A debut memoirist traces his journey from the ivory tower of academia to the confines of prison.

A medical school professor who ran a research lab, Clark was a distinguished member of a major Midwestern university. He was a preeminent immunologist—his résumé included a fellowship supported by the Leukemia Society of America, patents on two drugs, dozens of peer-reviewed papers, and chair positions on multiple faculty committees. Yet, as the book’s opening chapter reveals, his post-divorce romantic life was far from perfect. Writing in an honest, intimate style that lays bare his personal flaws, the author describes how he became consumed with exacting vengeance against a former lover—after creating multiple fake online profiles designed to break up her relationships with other men, Clark was eventually arrested for stalking. The arrest initially failed to generate interest among local journalists, but after two other professors from the same university were arrested for committing sex crimes against children, Clark was included in a trio that made national headlines when they were featured in the Wall Street Journal and on Fox News. While the author is critical of the way that media narratives can devastate individual lives, he never excuses his own actions. The arc of the book is one of redemption, in which the author describes how his actions decimated his professional career and reputation and how he eventually found solace in recovery and forgiveness. Faith plays a large role in the book—the text is replete with Bible verses throughout, and the author would eventually earn the nickname “Pastor” in prison, given his leadership of a Christian ministry. The memoir doubles as a poignant “exposé about the criminal justice system”; from “police shenanigans” during his arrest to the actions of unscrupulous corrections officers, Clark highlights systemic injustices even in a college town “known for its high quality of life, not for police misconduct.” The author also emphasizes the humanity of those incarcerated alongside him and includes their stories of mistreatment and personal liberation.

A thoughtful portrait of a scholar whose arrest became the catalyst for his journey toward redemption.