A message from Robert Hayes:
Dear Alas friends –
After almost a year of incarceration, I have finished my book on why getting incarcerated is a Poor Life Strategy ™ and how to avoid making the mistakes I made. The book is for sale on Amazon, in e-book form; a printed version will be coming in the next few days.
I would really really really really really appreciate it if you (a) bought the book (it’s $2.99), and – at least as important – wrote a lovely glowing review of it on the site. (If you don’t think it deserves a glowing review, then please tell me why so I can fix it.)
Thank you in advance,
Robert
Purchased! I’ll post a review once I’ve read it.
Why should I take advice on this topic from someone who isn’t as good at it as I am?
Robert’s target-marketing to Catholics, who have been conditioned to take instruction about sex and marriage from priests. Why not?
But Daran has a point: For Robert, a book about staying out of prison is clearly a work of fiction. So maybe Robert’s angling for a Hugo?
(Admit it: He’s always reminded you of a sad puppy, right? Ok, a badly-medicated sad puppy. That hasn’t been house-broken. But still sad. And puppyish. Ok, more “ish” than “puppy” per se, but it’s still in there….)
I purchased it as well, and have read the first two chapters, the last two chapters, and several others. (I’m Canadian so I decided to skip most of middle, geographically-specific section for the time being.) I found the writing engaging, insightful, and easy to read, and was introduced to quite a few new ideas (and facts!). As well, I found the authors’ approach to be inclusive and non-judgmental. I feel the time and money I spent to read it were well worth it.
I am curious as to the co-author listed on Amazon (there is no “about the authors” page in the book), but what I read of the book was very cohesive in style and ‘voice’, so I can’t say I have any cause for collaboration-related complaint!
Did they send the right book?
@nobody.really
Are you asking because you’ve read it and disagree, or because you find it (earnestly or in jest) surprising given some of Robert’s comments over the years?
They did indeed send the right book, and while the style (including humour) of the passages I read was recognizably Robert-ian, I did honestly find his advice-giving approach within to be firm but compassionate, practical, and entirely free of pearl-clutching. With respect to inclusiveness, the chapter on Stoicism in particular struck me in its efforts to address the potential concerns of people of various faith backgrounds and practices, as well as those who are atheist and agnostic.
We all contain multitudes.
While I’m impressed with your dedication to the marketing plan, Robert, you didn’t actually have to go to prison to make the sale. I would have bought your book anyway.