Rock Hard: Autobiography of Former Alcatraz Inmate Leon "Whitey" Thompson

Leon "Whitey" Thompson shares his experiences serving time in what is undoubtedly one of America's most (in)famous prisons, Alcatraz aka The Rock. To better put his time and personality changes there in a clear perspective, Thompson also tells of his tortured childhood at the hands of an abusive alcoholic father and the criminal exploits it led him to and which subsequently got him into prison. Using the third person narrative, Thompson paints himself as a dangerously volatile man prone to violent outbursts of temper. It is these outbursts that landed him on The Rock, but it is there that he overcame those troubles and attempted to turn his life around. Sadly it was not to be, Whitey returned to prison one more time...Rock Hard is an engrossing read that is a tad melodramatic. At times it reads more like a dimestore pulp novel than a true to life account, but the old cliche 'life is stranger than fiction' should be kept in mind. Thompson details how life in prison can be a maddening repetition of the same boring routine, one that can drain the sanity from you. Yet it can also contain moments of humanity and humor. After reading the book I can feel nothing but respect for Thompson and what he has managed to accomplish in his reformed life. Highly recommended to True Crime buffs and those interested in studies of prison life.

I am still shocked that it took me 11 years to finally open the pages to this book, but when I did I never put it down, Why you might ask? Whitey is cold, hard and calculating throughout the book, never giving into anything and showing the reader into the mind of a hardened criminal. I for one have a better knowledge of what life was truly like in Alcatraz, if just for a period of five years. If you want to read a book cover to cover in one day, pick this book up, and i know you will want to buy Merry go Round, which is the conclusion of Whiteys life in and out of prison until now. By the way, Whitey has really turned his life around, and I am proud to have met him.

I picked up the book shortly after I bought it to look at it, and could not put it down. I closed the cover that evening finished. I is a very good book and I would recommend it to anyone. I had very little interest in the subject of Alcatraz before I read it. It is just that good. I also took a lot more understanding away once I was finished. By all means, buy it!

This is a very good book, my favorite book in fact. I am only a teen, yet I am obsessed with Alcatraz. After reading this book I became aware of how terrible prison life can be. Whitey is a great man for writing this book, and I would recommend it to anyone.

This was a very interesting book indeed. How Whitey was brought up in the world. An unloved little boy who wasn't cared for and grew up not caring for anyone really except himself. The book was easy to read and at times I had to keep reminding myself that it was a "true story". It really thought as though I was looking through his eyes as I read the book, imagining what it would have sounded and looked like. Overall I enjoyed reading the book and would recommend it to anyone.