Lessons from San Quentin: Everything I Needed to Know about Life I Learned in Prison

If Bill Dallas didn?t have it all, he had most of it. A diploma from a prestigious university, a lucrative career as a top California real estate entrepreneur, and more than enough money to fund a life filled with sports cars, penthouses, and beautiful women. And then it all fell apart. Convicted of grand theft embezzlement, the former golden boy found himself in one of the nation?s most infamous institutions-San Quentin, home of ?the worst of the worst.? He thought it was the end of everything. But the real story was about to begin. Lessons from San Quentin chronicles Bill?s journey from narcissistic playboy . . . to suicidal inmate . . . to spiritual apprentice. Along the way, it introduces us to his unlikely mentors-San Quentin?s ?Lifers,? who guided Bill to an unexpected relationship with God. Through a vivid and transparent recounting of stories from his prison experience, Bill shares 12 life principles he had to learn the hard way-and that can help you triumph over even the most difficult circumstances. From the Inside Flap From Convict to CEO Being a convicted felon isn't easy. Losing the trust of everyone around you is even worse. Going from the very top of life to the absolute bottom, that's . . . well, you get the picture. But that's exactly what happened to Bill Dallas. When years of shady financial dealings finally caught up with him, Bill found himself facing a five-year sentence in San Quentin State Prison. During his years as Prisoner #H64741, Bill learned to be free from the confines of the world, even while wearing the chains of his crimes. The lessons he learned behind bars were all the more valuable because his teachers were Lifers-men who had committed such terrible crimes that they were serving life sentences. Many of Bill's best friends were Lifers who had found the love of Christ and dedicated the remainder of their lives to His service. Bill served his time and embarked on a new life with God in control. Now CEO of a successful company, Bill uses stories and reflections from life on the inside to illustrate the twelve core principles he learned there-lessons that will inspire readers to use tough times to develop the character God wants them to have. From the Back Cover Once you're in-you're never the same. If Bill Dallas didn't have it all, he had most of it. A diploma from a prestigious university, a lucrative career as a top California real estate entrepreneur, and more than enough money to fund a life filled with sports cars, penthouses, and beautiful women. And then it all fell apart. Convicted of grand theft embezzlement, the former golden boy found himself in one of the nation's most infamous institutions-San Quentin, home of "the worst of the worst." He thought it was the end of everything. But the real story was about to begin. Lessons from San Quentin chronicles Bill's journey from narcissistic playboy to suicidal inmate to spiritual apprentice. Along the way, it introduces us to his unlikely mentors-San Quentin's "Lifers," who guided Bill to an unexpected relationship with God. Through a vivid and transparent recounting of stories from his prison experience, Bill shares life lessons he had to learn the hard way-but that can help you triumph over even the most difficult circumstances. About the Author Bill Dallas is the CEO of the Church Communication Network (CCN), a satellite and Internet communications company serving thousands of churches across North America. He hosts Solutions, a weekly satellite program with Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend. A former Young Life leader and Bible study teacher, Bill is a graduate of Vanderbilt University in Nashville. He is the proud father of Dallas and Amanda. Bill and his wife, Bettina, live in northern California.George Barna is the author of more than 40 books about faith and culture, which have been translated into 12 languages. He is founder of The Barna Group, the nation's leading provide