Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

    Only $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

    After Life: My Journey from Incarceration to Freedom
    After Life: My Journey from Incarceration to Freedom
    After Life: My Journey from Incarceration to Freedom
    Audiobook7 hours

    After Life: My Journey from Incarceration to Freedom

    Written by Alice Marie Johnson

    Narrated by Machelle Williams

    4.5/5

    ()

    Switch to ebook

    About this audiobook

    Foreword by Kim Kardashian West

    The true-life story of the woman whose life sentence for non-violent drug trafficking was commuted by President Donald Trump thanks to the efforts of Kim Kardashian West—an inspiring memoir of faith, hope, mercy, and gratitude.

    How do you hold on to hope after more than twenty years of imprisonment? For Alice Marie Johnson the answer lies with God.

    For years, Alice lived a normal life without a criminal record—she was a manager at FedEx, a wife, and a mother. But after an emotionally and financially tumultuous period in her life left her with few options, she turned to crime as a way to pay off her mounting debts. Convicted in 1996 for her nonviolent involvement in a Memphis cocaine trafficking organization, Alice received a life sentence under the mandatory sentencing laws of the time. Locked behind bars, Alice looked to God. Eventually becoming an ordained minister, she relied on her faith to sustain hope over more than two decades—until 2018, when the president commuted her sentence at the behest of Kim Kardashian West, who had taken up Alice’s cause.

    In this honest, faith-driven memoir, Alice explains how she held on to hope and gave it to others, from becoming a playwright to mentoring her fellow prisoners. She reveals how Christianity and her unshakeable belief in God helped her persevere and inspired her to share her faith in a video that would go viral—and come to the attention of celebrities who were moved to action.

    Today, Alice is an icon for the prison reform movement and a humble servant who embraces gratitude and God for her freedom. In this powerful book, she recalls all of the firsts she has experienced through her activism and provides an authentic portrait of the crisis that is mass incarceration. Linking social justice to spiritual faith, she makes a persuasive and poignant argument for justice that transcends tribal politics. Her story is a beacon in the darkness of despair, reminding us of the power of redemption and the importance of making second chances count.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherHarperAudio
    Release dateMay 21, 2019
    ISBN9780062936127
    Author

    Alice Marie Johnson

    Alice Marie Johnson was convicted for nonviolent drug trafficking in Memphis, Tennessee. After serving twenty-one years, her life sentence was commuted by President Donald Trump, with the help of Kim Kardashian West. An ordained minister, mother, and great-grandmother, she looks forward to sharing her inspirational story and the faith that helped her through it.

    Related to After Life

    Related audiobooks

    Personal Memoirs For You

    View More
    View More

    Related podcast episodes

    Related articles

    • Article

      Mourning a Stranger’s Suicide in Prison

      Aug 23, 2019

      It was an average Texas prison weekend when it happened. Chow had just finished, and the dorm was settling into its routine. The bolted-down metal tables in the dayroom were cluttered with bowls and commissary food as several women started cooking in

      6 min read

    • Article

      Hell Is A City in Texas

      Jun 14, 2021

      Hell Is A City in Texas
      10 min read

    • Article

      Siphons

      Feb 6, 2020

      Siphons
      6 min read

    • Article

      It Happened to Me…

      Apr 18, 2024

      It Happened to Me…
      9 min read

    • Article

      David Sedaris

      Sep 15, 2017

      Our house on Emerald Isle, The Sea Section, is divided down the middle, and has an E beside one front door and a W beside the other. The east side is ruled by Hugh, and the bedroom we share is on the top floor. It opens onto a deck that overlooks the

      12 min read

    • Article

      My girl’s LEGACY

      Mar 12, 2020

      My girl’s LEGACY
      3 min read

    • Article

      The Way She Was

      Nov 17, 2023

      The Way She Was
      15 min read

    • Article

      Freedom Rings

      Nov 25, 2019

      Freedom Rings
      6 min read

    • Article

      Her Hidden Pain

      Sep 9, 2021

      Her Hidden Pain
      4 min read

    • Article

      My Father The Murderer

      May 19, 2021

      My Father The Murderer
      9 min read

    • Article

      Letter to My Son

      Jul 4, 2015

      Letter to My Son
      30 min read

    • Article

      Blonde BOMBSHELLS

      Feb 15, 2024

      Blonde BOMBSHELLS
      7 min read

    • Article

      The Abortions I Have Known

      Mar 17, 2019

      The Abortions I Have Known
      10 min read

    • Article

      My Father The Murderer

      May 19, 2021

      My Father The Murderer
      9 min read

    • Article

      While I Wasted Time in Prison, My Mom Died of a Broken Heart

      May 22, 2020

      With my hands in cuffs and my chin to my chest, my parole officer asked me, “Do you want to call your mom?” “I can’t—this would kill her,” was all I could say as I sat in the back seat of my P.O.’s car. Life Inside Perspectives from thos

      4 min read

    • Article

      It Happened to Me…

      Jan 5, 2022

      I too have experienced ‘The voice of authority’ [FT410:75]. When I was younger, I had a romance that lasted about six months. At first it was terrific, then it wasn’t, then it ended. Nothing drastic. Several months later, I had a day off work. I had

      7 min read

    • Article

      Elle The Great

      Sep 21, 2022

      Elle The Great
      6 min read

    • Article

      Two Wrongful Convictions. One Happy Marriage.

      Dec 1, 2017

      This article was published in collaboration with Vice. In many ways, Peter Pringle and Sunny Jacobs were destined for each other. The two experienced a bizarrely similar injustice: Both were convicted of murdering police officers and sentenced to de

      7 min read

    • Article

      Deep Impact

      May 31, 2020

      Deep Impact
      9 min read

    Related categories

    Reviews for After Life

    4.5/5

    89 ratings18 reviews

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

    • 4/5
      WOW, I think I listened to a different book from the people on the comments section. This is a story about the author, she never casts any blame to any political party, she accepts her mistakes and exposes a really bad judicial system that in my personal opinion is everybody's fault. The people here blaming a specific person for this, is crazy, the author never does this and if you are writing a review about a book, you should state facts about the book, not your personal feelings in a connection to a topic that she never talks about in the book. A real change can only happen if ALL agree and make the change, which she actually highlights when President Trump passes the bill. I am no Trump supporter and I personally dislike him but I believe it was great that a celebrity got to him and showed him the injustice in this case, injustice because she served more than enough of a sentence for a crime she did commit. But in my personal opinion this book could have ended very different had she gone viral before and someone showed the case to any other US president. The book gives a great insight of what is wrong with the system and my personal advice is to read it, specially if you disagree with her political views because only then you will expand your criteria and maybe then we can all see the real problem that is making life miserable for a lot of people around the US jails.

      4 people found this helpful

    • 5/5
      The details of the story. I’m so happy for Alice. What an amazing person.

      2 people found this helpful

    • 5/5
      Anyone who reads this book and does not come away with the feeling that the Clintons have been taking the US for a ride, for a very long time, should pour another cup of coffee and read the book again. As has already been said, it is well-researched and the "coincidences" are beyond extraordinary. It should also be noted that the Clinton Foundation has been able to amass a bank balance never before experienced by a legitimate charity, in such a short time, without a major disaster or other such occurrence for which major funding would have been needed. This book should be required reading for every voter, before the upcoming election.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 3/5
      Near the end of Bill Clinton's second term, he established a non-profit agency for worldwide charitable purposes. However, the Clintons are skilled in blurring the boundaries between charitable, political, and charity. Peter Schweizer provides a detailed referenced book describing contiguous series of events involving requests to Hillary Clinton as U.S. Senator and Secretary of State, monies paid to Bill for speeches, and donations to the Clinton Foundation. Although the author doesn't indicate that political corruption is difficult to prove, he does state that much of the Clintons' relationship with the Clinton Foundation could be considered unethical. With the Clinton Foundation so much in the news, this book does provide the inquiring mind with a good overview of activities of the Clinton Foundation in the 21st century.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      This book is my new favourite. A message of what it means to truly hold fast and trust in the faith of God. A modern day bible story. Thank you, Alice, for sharing your story so that you may give hope to others, no matter their circumstances. I am so glad you were restored and received your freedom ?

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      Excellent book I loved it gripping to the end
      A plus

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      Perfect. God will work everything for the good of us

      1 person found this helpful

    • 3/5
      This gave me amazing insight into the life of a female prisoner serving a life sentence in the US. It was devastating to learn of the circumstances that led to her imprisonment and the injustice that takes place in the US justice system. Understandably, I feel like Alice Marie Johnson has very rose-tinted views on Donald Trump and his stances on prison reform and does not really reflect other people's realities of life under a Trump presidency. Faith and religion also played a large part in Johnson's narrative and as an atheist, this aspect of the story was not something I was interested in.

      Overall, this was a fascinating look at one woman's life through the US justice system and how reforms are needed in order to give people adequate sentences. Being imprisoned for over 20 years serving a life sentence for a non-violent, first-time drug charge is unimaginable. Alice Marie Johnson's story reminds us that small things can change your path in life and that there is a lot of work to be done.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      Deeply moving, a powerful story about second chances, the Grace of God and the ability to persevere. Wonderful story that has left a lasting impression.

      1 person found this helpful

    • 5/5
      This really gave me insight to being granted a clemency ..prison life ..and strength through it all
    • 5/5
      What an inspirational story of grit, faith and just staying in your lane. Loved learning her story and hearing all she overcame! What a strong woman!
    • 5/5
      What a story and solid faith in God. Call me Inspired!
    • 5/5
      True to life success story of a brave woman of God.
    • 5/5
      This book was absolutely amazing! I couldn’t stop listening to it! Definitely a 5 star read!!
    • 5/5
      This was an unforgettable. Yes, true, story. I feel inspired to be a better person. Thank you Alice for sharing your story.
    • 5/5
      A beautiful example of what God will do in the life of a committed follower of Christ who walks by faith.
    • 4/5
      The Clintons are as crooked as the day is long. I thought the book was very informative. Who would ever pay Slick Willie a half million dollars for a speech, unless it was a bribe. The Clintons have lied to the public throughout their political careers. Who can forget, "I did not have sexual relations with that woman," Slick Will declared. Even though this book and other books point out their indiscretions and crimes, I have doubt that they will ever pay for their crimes. Some people are above the law. Two thumbs up for the book. Two thumbs down for the Clintons.

      2 people found this helpful

    • 4/5
      Breaking History-A White House Memoir, Jared Kushner. Author, Sean Pratt, NarratorI had both the print and audio of this book. I was very impressed with the information put forth, but thought Jared could use a bit of humility in his presentation. Still, he covered the time leading up to an through the Presidency of Donald Trump accurately, representing both sides of the aisle, often. Jared is more likely a liberal, as is Ivanka, at least in their daily lives. Still, as they both worked diligently to advance the policies they supported, President Trump encouraged their efforts, possibly showing that both sides of the aisle can be fairly represented when the desire to do so is present. However, what Jared showed a great deal of in his book, was the disinterest in, and active obstruction of, anything the Trump administration supported. Democrats denied the idea of Trump’s Presidency from the moment he earned the nomination and were not condemned for it, but actually they were actively supported even afterwards when they questioned and denied the election results. How different the Democrats feel today in the face of obvious chicanery in the last election which defeated him. In supporting the policies of Trump, Jared places himself front and center in most of the controversies Trump faced, riding in and solving the problems after everyone else messed up. If this is indeed true, he was a valuable asset to Trump and the country. In his effort to highlight his achievements, he does highlight Trump’s achievements very well, and proves what a good President he really was for the country, in spite of his rhetoric, which was often not politically correct and was insulting. Still, he has been targeted relentlessly and unfairly, so some slack has to be given when considering his over the top responses. After reading the book, and after realizing how much of the accomplishments have been rolled back to the detriment of America, one has to question the aim of the current administration. Is it to help America and American citizens, or is it merely to seek revenge? Jared Kushner earned the respect and admiration of many of the people he worked with, on both sides of the aisle and of many foreign leaders and diplomats. Just thinking back about the Middle East including the Abraham Accords, immigration reform, Mexican policy, China negotiations, payroll guarantees, North Korean diplomacy, energy independence, criminal justice reform, the achievement of a vaccine and providing supplies needed during a previously unknown pandemic not prepared for by the Biden/Obama administration during their term, helping in the fight against the unfair charges leveled against Trump and his White House, the mockery of the impeachment charges and the Russian Dossier, shows some of the positive effects of his work. The presentation of the details of how he achieved the goals of the President are intensive and thorough. Hopefully, they are also accurate.Jared describes himself as the lynchpin in most of the consequential decisions made by the White House, and so far, no one has contradicted him. He accurately describes conditions in politics that continued to try Trump in “the court of public opinion”, unfairly. He was rarely covered positively although he achieved monumental unexpected goals. Kushner names the names of those who were deliberately thwarting Trump’s efforts though they were theoretically on the same side; he names Trump’s fiercest opponents and identifies their lies and their duplicitous methods. An honest appraisal of the book will acknowledge that Trump was a good President, he achieved a lot that was ignored at America’s own peril, and will recognize the atrocious level of obstruction and slander that is still being leveled at this man who believes he has worked his whole life to advance his country’s needs whenever he was asked. Although Jared does not really stress the fact that Trump was maligned, as he seems only to want to promote himself in this book, he still exposes the enemies in Trump’s own administration; he explains why there were so many hiring changes made, why so many remained who were enemies, and why the lack of political expertise hindered their efforts. He makes the reader aware of the heinous behavior of Trump’s enemies on both sides of the aisle.In short, his efforts and the description of the Trump Presidency is honest, even though it is often not positive, and Jared and Ivanka’s opposition to some of Trump’s policies are distinctly left-wing. One has to wonder, however, if Jared thinks anything would have been accomplished without him. Some of the people he exposes are tainted journalists like Chris Wallace and Steve Bannon of Breitbart who was self-serving and leaked relentlessly, Megan Kelly and all those who perhaps unknowingly competed with him, defeating his efforts, Corporate leaders like Tillerson, Generals like Mattis, and a host of others like politicians, Pelosi, Schiff, Clinton, Obama, Christie, and Biden, and ordinary people like Howard Kohr of Aipac who unfairly pushed back against Trump, Stephanie Grisholm who worked in the administration but was disappointed because she did not achieve her own personal goals and resented the help of others which she viewed as interference, and Lewandowski who tried but who was not able to achieve good public relations for the administration. In the face of the disgraceful, left-wing obstruction and fury about Hillary Clinton’s losing the election, I am not certain anyone could have achieved that goal.Perhaps the most positive moment in the book for me was when Jared described Trump as magnanimous, someone who could talk to everyone, and was not an elitist. That is a side of Trump not often promoted or even discussed. If only the press had covered Trump fairly, his accomplishments which were world changing, but were largely ignored, would have been even greater. Instead, after each achievement, charges of new conspiracies were mounted against him.Jared is more likely a liberal and a democrat, but he uses those left-wing talking points, subtly, and promotes them under the surface. The book illustrates the atmosphere Trump was faced with, even from his own family. It is really worth the read to understand how great Trump’s achievements were, how much opposition he faced and was still able to achieve so much, and how sad it is that the very things that earned America respect again, are being rolled back. We are watching our country descend into chaos with outrageous crime, rising prices, a failed border policy and a Democrat Party that is more divisive than any other ever has been, that cares little for achieving American greatness and more for petty vengeance as sore losers.