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| Customer Reviews: | | Average Customer Review: ( 7 customer reviews )
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9 of 9 found the following review helpful:
The choice to be free Dec 11, 2009
By G. C. Jaquet
No book has had such a profound and lasting impact on me as Messages of Life from Death Row. The unimaginable contrast between the terribly harsh life on Texas death row and the peaceful dignity of Roger McGowen, an innocent man sentenced to death more than 22 years ago, has shaken me to the core.
In the solitude of his tiny cell, Roger found his way to true inner freedom, and discovered that life is worth living even in the worst possible conditions. He realized that even when deprived of almost all liberties, one can always choose which thoughts to entertain, one can choose, each day, to forgive, to love, to hope, to bless. When everything has been taken away, what remain are our thoughts, our emotions and feelings, and our freedom to do what we choose with them.
In an environment that seems designed to make men feel like worthless refuses of mankind, Roger McGowen learned the infinitely precious value of every life, no matter how miserable it appears. The indomitable courage and strength, the gentle, unassuming dignity and wisdom that pervade his letters are an inspiration to never feel a victim again and to realize that what matters is TODAY and how I decide to live it. Happiness, joy, purpose, fullness of life...come from within, from assuming total responsibility for one's own existence. Roger shows us how to welcome every day as a gift and how to love unconditionally...
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
Making the best of the worst.- Jan 18, 2010
By Tzaut Olivier
Thank you for a beautiful book! Roger McGowen's letters are the perfect example of the power of forgiveness and of the decision to stop seeing oneself as a victim of life's circumstances. It is a magnificent plea for unconditional love. Thank you, Roger McGowen! I will pray for you to be free one day, a day as close as possible.-
4 of 5 found the following review helpful:
Incredibly inspiring Jan 15, 2010
By Lex Samu
This book is wonderfully inspiring. I would recommend reading Pierre's first book, The Gentle Art of Blessing (see my review on that page), first, to get an idea of the practice and outlook of blessing. Reading about Roger has made me realize we can truly bless and love others (and even our circumstances) no matter what is happening. After reading The Gentle Art of Blessing several times, this book is further inspiring me to see what is actually possible with the idea of sending love out everywhere. Roger McGowen has shown me that we can change ourselves and the world through the way we choose to be. The way we choose to react. This book isn't just a great read. Just like 'The Gentle Art of Blessing', you will walk away from this book with a simple (but not, necessarily, easy!) practice that will change your life and the life of others in wonderful and amazing ways.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Highly recommended Dec 05, 2010
By Midwest Book Review
When the guillotine dangles over head, you come far more appreciative of the importance of life. "Messages of Life from Death Row" is a collection of correspondence between author Pierre Pradervand and Roger McGowen, a death row inmate Pradervand believes was unjustly convicted. Speaking out against the death penalty and its many faults, "Messages of Life from Death Row" comes with a simple and profound message, highly recommended.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
This book increased my appreciation & gratitude for the simple things of life... Feb 10, 2010
By J. Piper
This book opened my eyes to so much that I have taken for granted. The simple freedom to look out my window and see a beuatiful tree, the flowers, children playing, -- Roger does not have. Roger's message of what he experiences as life on death row will make you look at your life, your freedoms, the simple pleasures from a new perspective. In that sense, it increases one's appreciation for life & gratitude for one's freedoms, -- this, in itself is a profound thing for a book to do. Although the most simplest of freedoms are deprived from Roger, there is no complaining, - yes, occasional frustration, -- but he has found a way to overcome even this frustration and be at peace even in his surroundings. Surely, his message can help us do the same. The book, The Gentle Art of Blessing, became his tool to chisel his way out of his mental prison & find the beauty & joy of life right within the present moment. He has found the freedom to bless others and does bless others -- including those who are the most hate-filled. In this way, he is perhaps freer than those of us on the "outside". Roger's books & letters are an inspiration to us all. They will open your heart to a greater appreciation of your life -- regardless of where you find yourself today. I highly recommend it, along with the book, The Gentle Art of Blessing, also by Pierre Pradervand.
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