 | | | Comments / Reviews | |  |
| 
"This book should be required reading for every inmate in every jail and prison. It would help solve the rate of recidivism. Take it from a guy who has been there..." - Art Winstanley (author of the book "Burglers in Blue")
"CHOOSE TO DO RIGHT by Andrew E. Matson is a "must read" for those incarcerated and treatment providers. Families and friends of those who suffer with addictions would also greatly benefit from reading Matson’s autobiographical work. The book would lend itself to group sessions, since the 11 chapters could be dealt with one by one." - Dianne Tramutola-Lawson (Chair of Colorado - CURE)
"This book ... really makes you think. The book is targeted towards criminals, but I found that nearly everything in it is applicable towards anyone. There are many self-help books out there, but I found that this is one of the only ones that addresses the root of the problems, not just the symptoms. This "manual to life" would make a great gift for anyone, regardless of of they have a criminal record. I would reccomend it to anyone." - Kaleb
"The author, Andrew Matson, is my hero! What a remarkable example he is of determination and perseverance. He has put the principles he talks about in "Choose to do Right" to the test by applying them to his life. It has worked so well for him that if you were to meet Andrew you would be in disbelief that he spent even one day in prison. He is now thriving in all areas of his life because he has and continues to follow the guidelines found in his book. I love this book and in reading it have learned so much about myself. Although I do not have a criminal background it has really made me think about the areas of my life which need improvement and compelled me to progress and become a better person. One of the key points made in his book is that we must have a positive self image in order to be successful in life… the most important person to be honest with is ourselves. Another thing discussed that is crucial in order to truly change is the motivation to replace any bad habits with good habits. He not only brings out these points along with many others, but teaches how to change these behaviors permanently. This book is geared towards a criminal audience but can be applied to help individuals who desire to change in other areas of their life too… such as alcohol or drug addictions, eating addictions, compulsive lying, etc. "Choose to do Right" is full of priceless counsel and wisdom. It is life changing and is a must read!" - Trish
"The concepts contained in this book explain the errors in thinking and behaviors that contribute to depression, self deception, addiction and criminal behavior. The author was a career criminal who decided he wanted to change his life and find happiness, spritual awareness and self esteem rather than spend his life sitting in a jail cell. He set out to change himself and documented his journey, including the reasoning, the thought processes and the specific behavioral changes that resulted in his mighty change of heart. He lays these action items out in a way that is easy to understand for others who want to change their lives. Mr Matson has written a guide book to responsible living and finding joy in relationships with God, family, friends and meaningful life's work - things that fill up the heart and give so much more of an emotional high than any of the drugs or criminal activities he sought in his prior life. Amazingly, he has been out of prison for 7 years, is happily married with two children, obtained a Bachelor's degree in Psychology, is a critical resource doing a job he loves in a small company and is active in prison reform. Where a desire to change exists, this book can do the same for you or your loved one. I have heard Mr Matson talk about his experiences and would like to see him on the lecture circuit in youth camps or halfway houses where he could influence many young lives for the good." - Zandi"The concepts contained in this book explain the errors in thinking and behaviors that contribute to depression, self deception, addiction and criminal behavior. The author was a career criminal who decided he wanted to change his life and find happiness, spritual awareness and self esteem rather than spend his life sitting in a jail cell. He set out to change himself and documented his journey, including the reasoning, the thought processes and the specific behavioral changes that resulted in his mighty change of heart. He lays these action items out in a way that is easy to understand for others who want to change their lives. Mr Matson has written a guide book to responsible living and finding joy in relationships with God, family, friends and meaningful life's work - things that fill up the heart and give so much more of an emotional high than any of the drugs or criminal activities he sought in his prior life. Amazingly, he has been out of prison for 7 years, is happily married with two children, obtained a Bachelor's degree in Psychology, is a critical resource doing a job he loves in a small company and is active in prison reform. Where a desire to change exists, this book can do the same for you or your loved one. I have heard Mr Matson talk about his experiences and would like to see him on the lecture circuit in youth camps or halfway houses where he could influence many young lives for the good." - Zandi
"The title definitely describes the underlying message and theme of the book. One of the main things that I learned by reading this story is that life is made up continual choices that can lead you one direction or another ... depending upon whether you are making good choices or bad choices. I learned that no matter how far down either path one is in their life, those choices can still make a difference (for good or for bad). This book is very inspirational in the way the author was able to recognize these things and then make the necessary changes to turn his life around. Although I am not in the situation that the author was in, the concepts I have learned will definitely play a part in my future decisions." - Barefoot CM
"What an inspiring book! This is a must read for anyone who has gone down the criminal path and wants to get out of the system and "get a life". It is also a must read for anyone wanting to help a criminal (or wannabe). Mr. Matson's journey through the system and his self-rehabilitation is extraordinary in itself. However, this is not a book just for reading. The author helps the criminal (and the non-criminal) understand what goes on in the head of the criminal. Through his own journey, his observation of other criminals and his discussions with others, he has isolated the errors in thinking that lead people down the criminal path. From those errors in thinking he helps the reader to correct their own behavior and thoughts so that they can live a responsible life. For anyone wanting to change, this is a great guide and resource. It helps the criminal understand where their thought process is skewed and how to work on bringing their thoughts and behavior in-line with responsible thinking. It gives them a path to take both in prison and as they start to leave the system. It also helps their families and friends understand them better and be able to counsel them. Congratulations to Mr. Matson for breaking the cycle and for creating a guideline so others can follow."
"This book is not just for Criminals - it is for everyone. The author covers all of the bases and brings up issues and ideas that are relevant to anyone who wants to live a more satisfying and productive life. For anyone who has ever had a problem with making the wrong choices and decisions in any aspect of their lives this book is a must read!!"
"I'm an attorney and formerly acted as counsel to a state senate judiciary committee. As part of my duties, I served on the state's Sentencing Commission . . . where we had the opportunity to hear a long list of experts share research data and personal experiences in the best way to reduce criminal recidivism. From all these meetings I learned that: (1) The prison system not only didn't improve the behavior of the prisoners, but typically made it significantly worse; and (2) there are a LOT of entrepreneurs [admittedly well-intended, but entrepreneurs nevertheless] who have developed various "programs" to change criminals' behavior. While producing results far better than the prisons, the numbers (representing "success") are still fairly discouraging. Why? I believe it's because they try to change individual behavior . . . in "mass" programs . . . from the outside in, using various incentive programs, etc."
"Which brings me to this book. The crux of Mr. Matson's book is, I believe, a fundamental truism about human behavior . . . and that truism shows why most programmatic approaches fail. Changing one's nature is HARD - even excruciating. It typically takes a long time . . . sometimes an entire lifetime. And it ALWAYS happens from the inside-out, by TAKING PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY for bad behavior . . . and going through the difficult, line-upon-line process of changing thought patterns . . . and, ultimately, behavior. I believe this book can be so useful to a habitual criminal because it chronicles, in great personal detail, a SUCCESSFUL JOURNEY from criminal to good man . . . which, from my time meeting and working with prisoners, I truly believe most of them desperately want to become. The book shows one path - a successful one - to overcoming destructive, yet incredibly difficult to break, habits. In other words, I think this book can give such a person real . . . and practical . . . hope. If you have fallen into such habits . . . or have a loved one who has . . . this book is worth a careful read." - Greg
"I purchased this book recently after I saw it here. I sent a short snip-it to my son in law who's at Maryville Treatment Center. He requested it and we have both read it. It gives great insight into something so many of us just can't/don't understand. Not REALLY understand unless you've been there. It is well worth the time to read it. Hopefully, it can shed some light on the thinking or lack of thinking that puts them where they are." - erqueenie
If you have read "Choose to do Right" and would like to write a review, please use the following form. Your feedback is greatly appreciated:
|
|
|
| | |
|
|
