51 pages • 1 hour read
Albert WoodfoxSolitary
Nonfiction | Autobiography / Memoir | Adult | Published in 2019A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Solitary by Albert Woodfox is a memoir recounting his experiences of over four decades in solitary confinement at the Louisiana State Penitentiary, known as Angola. Woodfox details how systemic racism and poverty led him into crime and how racist institutions prolonged his imprisonment. Supported by the Black Panther Party's principles, he survived the brutality of prison life and used his incarceration to fight for social justice, ultimately becoming part of the Angola 3. The book includes sensitive topics such as systemic racism, abuse, and violence.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Albert Woodfox's Solitary receives acclaim for its powerful, heartfelt narrative and compelling portrayal of resilience under extreme adversity. Critics highlight its insightful exploration of systemic injustice and human spirit. Some note its intense, graphic details may be overwhelming, but overall, it is lauded as a significant, eye-opening memoir.
Who Should Read Solitary?
Readers who relish gripping memoirs and social justice themes will cherish Solitary by Albert Woodfox. Comparable to Michelle Alexander's The New Jim Crow and Bryan Stevenson's Just Mercy, it appeals to those intrigued by wrongful imprisonment, resilience, and human rights advocacy.