All Souls: A Family Story from Southie

I can't say enough about this book,it is a must read for every single American citizen that has ever been foolish enough to believe that our so called government does not promote and encourage acts of violence against the most vulnerable communities in this country.

I bought this book for my son who thought it was a great read.

My name is James Mallan im 26 years old and grew up in Old Colony (East 8th). I moved out of Southie in 1996 when the epidemic of suicides hit my neighborhood. After losing countless friends to death and drugs I went to live with my godfather in Maine. It was tuff leaving Old Colony but I now know it saved my life. I now live in Chicago. I couldn't let the opportunity pass me by. I was in college at Umass when a friend was assigned ALL SOULS. Even though it wasn't my class I read the book in 2 days. It was the only book I read in college. Growning up with an addicted mother in Old Colony I felt as if you dipped your pen into my soul and wrote down my life story. I had an older brother that I never met who was violently taken. The way that you described your relationships with Kevin and Frank allowed me to process my own pain about my brother. After reading your book I was able to confront some of the issues of my childhood and bring to light some family secrets that needed to be adressed. I feel that I am a more complete person after reading your book and applying it to my own life and for that I can not express the graditude.
Also I really conected with Frank, in your family. I was the oldest living member of my household and had to take on responsibility that I didn't understand at the time. In some similar ways that Frank was expressed. I found an outlet for the unresolved pain and anger of those situations. In 2001 I started boxing as an amature. The chapters about Frank's boxing career spoke to me, I dedicated myself in his honor and . I always say a prayer to Frank before getting into the ring that Im able to fight with his heart and strength. If this is at all disrespectfull to your brothers memory I do appoligize, I fell that my heart is in the right place honoring your brother. In 6 years of fighting amatures I have a record of 27-6 and look towards making boxing my career. I really don't think that I would be boxing at all if I didn't read your book. And Im sure my life wouldn't be were it is today without All Souls. Thank you for the courage.
JAMES MALLAN

This is a coming of age book, wrapped in a tragedy, yet full of hope.
Not the sugary-sweet hope that you find in a Harlequin Romance, but the sense that the author will survive all that he's endured.
It's a powerful boom about family, about community pride, about he way it feels when you discover your so-called protector is actually killing you, slowly and otherwise.
Read this, then read the follow-up, Easter Rising.

If you want to be completely moved with compassion, then you must read this book. You are instantly swept up into the center of a young man's world and you are taken on journey that you would never want to walk on your own. The heartache is intense, but yet you find yourself caring so deeply for this family that you can't stop reading. Its their story, but don't be surprised if you find your own story woven between the pages of theirs. I loved this book!