Product Description

'In a world of one, I am alone, more alone than I have ever been in my life. Locked up in a box within a box where no one can enter and I cannot leave. I am to await my death.' In 1976, a twenty-eight-year-old mother of two and her partner were wrongfully sentenced to death by the Florida courts for the murder of two police officers. Sunny Jacobs would not taste freedom again for seventeen years, by which time her two children were estranged, her parents were dead and her beloved partner, Jesse Tafero, had been executed. Sunny spent five years on death row in solitary confinement. In a cell the width of her arm-span, her only lifeline was the stream of impassioned, life-affirming letters between herself and Jesse, offering love and strength, each echoing the other's conviction that the truth would soon be revealed. She refused to lose hope, even though the state had allowed falsified testimonies and an inconclusive polygraph test to condemn her and Jesse, disregarding hidden evidence and the true murderer's confession. Then in 1981, Sunny's sentence was reduced to life, and she revelled in the unimaginable freedom of eating in the company of other prisoners, teaching yoga and forging new relationships. Yet, Jesse remained on death row, and Sunny lived under the constant shadow of his impending execution, while grieving for her parents, killed in a plane crash, and for her loss of contact with her children. But Sunny miraculously maintained her strength of heart, and fought on to prove their innocence - until in 1992 she was finally released, seventeen years after her ordeal began. But it was two years too late for Jesse, who had died in a horrible botched execution that caused outrage the world over. Sunny Jacobs' life has been layered with tragedy and yet her story, while delving into her darkest days, is a shining example of a woman's triumph over despair. Sunny's resilience, her unshakeable joy, and her astounding ability to forgive are beautifully depicted in this stunning and uplifting memoir.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #240430 in Books
• Published on: 2007-05-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 416 pages

SUSAN SARANDON, Actress
'An extraordinary and inspirational story. Sunny Jacobs is a
remarkable woman'

SUNDAY EXPRESS
'A memoir that is both troubling and inspiring'

THE TIMES
'A vivid and honest account...remarkable'

Customer Reviews

fascinating read
Truly inspiring biography from Sunny Jacobs. Sunny was sentenced to a crime she did not commit along with her partner and was sentenced to death row. During her time on death row she managed to always maintain a positive attitude to her life, her partner and her family.

Although Sunny does eventually gain her freedom - whilst in jail she has to bear being apart from her beloved two children who are thankfully looked after by her parents. Further tragedy strikes in later years when both her parents are killed in a plane crash and still Sunny refuses to give into suicide and ensures her brother continues to care for her children until she gains her freedom.

The chapter dealing with the execution of her partner is truly horrific and makes heartbreaking reading. Many love letters from Sunny to/from her partner are documented in this biography and the book is beautifully written.

A very thought provoking read which I would recommend.

Incredible!
This book is so good I read it in one day finishing just before midnight.
It is gripping from the first chapter until the last.
It really is better than any fiction you will find, and the fact it is true makes it all the more incredible.
It really will both inspire and shock and will no doubt become a film as well.
If you are considering buying this book do not hesitate, you will NOT ask for your money back.
Incredible!

drawn out
I have just finished this book and at times i struggled with it. It was interesting but i wouldnt particually recommend it