NGL, reading this book pissed me off so much at some parts, I couldn't even think straight. What he went through was so horrible, Although I read it a bit ago, The contents are continually sketched in my brain and will continue to do so for quite some time. And although victimized because of the system, no one that was a culprit was charged nor made amends for what they did. What happened to him and black men like him are atrocious and downright disgusting.

Marked for Life is a surprisingly positive memoir written by a man who has every reason to be angry.

Isaac Wright, Jr.’s story should have shocked me. The fact that it didn’t speaks volumes about how broken our so-called justice system was then and still is now.

Isaac shares the facts of his own case, in which he was basically set up, arrested, and imprisoned for being a successful Black man. He also shares general background information on the effects of racism and corruption within police departments, courts, and jails.

His initial arrest took place in the late 1980s. I’d like to believe things have improved since then, though progress is marginal.

I love that, instead of letting anger and bitterness swallow him up, Isaac used this horrific experience as a launching point to help others in similar situations.

Marked for Life is an amazing story. It is powerful, thought-provoking and one that made me very angry. It follows Isaac Wright Jr's journey through an unjust and corrupt justice system. He was wrongly accused, and used by a system that was more concerned about appearing to be cleaning up the drug situation than actually finding and putting the real culprits behind bars. This is a story about never giving up, not letting something that could break you actually break you and fighting for what was right. There are bad apples in every walk of life and every profession, but learning about this case was eye opening. How often does this happen? It definitely makes the death penalty look less appealing as a consequence for crime. I was in awe of what Isaac Wright Jr. did with his life, he could have gone in so many different ways. Not only did he finally get justice for himself, but for so many others as well. Using his time while incarcerated to become a lawyer and spend his life helping others who were wrongly imprisoned is inspirational. If you enjoy memoirs, books about finding justice, books about characters (in this case real) who make the best of terrible situations and never give up, then you need to read this book. Thank you Isaac Wright Jr for sharing your story and reminding us that everything is not what it seems. I definitely recommend Marked For Life.

This memoir was pretty on-brand for my reading taste. Wright tells the story of being accused of a crime he did not commit, becoming his own attorney, and proving himself innocent from inside his prison cell. I was especially interested in this book because it took place in my home state, New Jersey, and I practice criminal defense law.
It took me until about the 40% point to become very invested in the story, but once I was, I was hooked and read quickly to get to the end.

I would recommend this to fans of THE SUN SHINES SHINE, CORRECTIONS IN INK and A KNOCK AT MIDNIGHT.

Powerful and impactful. A book I would definitely recommend to anybody.

Often happens that, we get a better understanding of the topic of wrongful convictions when we hear it directly from the person wrongfully convicted. Thank you Isaac Wright Jr. for sharing your story with us. A very eye-opening example of not giving up, and also an infuriating eye-opener on our Justice System and how flowed it was in this case.

I couldn't help but feel really bad for all that he went through and how he was treated but again also impressed with how he fought and won. I can only imagine all the trauma he suffered and continues suffering but hopefully, his story helps to make more progress in the justice system and for all the other people going through the same situation Isaac experienced.

Thank you St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for the free Advanced Copy in Exchange for an honest review.

Wendy

Thank you Isaac Wright, Jr. for sharing your story! As a reader, I felt like I was looking over your shoulder as you fought the injustice of being arrested as a “king pin,” Later, sitting as a defendant in a courtroom with a crooked prosecutor, judge, and detectives. Then, your time in prison and the prison library. Your book should be required reading for anyone going into law enforcement! Thank you for channeling your anger into good as you help others! I know I will be reading your memoir a second time! I will also be asking my book club to read your memoir. My thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for an ARC of this book. The opinions in this review are my own.

Isaac Wright, Jr. , thank you for sharing your story with the world. Several years ago I read The Sun Does Shine: How I Found Life and Freedom on Death Row by Anthony Ray Hinton. That book had a profound effect on my naive perception of criminal justice. There are so many parallels to your stories and I find myself with the utmost respect for your perseverance, tenacity, and determination to seek justice, both for yourself and others. On the other hand, I can’t help but think of the thousands of others the system has failed that don’t have the intelligence or strength to fight the wrongs against them. I cannot imagine spending even one hour in the cockroach infested cell. My heart actually bleeds for those innocent people subjected to the inhumane treatment you describe.
There are honest and dishonest people in every profession, but to think that those who have control over another’s very life can so cavalierly lie to achieve their own goals is so very disheartening. I was gladdened to read that several prison employees recognized your determination and grew to respect you.
Congratulations on receiving your law degree - well earned for sure. Keep making the noise and shaking the bars loud enough for everyone to hear you. Your story is a true inspiration and should be required reading for everyone. On a personal note, I am hoping that you have been able to reconnect with your beloved daughter.
My sincere appreciation to Isaac Wright, Jr. for sharing your story, St. Martin’s Press for publishing this profound read, and NetGalley for affording me the opportunity to read an arc of this incredible book, published on November 8th.

I was invited to read Marked For Life back in June, and after I saw its comparison to non fiction favorite The Sun Does Shine I had no other option but to add it to my shelves. The blurb sounds indeed similar, and it made me go in with high expectations... And I have to say that those expectations were more than met. Marked For Life is not an easy read, and will most likely make you feel outraged by the racial discrimination and corruption on all levels. It's a true eye opener to just how unfair the whole justice system can be, and how hard it can be for someone innocent to fight that system and redeem himself.

Marked For Life is the memoir of Isaac Wright Jr. and mainly focuses on the time leading up to his arrest, what happens to him afterwards and how he was able to get his freedom back. There are also glimpses at his earlier life included, giving his background more color while also understanding his character better. It is truly admirable how he is able to overcome the injustice of his arrest and aftermath... Fighting corruption and false charges all around. It was inspiring to see him rise above it all, and using his intelligence to learn about the law and start fighting back.

The writing is very engaging and flows naturally, making it really easy to keep turning those pages. True, there is quite some legal talk included, but somehow it didn't slow down the pace and made the story feel even more authentic instead. The chapters set in prison were especially fascinating to read, and his road to redemption in general is very satisfying. It shows that there is always hope as long as someone is willing to fight for it, and that lies and corruption are very hard to successfully brush under the carpet indeed.

All in all Marked For Life turned out to be a very powerful and well written memoir that questions racial discrimination and police/justice corruption as well as the other side of the war on drugs. Highly recommended!

The amazing story of Issac Wright. This story really touched me because to hear about someone wrongful being accused and spending time in jail. But to read about it and in such detail. A must read.

A digital ARC of this book was provided to me by NetGalley and St. Martin's Press. The opinions are my own and freely given.

I was excited to read this book because I was a fan of the show For Life which is based on Isaac's story. This book, written by Isaac, chronicles his life from the arrest to the conviction to him fighting the courts and prosecution for his freedom. It tells the story of one man who is falsely imprisoned and how he fights to get freed. It goes through why he decided to defend himself and how that defense leads him to fight for others in the prison system. He fought to change the way things are done within the prison and he fought to change laws. As much as he tried to keep to himself, he just found himself in with the wrong people that lead him down this path. I learned a lot about the justice system and a lot about the prison system. I would highly recommend this book. Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and Isaac Wright Jr.

Phenomenal story told by a brilliant man. Sadly this unfortunate experience happened to an innocent man, robbing him of many years of his life for a crime he never committed. Convicted to life in prison by a corrupt DA, judge and police officers who corroborated and offered plea deals to criminals in exchange for a false statements accusing him of being a drug Kingpin. It’s possible, but very unlikely, that they thought they had a guilty man. All the evidence pointed to the contrary. I couldn’t put this down, I kept cheering for the good guy to win as he was in the battle for his life. Incredibly he analyzed every play to the smallest detail, hedged his bets and kept on the positive side of the terrible hand he was dealt. He did so much good representing the underdogs that didn’t have a fighting chance in improving their situations. What an amazingly strong, obviously brilliant individual. I’m thankful he shared his story, it’s one that needs to be told. I believe everyone comes to earth with a purpose, and his path, although not pretty is definitely clear, you just can’t physically can’t see his wings.
Many thanks to St. Martin’s press and Netgalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

It's hard to believe and truly maddening, that this is a true story. Isaac shows all the failures of the American justice system. Corrupt prosecutors and cops can and probably will happen anywhere, but what strikes me as a Germany most are two things that I can't see here: the widely offered deals to avoid trials and the jury that decides over life and potentially death.

I will never tire of books about people who fight for justice after being wrongly convicted. The heartache of this happening to so many people in our society is devastating. Nothing seems to be done about it either. I've been reading about these stories for 30 years! This has to stop.
Isaac Wright Jr. tells his own story, and he writes very well. Jailed for being a "drug kingpin", he was pressured into making a false confession. He studied, he handled his own case, he took the bar exam and passed! He won, and was released. He now fights for the oppressed. A heroic man, I heeded that call of St. Martin's Press to read this book and spread the word. A call to action in cases such as this is always warranted.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press for forwarding a copy for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for a ARC to review. There's no mystery that the justice system is incredibly unjust, particularly to men of color. The case of Isaac Wright Jr. is chilling and particularly so when you know his is not an isolated case. Anyone who believes in the death sentence needs to read and understand how many people are wrongly convicted and put to death. This book should be read by all legislators.

This book was frightening to read. It made my blood boil to read how the justice system in this case was so flawed. The case against Isaac was racist and simply a matter of wanting to convict him no matter what. The prosecution had to win even if they had to play dirty, and they did.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Want to start off by thanking NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for a ARC to review.

I've never heard of Isaac Wright Jr but I did watch the TV show inspired by his life. So once I stumbled across that link I knew I had to read this book.

Growing up in Indiana I was always pro death penalty and stayed that way until my 30's when I learned about the West Memphis Three. Since then I've learn just how messed up the justice system can be. Add in a race factor and it's easy to see just how messed up the justice system can be..

I'd give the book a solid 5 stars and highly recommend it.

An incredible story of a young black man being wrongfully accused of a drug crime. Exposed as a “king pin” by the prosecuting attorneys, judge and jury. They bribed witnesses, police and unknowns to testify against Isaac, offering the real culprits reduced sentences to lie in court.
Sentenced to life in jail Isaac realised that to survive he had to look after himself and soon learnt he could trust nobody. He started reading law books in the prison library. He soon became immersed and was determined to find a way to exonerate himself. An amazing man and an amazing story, so well written you won’t want to put it down.

This is a powerful book. What a story! It brings up all kinds of emotions. Isaac Wright, Jr. was a black man- I can’t really say in the wrong place at the wrong time but I don’t know how else to describe how the story starts. I don’t like making my review into book reports and I especially do not want to give away this story. For the most part, I loved this book. What I didn’t personally find the sections where Mr. Wright went into the history of rulings and background of different points. I understand why that was necessary but I usually read to relax and didn’t find those parts interesting to me. Very powerful book. Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for allowing me to read an advance copy for my honest review.