Willow in a Storm: A Memoir

James Peter Taylor's memoir, Willow in a Storm, attests to the incredible strength required to weather the stream of injustices launched at him over and over again through decades of incarceration. First arrested in 1950 for impersonating an FBI agent to retain the privilege of keeping his date out late, Taylor began a series of petty crimes that resulted in repeated confinements until his spree spiraled into the unthinkable: murder. Though he never intended to commit such a heinous crime, events transpired which resulted in Taylor taking the life of a banker in a botched robbery attempt. His case became the springboard for one man's political career, and Taylor was subsequently imprisoned for the maximum length of time possible. Attempts at parole were repeatedly denied through strategic maneuvering on the part of prison officials. Willow in a Storm chronicles Taylor's life, from his earliest memories through his time spent in various correctional facilities, to his current state of affairs. While he repeats many times that his early life events are not justification for his criminal behavior, he does try to explain the various reasons he feels contributed to his precarious behavior. In his twenties, he began a pattern of using women and throughout his life, left a trail of failed marriages and fatherless children behind. Taylor's prison years detail the various forms of abuse inflicted upon him by fellow inmates, as well as guards. He gives the reader an intensive tour of an inmate's daily regime and the constant threats faced. An important fact the author notes is that only three percent of those given life sentences actually complete those sentences to be released. The rest die of natural causes or more likely become victims of prison violence. Taylor spent years adapting to his circumstances and creating a general plan for survival, but only after several suicide attempts. When he finally made the revelation that he would indeed persevere despite his predicament, it was a matter of strategy to overcome the jeopardy of prison life. Each chapter covers a specific block of time, and unfortunately, they are not in chronological order. The book could benefit from more organization. Even with a time line at the end, the progression of events is still quite confusing for the reader. I've had to refer to it several times in writing this review just to verify I was understanding the span of Taylor's life correctly. But the details and the author's passion for conveying his message are clear in the writing. Taylor became disabled--more specifically blinded--in an attack on his life while incarcerated, so his story had to be dictated to his wife, Kathleen Murphy-Taylor to create the book. Taylor has made attempts at atoning for his crimes over the years through altruism inspired by a novel he read while in prison. He regrets the loss he caused to the banker's family, and it is both fitting and beautiful that he dedicated the book to them. Through f

Once in awhile, the rehabilitation system does work - but never without cost. "Willow in a Storm" is the story of James Peter Taylor in its entirety. A man whose life started off well enough, once a star sports star as a child his life quickly fell into turmoil as a psychological backlash against his childhood abuse. His life spirals into an unintentional murder of a banker, which lands him in prison for forty years - a life sentence where he was set to die there. And he almost did, twice, one of those attempts leaving him blind. Somehow, he survives, finds inspiration, and makes a better person of himself. He's paroled, and now reveals his life story and all the turbulence and triumph that spilled from it. "Willow in a Storm" is a conflicting yet enthralling life story from the first page to the last, and is highly recommended for community library memoir shelves.

Trying to commit the perfect crime leads Jim Taylor to 43 years in prison. This true account details Taylor's privileged family circumstances, his survival tactics as an inmate in the brutal federal prison system and the slow steps he makes toward his eventual release. Written matter-of-factly and without sentimentality, Willow in a Storm rivets our attention on Taylor as he faces inhumane treatment, dangerous situations and a period of unjust incarceration. Although details are grim, there is always hope. Despite incredible obstacles and with the help of a few individuals who believe in him, Taylor changes from a callous to a caring person. This suspenseful, compelling and well-documented narrative exposes the U.S. corrections system from the inside.

This is an amazing book. It is not about prisons or penitentiaries. It is the story of a soul, the creation of a life. I by chance met Kathleen and Jim at their book reading and knew I was in the presence of a powerful, spiritual, loving man. I am deeply touched by his choice and determination to create a life of purpose, of being useful, being kind and generous. He is an example of light existing in perhaps the darkest place of our country in our time, our penal system. I have been in ministry most of my life, and one wonders what difference am I really making? I am deeply touched first by the impact of the chaplain in the Hennepin County Jail, Rev. Leo Vetvick, and even more by Larry Nelson, Supervisor of Education at the US Medical Center for Federal Prisoners. "This man saw in my eyes something good and he invited me into his domain as a potential contributor." (p.63) It is clear to me, it was their seeing goodness in Jim, their look and words of love that called forth in Jim, and made that profound difference in how he chose to live his life. I am reminded of Vicktor Frankl in the concentration camps, as described in his book, Man's Search for Meaning. Frankl says in those terrible conditions that he was free, and the guards were not. Jim lived Frankl's description of freedom. It is not freedom from coercion or control; it is inner strength, a freedom to choose making a difference, contributing, not being vengeful and retaliating, even in the most extreme circumstances. I honor James Peter Taylor for choosing life, a life of listening to his own heart in horrendous circumstances, creating a life of freedom, generosity, courage, service, peace, hope and love. Powerfully inspiring.

I found Willow in a Storm a most compelling memoir from beginning to end. Jim Taylor's account of journey from a difficult childhood through a troubled adolescence and early adulthood sets the stage well for the rest of the story, his incarcerations and finally his release. The psychological growth and spiritual evolution that he experiences are described in believable ways, and the fact that he survived and came through all this a whole person is an inspiration. I recommend Willow in a Storm for anyone who is interested in learning about our Federal prison system from the inside out, and for those who want to appreciate the amazing resiliancy of the human spirit.