Getting Life

An Innocent Man’s 25-Year Journey from Prison to Peace

By: Michael Morton

Narrated by: Roger Wayne

On August 13, 1986, just one day after his 32nd birthday, Michael Morton went to work at his usual time. By the end of the day, his wife Christine had been savagely bludgeoned to death in the couple's bed - and the Williamson County Sherriff's office in Texas wasted no time in pinning her murder on Michael, despite an absolute lack of physical evidence. Michael was swiftly sentenced to life in prison for a crime he had not committed. Drawing on 25 years of recollections, court transcripts, and more than 1000 pages of personal journals he wrote in prison, Michael recounts the hidden police reports about an unidentified van parked near his house that were never pursued; the treasure trove of evidence, including a bandana with the killer's DNA on it, that was never introduced in court; the call from a neighboring county reporting the attempted use of his wife's credit card that was given to local police; and, ultimately, how Michael battled his way through the darkness to become a free man once again.

©2014 Michael Morton (P)2014 Tantor

Critic reviews

"In this absorbing first-person narrative, first-time author Morton shows readers how it is possible in our justice system to be convicted of a crime without substantial evidence." ( Library Journal)

Innocent

Praise God!
Amazing book
The grace that one goes through hardship is a testament of upbringing and trust in God.
Peace to you and your family

Triumph and heartbreak

Wow! What an emotional story. It's inspiring that Mike is not bitter and that he is getting on with his life after losing 25 years to prison for a brutal crime he clearly didn't commit.

Michael I am truly sorry OF THE injustice YOU and your family, Mostly of course YOUR baby boy!

This is the only review I think I have noted after several 100PLUS true books I've read. This hit me hard with a lot of pain and shocking. Enough tears!!! I am very aware of how the law works bad and good as I have been in this line of work for some time. My only downfall was and is I WON'T GO ALONG WITH THE CROOKED COLD AND one's whom are no better then the law breakers we book in. I sure hope your lifestyle has found some type of Normalcy after all of the wrong and yrs of that torture! The. Police who where to help let you down AND destroyed what you needed most, someone to trust, to do their job and help you! I hope my comments find you and all that loved Chris well! I'm so very sorry the law was more interested in making themselves and their department look better instead of taking care of you and your son! Lazy , without any care nor empathy for anything except the paychecks they receive !

Wrapped Me Around His Finger.

Who’da thunk he would be such a gifted writer? This is a master class!

Long ago, Roger Ebert described the film *Amadeus* as "constructed in wonderfully well-written and acted scenes -- scenes so carefully constructed, unfolding with such delight, that they play as perfect compositions of words." This book, *Getting Life*, is like that. With crystal clarity Morton describes situations and feelings. He doesn't milk the the emotional aspect to this shocking story’s arc. Rather, he simply describes, and lets us decide what to think; whom to love and hate. I cried happy tears as I savored his rescue. I still celebrate those who rescued him. And my loathing of the bad guy(s) still seethes.

Are you looking for insight into what prison life is like? Here ya go.

Are you looking for story that ... oh, I can't say that without spoiling. But it's excellent.

The narration is as if Morton himself is sitting with us, telling us. It is perfection – like the rest of this audiobook.

Roller coaster of emotions

This book leaves me speechless. His account and story is written perfectly. I can't begin to understand what that must have been like and how he remained able to fight on. A true example of grit and ultimately God's glory!

Great Read

Loved it very sad story with a happy ending . My heart goes out to him and his family.

Great read

Great book that details Michael’s experience’s & perspective perfectly.
Very impactful on how our justice system can and does fail us.

Powerful

I loved this book. A true story that needed to be told. Thank you Michael for telling us your story. Everyone should read this book. His vivid descriptions help you feel as though you are right there!!

Important read - resilience in the face of injustice

First of all, I think this was my favorite narrator of the many books I've listened to. I kept forgetting it wasn't Mr Morton reading it himself.
Having lived in Williamson County and knowing of the people and places he mentioned, I was particularly engrossed in this story.
It's hard to believe that justice took so long. It was disheartening and infuriating to know the incompetence and the devious behavior of those who are to protect.
What a great testimony Michael has to so many. Only faith in God can change a heart that could be filled with vengeance and bitterness over being so wronged . I am grateful to all those who made any kind of contribution to his freedom and his sanity during his prison time .
A must read.

well written and impactful

if you work in the profession of law enforcement you need to take time and listen to this book.