Cain's Redemption
by Dennis Shere
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Book Summary Information
Author: Dennis ShereEdition: Paperback
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown); English (Published)
Published: 2005-08-01
ISBN: 1881273245
Number of pages: 208
Publisher: Northfield Publishing
Book Reviews of Cain's Redemption
Book Review: Needs perspective...
Summary: 3 Stars
I read this book immediately after reading "God of the Rodeo" (GOR), the book mentioned in the preface that "burned" Warden Cain. I am extremely glad that I read both of these books, because they both present important and conflicting perspectives, and, as usual, the truth likely lies somewhere in the middle. The problem with a book about a prison is that political, social, and religious views will always cloud the pictures being portrayed, and for someone with a relatively centrist view...or at least a difficult to categorize point of view...the only way to come to any understanding is to listen to both sides.
"Cain's Redemption" begins by clearly stating that Burl Cain, a very religious man, essentially convinced a Christian publishing company to write a book about him, and found a religious Christian to write it, particularly about the religious missionary work utilized in the prison to foster self-improvement among the inmates. This was a clear attempt by Cain to rehab his image after multiple run-ins with those who are his authorities in well-publicized controversies. However, as a foil to Mr. Bergner's book absolutely condemning Warden Cain, this book does an excellent job of stating a case for his work at Angola. Unfortunately, on it's own, CR is just a slab of right wing propaganda in support of a religious pal...
Now I do not at all reject the idea that increasing religion in the prison culture has led to tremendous changes at Angola. In fact, I'm sure it has. Nor do I believe that Burl Cain is in any way innocent of many of the charges that have been made against him over the years. I have lived in Louisiana long enough to know how politics work here among the good ol' boys. I have also been to Angola enough times (for the rodeo, of course) to be very impressed with it as a notorious maximum security prison that has become an example among peers. But Mr. Shere is very willing to ignore anything that is unpalatable in order to exalt the warden in every way, and that makes this book bland and predictable. The book is also not very well written. This book gets 3 stars from me because it produces perspective for GOR. It's not as well written and it's not nearly as entertaining or juicy, but it serves an important purpose in providing the other side of the argument. Another problem with this book is that it is not really about Angola or the inmates, it is about Burl Cain, which was a disappointment.
If you have read either of these books, please read the other, and if you are considering reading one of them, please consider reading both. I think you will be better informed and happy that you did. This is by no means a "must read", unless you have read GOR...
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