God is Not in the Thesaurus: Stories from an Oklahoma Prison

Having read some of Mr. Cox's short meditations, I wondered if his longer work would have the same immediacy and impact. No need to worry - this collection is even more powerful and moving than his meditations. Mr. Cox has an original, deeply personal and moving style. I've gained three things from his work. First, he has given me a new view on the people who live in prisons, and our penal institutions. Second, he illuminated the realities of chemical dependence that really helped me (even more than the Al-Anon literature I've poured over, useful though it is). Third, he has inspired my own spiritual life during several dark nights of the soul. Therefore, I give this a high (and very grateful) recommendation.

This book has great meaning for me and my adult son. He has read it to his fourth grade Sunday school class. I plan to share it with my middle school Sunday school group as we study spirituality. The students listened with interest to the chapter titled "The Old Folks." and want to read more. I hope we can have a correspondence with the author.

I have had the pleasure of actually meeting and visitning with Bo. I don't think that there is a better representation of wonderful people in prison than Bo Cox. This book jerked tears from my soul. I have actually worked at Joseph Harp, the facility where Bo is currently housed. He stood by the tree outside the unit, often times with "Jerry" and always took the time to say, "Good Morning" as I walked by. This book is very, very true. It paints an extremely vivid picture of Bo's day-to-day life. Bo, I cannot wait to hear that you have been released from state custody. You and Deb deserve a great life, and I know that God has a plan for the both of you. Keep praying, smiling, and believing. God Bless You and Keep You.

I want to say thank you to Bo Don Cox for writing this book and opening his life to others. I was so moved and felt as thought I had made a friend by the time I was through reading. I am from Oklahoma and I know all the places Bo wrote about, but what made me feel connected was the humbling of the flesh and the desire to know God more intimately. 1 Peter 5:6-7

Mr. Cox not only takes you inside a prison. He writes with the immediacy and openness that make you feel he is having a personal conversation with you, the reader. I literally could not put this book down.I live in a city that has major crime problems. I want anyone who commits a crime locked up. I came to this book with some trepidation. But Mr. Cox has put a human face on prisoners. He has made me think. He has spoken to me through this book in a most personal way. I recommend this book highly. It will change the way you think and feel about prisoners.