The Sun Does Shine: How I Found Life and Freedom on Death Row (Oprah's Book Club Summer 2018 Selection)

I can’t recommend highly enough. This book is literally life changing! Essentially an autobiographical account of a miscarriage of justice. The author spent 30 years on death row for a crime he did not commit. He is not bitter and writes with humanity. He and this book are inspirational.

Most times my reading choices are not dictated by Oprah's suggestions for her book club, but in the case of this book, I made an exception when I saw Anthony Ray Hinton being interviewed on CBS This Morning.The man was articulate and compelling about his life on Death Row, all while having been innocent of the crimes for which he was sentenced. That he found innovative ways to survive his incarceration, including starting a book club among the inmates on the Row, just added to my choice to read this book. When the interview ended, I immediately ordered the book from Amazon. Although I didn't immediately start reading it after it arrived (I had other books ahead), once I dived in, I couldn't stop.Now about the book:Hinton had his life taken away from him just because of his race. With a justice system rigged against him, he was arrested for the murder of two men, convicted of the crimes, and sent to Death Row to be put to death. Railroaded by a justice system that include the prosecutor, judge, jury, and his court-appointed lawyer, despite the fact he was innocent, Hinton spent nearly thirty years in a 5X7 cell, trying everything within the legal system to overturn his conviction to free him. With the help of his strong faith, his mama, his best friend Lester, and the relentless lawyer and good friend, Bryan Stevenson, he hung on finding family and friends among his fellow inmates.Truly compelling reading, with heartbreaking sections that had this reader reaching for tissues.Truncated from the Afterword: "Statistically, one out of every ten men on the list (as of March 2017) is innocent. Read through the names. Each has a family, a story, a series of choices and events that have led to a life spent in a cage. Read their names. Do you know who is wrongfully convicted? Do you know who is innocent? Read their names. My name was once on this list. Just another name in a long list of names. Another person deemed irredeemable. The worst kind of cold-blooded killer that ever walked this earth.""Only it wasn't true.""Read the names out loud.""After every tenth name, say, 'Innocent.'""Add your son or your daughter's name to the list. Add my name to the list. Add your own.""The death penalty is broken, and you are either part of the death squad or you are banging on the bars." (pages 243, 244)Then follows the names of all the people on Death Row from every state as of March 2017. It is sobering.

As described

while reading this book i’ve been sad, broken, cried and infact felt helpless.Anthony Ray Hinton spent approx 30 years of his life in jail , sentenced to death for committing no crime !it’s not easy for anyone to face such darkest situations in their lives .we can’t even imagine the pain he had gone through during those long years filled with sorrow and tears .still Mr.Hinton always had being positive, believed in faith and uplifting all the hopes for good to happen.sometimes Mr.Hinton made me laugh and happy through his great spilled words and inspiration !This book is truly Brave , inspirational and such a wonderful emotional and bitter journey of Mr.Hinton’s life .This book is not just a autobiography, it also gives you the value of life, friendship, love and humanity !Huge big fat thanks to ophra winfrey for recommending this book for all her fans through her instagram post !

Excellent Read!