add to our own.
West giving these prisoners a voice is such a beautiful humane act.
I also learned a ton and got inspired by all the stimuli he used. I kept taking breaks from reading to look up all the stories he mentions. One minute I’m looking up Hiroo Onoda and the next I’m looking up the complete works of Primo Levi. I enjoyed feeling inspired about all the stories I could use to engage others in philosophy.
Fun fact, the executioner was mentioned 77 times. It was interesting to read about the author’s relationship with the executioner. I’m not very familiar with mental illnesses but the way it was personified helped me understand a whole lot better. It also helped me understand West’s need for philosophy in his life as well as ponder my own reason for why philosophy is so important to me.
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January 18, 2022An interesting memoir, one which focuses on Andy’s work in prisons, as well as his own insecurities, in addition to musings and philosophy. Beautifully reflective and thought-provoking.
February 28, 2022
Stupendous combination. West braids his own relevant past, his fears of ending up like his father who did 18 months, and acute self observation , into passages about his philosophy classes and how he uses stories from myths to provoke discussion amongst the prisoners. Their answers reveal so much. The story of Pandora's 'box' provoked insights about hope and their reasons. Unique way of approaching it and a story told from different and new perspective - not a corrections officer, not an inmate but a philosophy teacher whose own family have been incarcerated several times and who spends most of his time in prisons teaching.
I already feel like I know some of those characters and their psychological drivers and absolutely love seeing how he uses philosophy and myth to provoke insightful discussions even from those who resist.
I already feel like I know some of those characters and their psychological drivers and absolutely love seeing how he uses philosophy and myth to provoke insightful discussions even from those who resist.
December 14, 2023
Interesting look at teaching within prisons also partly family history with members of his family served time as well
June 12, 2022
This was a book that was very much, it's not you, it's me. It wasn't what I was expected. It leaned very much as a memoir with occasional bits of lessons at the prison. The memoirs part was very heavy. I just wanted to learn about prisons and the people who ended up there with a philosophy aspect woven in or stories of the people in prisons through a philosophy angle.
Also, there was a times I wondered how he did the job because you could tell that the thoughts from mental illness was becoming stronger. I know it's very common for people who work in prisons to have depression, ptsd etc from what they've witnessed at work. One of the things you could tell was getting stronger was the idea of getting arrested, the phone thing etc. Like he knows he doesn't has his phone on him yet is still surprised he hasn't been arrested. I understand the mental anguish of these thoughts but it featured heavily. It's the same frustration when person a has a secret that they need to tell person b but angsts on it a lot. And you're just there yelling "Just tell them already!" Only this one was "You know you left your phone in the locker, you checked! It isn't going to magically appear in your pocket." The author has a lot of anxiety and that really comes across clearly off the page. It's frustrating watching just like when you get anxious thoughts yourself are frustrating. Like "I locked the door...I know I did...I remember...Unless...Did I?" Then you have to check it and you find yourself a door that you did lock and you're angry/frustrated you just wasted time checking it.
One thing I will give him huge props for is breaking the cycle. His father went to prison, uncles went to prison, his brother went to prison. It would've been so easy for him to continue that cycle but he didn't. So that's amazing and deserves some acknowledgement. And he's helping people who just like his family. Though I felt that the prisoners were just background characters that never get much depth.
Him taking drugs was a weird part though. That and his suntan.
I did enjoy the philosophy bits, but I felt it could've been a bigger aspect than it was.
If you're after a memoir like this, I would reccomend it though.
Also, there was a times I wondered how he did the job because you could tell that the thoughts from mental illness was becoming stronger. I know it's very common for people who work in prisons to have depression, ptsd etc from what they've witnessed at work. One of the things you could tell was getting stronger was the idea of getting arrested, the phone thing etc. Like he knows he doesn't has his phone on him yet is still surprised he hasn't been arrested. I understand the mental anguish of these thoughts but it featured heavily. It's the same frustration when person a has a secret that they need to tell person b but angsts on it a lot. And you're just there yelling "Just tell them already!" Only this one was "You know you left your phone in the locker, you checked! It isn't going to magically appear in your pocket." The author has a lot of anxiety and that really comes across clearly off the page. It's frustrating watching just like when you get anxious thoughts yourself are frustrating. Like "I locked the door...I know I did...I remember...Unless...Did I?" Then you have to check it and you find yourself a door that you did lock and you're angry/frustrated you just wasted time checking it.
One thing I will give him huge props for is breaking the cycle. His father went to prison, uncles went to prison, his brother went to prison. It would've been so easy for him to continue that cycle but he didn't. So that's amazing and deserves some acknowledgement. And he's helping people who just like his family. Though I felt that the prisoners were just background characters that never get much depth.
Him taking drugs was a weird part though. That and his suntan.
I did enjoy the philosophy bits, but I felt it could've been a bigger aspect than it was.
If you're after a memoir like this, I would reccomend it though.
June 28, 2023
I haven’t been able to stop thinking about this beautiful, real and kind book since I’ve finished it. It’s Exploring life’s urgent philosophical questions (especially around what it means to be free/ what is truth?/ what does luck have to do with it?) and themes within the context of what many would deem as the absence of freedom (ie incarceration). Andy teaches philosophy in prisons in the UK but also steps into the room carrying inherited shame and guilt that surrounds different family members who have been in prison and a fear that he will endure the same fate.
I loved reading the vast array of thoughts from different students - especially on the chapter on “waiting/ time” where they discuss waiting for Godot.
There were so many funny moments too that you wouldn’t necessarily expect- from the students and their take on things.
I also loved the insight that Andy brings forth in the book from some of students directly: that his class made them remember that they still had a brain, that they were still alive when incarceration often strips you of feeling like you are a person.
“As a teacher, I can do more than just bear witness to the vanished. I can help people keep sight of themselves.”
A masterful and deeply touching book keep turning back to and referencing, and a book that will never leave me- especially with how beautifully he explores contingency, and how easily we could be each other, and how for me that informs my ethics.
I loved reading the vast array of thoughts from different students - especially on the chapter on “waiting/ time” where they discuss waiting for Godot.
There were so many funny moments too that you wouldn’t necessarily expect- from the students and their take on things.
I also loved the insight that Andy brings forth in the book from some of students directly: that his class made them remember that they still had a brain, that they were still alive when incarceration often strips you of feeling like you are a person.
“As a teacher, I can do more than just bear witness to the vanished. I can help people keep sight of themselves.”
A masterful and deeply touching book keep turning back to and referencing, and a book that will never leave me- especially with how beautifully he explores contingency, and how easily we could be each other, and how for me that informs my ethics.
October 26, 2022
Thought provoking and illuminating.
West grew up in the shadow of prison: his older brother, his father and his uncle all served time inside. However, he got an education, went to university and became middle class but the inherited guilt and unease about his luck haunts West. It is one of the reasons why he now goes into prisons to teach philosophy (and myths and legends) in prison.
Each chapter revolves round a particular class (or theme) and West uses it to illuminate particular members of his class, his own skin in the topic and make a wider philosophical point. My advice would be to resist the temptation to rush through the book. Each short chapter is thought provoking and by laying himself so open, you cannot but help think deeply about your own life too.
As a therapist, I often use myths too and it is fascinating to get a different philosophical rather then psychological perspective. West is a guest on my podcast: The Meaningful Life with Andrew G Marshall. Have a listen.
West grew up in the shadow of prison: his older brother, his father and his uncle all served time inside. However, he got an education, went to university and became middle class but the inherited guilt and unease about his luck haunts West. It is one of the reasons why he now goes into prisons to teach philosophy (and myths and legends) in prison.
Each chapter revolves round a particular class (or theme) and West uses it to illuminate particular members of his class, his own skin in the topic and make a wider philosophical point. My advice would be to resist the temptation to rush through the book. Each short chapter is thought provoking and by laying himself so open, you cannot but help think deeply about your own life too.
As a therapist, I often use myths too and it is fascinating to get a different philosophical rather then psychological perspective. West is a guest on my podcast: The Meaningful Life with Andrew G Marshall. Have a listen.
April 11, 2022
Moving, thought-provoking, energising.
Ostensibly about prison, this book made me think (as a schoolteacher in a mainstream Academy) how wrong we have got the education of our children. We need more thinking, more philosophy, more engaging people with their own (and each other's) thoughts, not just telling them what to think.
This book does not give answers, but it does ask all the important questions.
Ostensibly about prison, this book made me think (as a schoolteacher in a mainstream Academy) how wrong we have got the education of our children. We need more thinking, more philosophy, more engaging people with their own (and each other's) thoughts, not just telling them what to think.
This book does not give answers, but it does ask all the important questions.
May 2, 2022
Fantastic, important book that rehumanises prisoners alongside an exploration of mental burdens we carry around without always realising.
Loved it
Loved it
January 27, 2024
An interesting and insightful memoir which gives an interesting perspective of life in prisons in the UK and the severe challenges and failures of our penal system and the people it impacts. An engaging and well written book.
April 7, 2022
this memoir intersects so many different themes, most of them are potentially quite heavy but this book never felt heavy or hard going.
i found everything interesting and well written, but also still very human. a different type of memoir, a great read.
i found everything interesting and well written, but also still very human. a different type of memoir, a great read.
December 6, 2023
Yazarın babası, abisi, dayısı hep hapse girip girip çıkmış insanlar. Anlatımından özellikle babasının ve dayısının dürtüsel, tahmin edilemez kişiler olduğunu ve abisinin de bağımlılık sorunu olduğunu görebiliyoruz. Yazar ailesini çok sevse ve bağlı olsa da onlarla beraber yaşdıklarının çocukluğunu ve nasıl biri olduğunu oldukça etkilemiş olduğunu söyleyebiliriz.
Öyle ki yazar ailesinden ona geçen bir suçluluk duygusundan bahsediyor. Sanki her an bir suç işleyebilirmiş gibi hissediyor. Bu kafasında sürekli onu suçlayan, itham eden sese cellatım diyor. Bu düşünceleri ve hisleri öyle yoğun ki bir şekilde yolu hapishanede mahkumlara felsefe öğretmeye çıkıyor. Ailedeki bu travmatik miras ona da geçiyor, sadece farklı bir şekilde. Hatta bir yerde bilinçaltında bile olsa bir suç işler diye düşünmüştüm ki bu da yaşanmış.
Hapishane hapishane gezerken ve felsefe anlatırken hem yazarın hayatıyla kurduğunu bağları hem de mahkumların kendi yaşantıları ile felsefe tartışmaları arasında kurdukları bağlantıları okumak oldukça ilgi çekiciydi. Yazar onlara neredeyse ön yargısız yaklaşıyor. Suçlarını düşünmeden onları anlattıkları üzerine konuşmaya teşvik ediyor.
Bence farklı türde bir anı kitabıydı. Hem felsefe hem ailedeki travma döngüsü, bağımlılık gibi konuları hem de hapihane hayatını bir araya getirmişti. İlginizi çektiyse listenize eklemeniz tavsiye edilir.
Öyle ki yazar ailesinden ona geçen bir suçluluk duygusundan bahsediyor. Sanki her an bir suç işleyebilirmiş gibi hissediyor. Bu kafasında sürekli onu suçlayan, itham eden sese cellatım diyor. Bu düşünceleri ve hisleri öyle yoğun ki bir şekilde yolu hapishanede mahkumlara felsefe öğretmeye çıkıyor. Ailedeki bu travmatik miras ona da geçiyor, sadece farklı bir şekilde. Hatta bir yerde bilinçaltında bile olsa bir suç işler diye düşünmüştüm ki bu da yaşanmış.
Hapishane hapishane gezerken ve felsefe anlatırken hem yazarın hayatıyla kurduğunu bağları hem de mahkumların kendi yaşantıları ile felsefe tartışmaları arasında kurdukları bağlantıları okumak oldukça ilgi çekiciydi. Yazar onlara neredeyse ön yargısız yaklaşıyor. Suçlarını düşünmeden onları anlattıkları üzerine konuşmaya teşvik ediyor.
Bence farklı türde bir anı kitabıydı. Hem felsefe hem ailedeki travma döngüsü, bağımlılık gibi konuları hem de hapihane hayatını bir araya getirmişti. İlginizi çektiyse listenize eklemeniz tavsiye edilir.
February 9, 2024
I would write something unique but there's already a review on here written by someone called Vanessa which sums up pretty neatly why this book is so special. You might as well read that instead.
April 4, 2022
This was such an interesting book, and I’m extremely grateful that the author sent me a review copy so I could check it out. Andy West teaches philosophy to prisoners, and this book is more than his experience and conversations doing so. Throughout the book, Andy also shares stories from his personal life such as his troubled relationship with his dad and much more. You not only get a peek inside of what it’s like for these people in prison to ponder philosophical questions, but you also get a narrative from Andy about what it’s like teaching them and the questions he asks himself as well.
By far, my favorite part of this book is the conversations he has with prisoners. I don’t know if it’s because I’m a former drug addict who got really into philosophy, but I love these parts of the book. I’ve read a lot of philosophy books, and they’re all from an academic point of view or someone breaking down the words of ancient philosophers. But what if you went and got the perspectives and interpretations from people in prison? The answers Andy gets from the people in prison are so interesting, and the conversations and debates around all sorts of philosophical questions had me hooked.
I loved this book, but honestly, now I just want Andy to write a complete second book just of conversations with prisoners and other unheard groups about philosophy.
By far, my favorite part of this book is the conversations he has with prisoners. I don’t know if it’s because I’m a former drug addict who got really into philosophy, but I love these parts of the book. I’ve read a lot of philosophy books, and they’re all from an academic point of view or someone breaking down the words of ancient philosophers. But what if you went and got the perspectives and interpretations from people in prison? The answers Andy gets from the people in prison are so interesting, and the conversations and debates around all sorts of philosophical questions had me hooked.
I loved this book, but honestly, now I just want Andy to write a complete second book just of conversations with prisoners and other unheard groups about philosophy.
September 4, 2022
A fantastic memoir that has reignited my interest in philosophy.
Andy’s written combination of his own family history intertwined with the musings and views of those he teaches makes for a fascinating read. Throughout the book we get to experience Andys introspection as he relates what he hears to his own experiences and ponders on the nature/nurture anxieties inside of himself. Something that would resonate with many who work in public services.
This book is as thought provoking as it is heartwarming.
Andy’s written combination of his own family history intertwined with the musings and views of those he teaches makes for a fascinating read. Throughout the book we get to experience Andys introspection as he relates what he hears to his own experiences and ponders on the nature/nurture anxieties inside of himself. Something that would resonate with many who work in public services.
This book is as thought provoking as it is heartwarming.
August 6, 2022
Exponential, unique and at times disturbing as one might figure out before picking up this book. I love the subtle details that West picks up on, but who wouldn’t analyse everything when you’re teaching in prison. Being a philosophy buff I thought this book was for me but it was getting to the point where I was really antsy to finish so I ended up not finishing it, perhaps too long but great stories in there though worth checking out even if it’s only for a few pages.
May 1, 2024
As a mature student I studied philosophy at university, and long before then I had discovered some of the great philosophers and I still read it today. But much as I enjoy philosophy and even though I have in the past worked with prisoners and ex-offenders (mainly on issues relating to sexual health), I would never have thought it possible to teach philosophy in prisons. That is exactly what Andy West, author of "The Life Inside: A Memoir of Prison, Family and Philosophy" did - and does. In this amazing, insightful, moving and sometimes funny memoir, Andy describes teaching philosophy to prisoners, ranging from those with short sentences to lifers, men and women, those with a good education and the many whose literacy is low. Some of those he teaches include heroin addicts and those convicted of serious sexual offences. And he manages to do so successfully.
He gets prisoners to discuss some of the most difficult philosophers, including the likes of Zeno, Plato, Derrida, Descartes, Hegel, Nietzsche and others, as well as the ideas of radical writers like feminist Audre Lord and civil rights activist Malcolm X, plus some eastern philosophers. He uses writers ranging from Homer to Dostoevsky to Kafka to Samuel Beckett and others to explore some of these ideas. He gets prisoners to use their own experiences, inside and outside of prison, to discuss major ideas such as: do we have free will? is forgiveness possible? What do we mean by truth? What does it mean to be alive? Is Salvation possible? What is home? and much, much more. And the prisoners, regardless of the level of their education and literacy, respond and seriously debate these issues in ways that are instructive and challenging. One prisoner describes his sessions as like being free for the duration.
He also describes the petty bureaucracy, which often resembles cruelty, that forms the basis of much of prison life. He includes descriptions of conflict inside, of violence, drug use and alienation.
And he relates all of this to his own life. To the fact that his father, his uncle and his brother have all been in prison, that he feels guilt that he has only avoided that fate because he saw what happened to these family members. He discusses his own mental health issues, including feeling he is inhabited by an "executioner" who continually undermines him.
This is an amazing book. It not only highlights the author's own personal dilemmas and fears, but also shows what can be achieved with skill, determination, empathy and a willingness to take risks. He shows that even the most hardened prisoners guilty of the most appalling crimes can, regardless of their level of education, respond positively when treated as intelligent human beings with something to offer and something to say.
He gets prisoners to discuss some of the most difficult philosophers, including the likes of Zeno, Plato, Derrida, Descartes, Hegel, Nietzsche and others, as well as the ideas of radical writers like feminist Audre Lord and civil rights activist Malcolm X, plus some eastern philosophers. He uses writers ranging from Homer to Dostoevsky to Kafka to Samuel Beckett and others to explore some of these ideas. He gets prisoners to use their own experiences, inside and outside of prison, to discuss major ideas such as: do we have free will? is forgiveness possible? What do we mean by truth? What does it mean to be alive? Is Salvation possible? What is home? and much, much more. And the prisoners, regardless of the level of their education and literacy, respond and seriously debate these issues in ways that are instructive and challenging. One prisoner describes his sessions as like being free for the duration.
He also describes the petty bureaucracy, which often resembles cruelty, that forms the basis of much of prison life. He includes descriptions of conflict inside, of violence, drug use and alienation.
And he relates all of this to his own life. To the fact that his father, his uncle and his brother have all been in prison, that he feels guilt that he has only avoided that fate because he saw what happened to these family members. He discusses his own mental health issues, including feeling he is inhabited by an "executioner" who continually undermines him.
This is an amazing book. It not only highlights the author's own personal dilemmas and fears, but also shows what can be achieved with skill, determination, empathy and a willingness to take risks. He shows that even the most hardened prisoners guilty of the most appalling crimes can, regardless of their level of education, respond positively when treated as intelligent human beings with something to offer and something to say.
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June 5, 2022Andy West tells us not only astonishing stories about residing inside a prison cell, but the book also lets us participate in the author's feelings, thoughts, and experiences in his personal life, troubled relationships, and constant fears of ending up like his father or uncle. It shows how philosophical thinking has changed and psychologically drives his own life. The book is not only educating with respect to the different life skills and topics throughout the book, I also felt honoured to have had the chance to receive familiar impressions about the 'inside life' of the prisoners. He has my utmost respect in taking account of the conversation he had with them in the philosophy class. The story that touched me most was about kindness. His service as a philosophy teacher in the prison is to let those inside escape from the current situation and to walk from the 'philosophical landing' in prison to an imagined world outside in which they want to live. It is amazing to read on what learning journeys some prisoners embarked; some detainees experienced through his teaching a kind of transformation in their own lives. This was such an interesting book, and I can only wholeheartedly recommend the reading for anyone interested in getting to know how transformative philosophical thinking could be, for oneself and for others.
July 16, 2023
What I loved about this book is that it is party biographical and party a philosophical comment on incarceration. The author teaches Philosophy in prisons and uses his lectures to introduce us to a range of characters. He also has had a family history with incarceration. It is a deeply moving book about the human costs of prison.
May 29, 2022
I enjoyed reading this book and it was quite interesting to gain a personal and philosophical insight surrounding the issues faced by inmates and their loved ones. It also sheds further light on the necessity and importance of reforming the prison system. I definitely recommend this reading!
December 19, 2022
This was a slow and intense read. West teaches philosophy to prisoners and this book is about his experiences dealing with the prisoners and his own demons. The scars of living with a brother who served time haunts his memories and day-t0-day interactions with the prisoners.
December 25, 2022
West teaches prisoners in the UK. Even brainy philosophical problems like Zeno's paradox and Theseus's ship become full of existential import. Loved it
May 4, 2023
Andy writes beautifully. It's moving, poetic but also full of insight into the prison system. I'd recommend this to everyone - it spans genres, from memoir to philosophy to political commentary.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews