Education of a Felon

Rating:
Summary: Straight Talk from the Underworld of Los Angeles
Review: A wonderful discovery: Edward Bunker! Here's a unique view of Los Angeles, and Hollywood, in the 40's and 50's. The scope of Bunker's life is impossible to imagine: the wealth, power and glamour of Hollywood contrasted by the realities of survival on the tough streets of LA. The utter horrors of the criminal justice system, for those without means, are documented here in unabashed personal detail. It's the rare person who has experienced such dramatic contrasts in life let along live to write it. Edward Bunker's amazing drive to devour books and to write while surviving long periods of brutal incarceration is in itself a unique example of intellectual survival. His portrait of Southern California in the 40's reminded me of the writings of John Fante (Black Sparrow Press). Being a native Californian with much "Hollywood Time" I was fascinated by his descriptions of familiar places and the invisible underworld that existed beyond the vision of most of us. His glimpses into the very heart of those at the panicle of power and fame, from the vantage point of a kid looking in from the outside only to be welcomed inside and nurtured in spite of his horrendous criminal life, are fascinating. I couldn't put this book down. It really is straight talk from the depths of hell. An experience you'll share and not soon forget thanks to the skill of Edward Bunker's honest writing style. The after word provides unqualified satisfaction. For a man who should be long dead and whose name and very existence passed unnoticed, his triumphant survival and achievements leave you with a powerful, and beautiful, image of what man can do given the will to overcome the impossible.

Rating:
Summary: A Must Read!
Review: Another one of those books you better not pick up--because you won't be able to put it down. Bunker pulls no punches. I don't say it's as great as No Beast So Fierce--but does it have to be? Go for it. Get it. One or the other: No Beast... or Education of a Felon. Eddie Bunker has come a long way and deserves all the praise heaped on him. Not only are you a fine writer, brother, but an artist as well.

Rating:
Summary: Good, but troubling
Review: Bunker's definitely a felon, a bad person who has hurt others
throughout his life. But he can write, and he opens a window to a ruthless underground jungle few of us ever see. I sure wouldn't want him as a friend (few have escaped that role unscathed) but the books are compelling. Somewhat reminiscent of Bukowski's self-justifying assault on convention: highly entertaining if taken in the right spirit.

Rating:
Summary: Literature & Larceny
Review: Edward Bunker's memoirs of his crimes and incarceration are fascinating and frustrating. Bunker always had a choice and he always opted for the self-destructive, violent world of the career criminal. I do not understand how some reviews can refer to his early years as "impoverished." His family was not poor and ever after his parent's divorce, his father sacrificed to send him to good private schools. Bunker was apparently one of those social anomolies whose lack of emotional restraint destined him to a life in which immediate gratification and the bravery of brutality were the primary values. He was bright, he informs of this over and over, and a voracious reader. But his intellect could not balance his inordinate anger. He doesn't delve into the deep roots of his rage,just a perfunctory mention of his parents's breakup. His morality is one of self justification and convenience. But he is as honest about himself as a man of limited insight can be and admits to be being a thug and a thief without apology. He is reckless and has a lust for life and adventure which captivates us with its sheer vitality. Bunker pays the price for his outlaw lifestyle, 18 years in the hellish world of California's toughest prisons. He survives incinerating passions and medival punishments through a combination of luck and tenacity. His literary talents are the only thing he has ever really committed to and worked at and, in the end, they reward him and us with the record of a strange and fascinating life.

Rating:
Summary: Intelligent
Review: I was impressed by Mr. Bunker's writing skill. Apparently he is the only living author who knows the difference between "trusty" and "trustee".

Some of the writing is self-serving, which is to be expected, but the story as a whole is interesting, intelligent, and informational. I personally resented Mr. Bunker's constant insistence that he was a criminal because the "system" had made him one. He was a criminal because he failed to control his impulses--unless it was in his interest to do so. Even if his upbringing did not include such lessons, his experiences should have taught him that certain actions have certain consequences and it would be a good idea not to keep repeating them.

This was my first in-depth look into a life of crime that I thought was believable. All in all, Mr. Bunker is to be commended for giving readers the opportunity to see inside jails, prisons, reformatories, etc. and the people who inhabit them.

Rating:
Summary: One of my heroes
Review: Like Edward Bunker I am a convicted armed robber and also like Mr Bunker I am a published author. He is an enormous inspiration to me.

Rating:
Summary: Prison [bad]
Review: Somebody's gotta tell the truth. Perhaps it's Mr. Bunker, or maybe this autobiography has foundations in the Dr. Hunter S. Thompson school of journalistic integrity. Either way, the writing is as sharp as a prison-hall razor and quickly cuts to the bone. It's gritty and it's good. I suppose too few literary people will ever be exposed to these topics in such depth and detail.

One thing's for sure: even though life hasn't dealt Mr. Bunker the ideal hand, he sure doesn't solicit any pity. He seems to accept his tough breaks and personal stupidity as consequence, whereas as a reader I envision the same results as punishment, deserved or otherwise.

I can't imagine ever reading another book like this. For one thing I wouldn't wish to. But, more importantly, it's unlikely anyone else would be capable of meeting the task so expertly.

Rating:
Summary: A Fascinating Memoir!!!
Review: This book was an excellent and interesting account of of Edward Bunker's life growing up in Los Angeles, and many different penal institutions. You can see many similarities between his real life, and his fictional work. Thge author points on many instances where prison was a different before race relations goverened friendship and loyalty behind the walls of prisons. My only criticism is thatthe author doesn't express remorse for the victim's of his crimes. He seems to express that being a thief is somehow more acceptable than violent criminals. However, the book was interesting, and hard to put down. It is a small window into a world I hope never to experience.

Rating:
Summary: Straight talk for Serious Reflection
Review: Wonderful discovery: Edward Bunker! His "Education of a Felon" was riviting, to say the least. Here's a fancinating glimse into the long gone days of Los Angeles, and especially "Hollywood." The poles-apart contrast of his early life couldn't be more extreme. There's plenty of material here for thoughful reflection about the current state of our Criminal Justice and prison system. His work reminds me of the works of John Fante. He paints a picture of the LA of decades past with the sharpness and impact of a switchblade. His truly incredible drive to write while being hammered through the California Justice system is not just admirable but amazing. I couldn't put it down. His is a rare perspective running between two completely opposite worlds: Hollywood with all its glamor, power and wealth, and life on the edge, on the tough streets of LA where very few survived. He makes it all real. Straight talk. He's out front, talking to you without covering the shame and desperation of his early years. In the afterword we get to share a tiny glimpse of his survival and triumph, as a writer, as a human being. This leaves you with a great deal of satisfaction.