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| Author: Greg Mathis
Publisher: One World/Ballantine
Category: Book
List Price: $24.95
Buy New: $16.47
You Save: $8.48 (34%)
New (2) Used (9) Collectible (1) from $10.99
Avg. Customer Rating:  11 reviews
Sales Rank: 198295
Media: Hardcover
Edition: 1
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 208
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.1
Dimensions (in): 9.5 x 6.4 x 0.9
ISBN: 0345446429
Dewey Decimal Number: 347.7314092
EAN: 9780345446428
ASIN: 0345446429
Publication Date: October 1, 2002
Availability: In stock soon. Order now to get in line. First come, first served.
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| Customer Reviews:
 Miracles Do Happen In The Innercity April 11, 2003
7 out of 8 found this review helpful
I was originally drawn to this book about Greg Mathis because while in an airport traveling from Chicago back to LA, I happened to catch his tv show. I was impressed by his style in the courtroom so when I heard that he had written a book about his story, I thought let me pick it up. I had no idea about his background so at first I was physically afraid of this young Greg Mathis in which his book went on to described. I continued to read because I kept thinking when is the miracle going to happen. I was not sure that he would ever become anything more than what he was at the time, a thug and a criminal. Finally, more than half way through the book, the miracle happened and I found myself rooting for the young man, Greg Mathis. In short, his story touched my heart in a different way. Although I'm an african american women and grew up in Chicago during the 1960s and 1970s. The life that Judge Mathis described in his book was foreign to me. But I was so impressed with his determination, preseverance, hard work and his ability to never give up. While I don't have a lot of street smarts I found myself thinking perhaps I had been more judgmental in my past about the young boys who grew up in the project because I totally saw the change in Judge Mathis in this book. I'm glad that I read it and have been sharing with others that it is definitely a must read for all ages. The bottom line is anybody can be anything they want to be if they work at it and become discipline. Kudos to Judge Mathis and other african american males who have decided to allow the miracle to happen in their lives.
You can succeed despite the odds March 18, 2003
7 out of 8 found this review helpful
The person who we see on television, and recognize as a no nonsense type of character, Judge Greg Mathis has lead an interesting life. If you watch his program, her very often alludes to his childhood but to get a deeper understanding, you have to read Inner City Miracle. Sure heys brash, but heys real. The youngest of 4 children, Greg was an oxymoron- a contradiction between what his mother wanted him to be and what he wanted to be. A student who excelled in class work, but arguably was the meanest bully in school. Teachers struggled with himy great grades but a horrible attitude. His idols were gangsters, pimps, drug dealers- the malcontents of society who always had money and loved to flash it. Growing up poor, naturally the lure of money was enticing. His older brothers werenyt role models for they too aspired to greatness with little regard to the law. Greg and his siblings were lucky that they didnyt meet their maker at a young age. His mother was the family backbone. She ruled with tough love, often kicking out her older sons until they could prove they were worthy of returning to the fold. Back to contradictions, he always strived to please her. His good grades, his weekly attendance in church services, his participation in church activities, his innate need to care for his mother made his other side so unbelievable. Mother wanted all of her children to succeed but there came a point when she even had to call the police on Greg. This was the turning point in a troubled young manys life.As Judge Mathis has publicly said on many occasions, the system that sentences so many youth to prison is the same system that helped him become the person that he is today. Defining change came when he was incarcerated and had visiting time with his mother. She told him that she was dying and that he needed to do something else with his life. He began from that point forward, a lifestyle that would make his mother proud. The judge sentenced him to get a GED and get a job or he would be back in jail. He did just that. He didnyt stop there, he went on to college, he worked in city government, he managed election campaigns for Jesse Jackson, he married, he went to law school, and sued for the right to practice law in spite of his criminal background. His mother saw none of this but he believes that sheys with him and still motivating him today. Inner City Miracle is an inspirational story, one that should be read by all of the seemingly hopeless youths of today. This should be required reading for those in juvenile detention. There is hope, in spite of present circumstances if you feel motivated. Judge Greg Mathis, and countless others, are proof. Out of ashes can rise a phoenix. Just because things look a certain way doesnyt automatically define the future.
Overcoming the odds January 24, 2003
20 out of 20 found this review helpful
Inner City Miracle is the story of Judge Gregory Mathis , his quest to become the man his mother knew he could be and rise above his upbringing in the mean streets of Detroit. Since he and his brothers were raised by a single mother who worked two jobs to support her family, the brothers had a lot of unsupervised free time. Free time and growing up in the projects don't mix and Greg as he liked to be called, often found himself in some kind of trouble. He felt that his thuggish lifestyle provided him with excitement and friends and it appeared that he would grow up as a product of the streets. Things changed dramatically when his mother became terminally ill. It is at that point Greg decides that for the sake of his mother that he will turn his life around. Greg Mathis and Blair S. Walker have written a raw, gritty and inspirational memoir that will encourage and empower those who read it. Though the odds were against, Greg persevered and he is now a well respected judge and a popular television personality. Judge Mathis does not sugarcoat his story at all and I feel that will allow readers to appreciate this book even more.
 Inspiration to All December 30, 2002
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
Greg Mathis' life story is amazing! "Inner City Miracle" explains the reason I'm such a big fan of Judge Mathis' court TV show. This book is told by Mathis from the heart - no effort is made to sugar coat the bad decisions he made throughout his youth. In addition, Mathis frankly discusses his political views, his relationship with his wife, what he didn't like about the justice system that lead him to being a Detroit judge, and so much more.
Good December 27, 2002
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I won't lie. At first, I put off by Judge Mathis' book. The cussing and put downs about the Seventh day Adventist church of which I belong,(though deep down, I know of which he talked) I could understand and move on from there. One thing I learned from this book is that one can pay for their past dearly, and in the Judge's case, he had to more than once especially when he tried to get his law license and what not. I feel the book is an inspiration to young folk anywhere. See, this man was headed to jail or death the rate he was going. But thanks to a mother who loved him and probably wore out the floor praying for him, was able to rise above his circumstances. A great book by a great American.
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