Review of In DeLorean's Shadow

Post by **Lucy Vera** » 26 Apr 2022, 05:46

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "In DeLorean's Shadow" by Stephen Lee Arrington.]

4 out of 4 stars

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This book, In DeLorean’s Shadow: The Drug Trial of the Century by the Sole Surviving Defendant, written by Stephen Lee Arrington, is a non-fiction novel containing twenty-six chapters in four hundred and twenty-four pages. It is an autobiography that includes everything on the author to date, from his incarceration to his love life, his childhood and family, and his work, marriage, and achievements as a motivational and drug speaker.

The story begins with a conversation between Steve and Morgan, where Morgan admits to Steve that he was a smuggler who smuggled drugs from Colombia. He asks Steve to co-pilot his plane to Colombia, which he bluntly refuses but eventually is pressured into doing. He goes on the trip. He almost crashes before landing in Colombia to load the drugs and makes a return trip to Los Angeles the next day. Before he embarked on the journey, Morgan had promised to pay him fifty thousand dollars, but after his return, he stalls in making the payment. Steve is not comfortable with the whole smuggling business and wants out, but before he can achieve this, he is arrested.

There are lots of positive aspects to the book. The author uses his life as a guide to explain the acceptance of one’s shortcomings; this is displayed in the statement he makes during his arraignment in court and also when he admitted to the highway patrol officer, Hugh, that he smuggled drugs he shouldn't have. Steve also explains that for every wrongdoing one does, there's a repercussion by accepting his sentencing. Even though Morgan had pressured him into submission, he still felt he was not right and deserved to serve punishment for his offense because he could have walked away; instead, he stayed.

Also, I liked that the book highlighted a few things about religion, from the moment of his despair in cell (J-1), where he knelt and made his peace with God, and God seeing him through his travails and near-disastrous circumstances in prison. The author inserted Bible quotes a lot, and his Bible was his major companion in incarceration. The author’s strong belief in God is further affirmed when he does CPR for a seemingly drowned student in the School of Oceaneering where he taught; he had prayed to God before he started, and moments after, the boy woke from his coma. Even the doctors confirmed that his being alive was nothing short of a miracle. The author charges readers to accept Christ in the book's last chapter.

There is hardly any negative aspect to the book, except where one of the inmates, Loco, admits to Steve that he has Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and tells him not to tell any of the other inmates because he would lose his lovers; I felt the author could have notified the authorities in view that he had an infectious disease, which could be easily spread in the prison grounds. I tend to understand why he, however, tells the story of Loco’s addiction to heroin and how his best friend dies from an overdose of it. Notwithstanding this discrepancy, the book is a beautiful read; it's a tear-jerking story that is very inspiring. There are no errors; the book was exceptionally well edited.

Therefore, I give this book a 4 out of 4 rating because I loved it so much, and I learned a lot from the life of the author. I recommend this book to lovers of history, Christians, and divers. It is recommended to lovers of non-fiction and everyone that loves to broaden their minds and perspective on life.

Moderator's Note: Federal Prison guards keep accurate medical records on all inmates, and they knew of Loco's condition. It would not have been advisable for the author to share another person's private medical information with others, out of respect for his fellow inmate's privacy.

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In DeLorean's Shadow
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Patty Allread · Post by **Patty Allread** » 30 Apr 2022, 12:48

It would be interesting to understand Steve and how he viewed his life. I'm not sure I understand the significance of the title, though.

Christopherio · Post by **Christopherio** » 02 May 2022, 20:11

I don't really understand the book's structure,
storyline and the cover art but I guess it's not my book genre. Thanks for the simplified review.

Somtochukwu O Ezeme · Post by **Somtochukwu O Ezeme** » 31 Jan 2024, 05:48

I don’t really like the book. It does not resonates with me. I appreciate the review.

Leen282 · Post by **Leen282** » 31 Jan 2024, 05:52

I appreciate the moderator's note at the end of the review, it shines a new light on the situation and respect for privacy and private medical information is important. I tend to not read too many autobiographies, but it is surely interesting to read about drug smuggling and punishment from the viewpoint of the person who lived through it.

Post by **Rebecca De Figueiredo** » 31 Jan 2024, 06:14

This was one of the biggest court cases in the U.S. in the twentieth century, and people who are old enough will still remember it to this day. An intricate web of criminal and corporate felonies. From page one onwards this book promises a thrilling and fast-paced ride, especially as we know it’s mostly probably true! The book is well written and to the point.

Ruth Chege 2 · Post by **Ruth Chege 2** » 31 Jan 2024, 06:42

This is not my ideal type of book, so I'll pass. Nice review.

Hazel Arnaiz · Post by **Hazel Arnaiz** » 31 Jan 2024, 06:43

The memoir provides a glimpse inside the criminal underground as well as prison life. It is a story about transformation and redemption.

Sarah J. Maas · Post by **Sia_young** » 31 Jan 2024, 07:02

After reading the summary of the book, I'm not sure if this book is my kinda preference. I appreciate the moderator's note in the end. Privacy is important and should not be revealed without the owner's consent.
Good job on the review though.

Asma Aisha Ansari · Post by **Asma Aisha Ansari** » 31 Jan 2024, 07:08

"In DeLorean’s Shadow" delves deep into the moral complexities of one man's journey from coercion to acceptance. Steve's narrative, woven with religious undertones, reflects on redemption amidst adversity, and I can't wait to uncover his transformative path.

Sandeep Sahoo 1 · Post by **Sandeep Sahoo 1** » 31 Jan 2024, 07:12

After reading this review, I feel compelled to read this book. The author's gripping narrative, coupled with his introspective exploration of redemption and faith, promises to offer a captivating and enlightening reading experience.

Liesal Scholtz · Post by **Liesal Scholtz** » 31 Jan 2024, 07:20

It was quite insightful with regards to the way of life once your involved with the smuggling business. Most the time we as outsiders just believe that all of the members involved are rotten to the core. But it isn't always like that. Don't judge the book by it's cover.

Arugo442 · Post by **Arugo442** » 31 Jan 2024, 07:20

The book talks about drug business as seen by some people to earn a living ,it also talks about the consequences of not having strong will to reject offers that could lead you to prison even if you profited from them,,,it's a book to read any day

Kshitija Sonawane · Post by **Kshitija Sonawane** » 31 Jan 2024, 07:25

This book reveals some of the hidden and inside information about the drug fiasco in the USA and I'm so glad we get to read this information while we're alive because most of the big players have died. I'm sure this will help raise awareness in public about these people. Congratulations on BOTD, and best wishes for future projects.

Orji cyril Kaluokoro · Post by **Orji cyril Kaluokoro** » 31 Jan 2024, 07:28

In DeLorean's Shadow: The Drug Trial of the Century by the Sole Surviving Defendant is a non-fiction novel by Stephen Lee Arrington, containing 26 chapters and 424 pages. It is an autobiography that covers the author's life, including his incarceration, love life, childhood, family, work, marriage, and achievements as a motivational and drug speaker.

The story begins with a conversation between Steve and Morgan, who admits to being a smuggler who smuggled drugs from Colombia. Morgan asks Steve to co-pilot his plane to Colombia, which he refuses but eventually is pressured into doing so. The trip is nearly crashed before landing in Colombia to load the drugs and makes a return trip to Los Angeles the next day. Morgan had promised to pay Steve fifty thousand dollars before embarking on the journey, but after his return, he stalls in making the payment. Steve is not comfortable with the smuggling business and wants out, but before he can achieve this, he is arrested.

The book has positive aspects, such as the author using his life as a guide to explain the acceptance of one's shortcomings and the consequences of accepting sentencing. Steve also explains that for every wrongdoing one does, there's a repercussion by accepting his sentencing. The book also highlights the author's strong belief in God, as seen in his CPR for a seemingly drowned student in the School of Oceaneering where he taught. The author charges readers to accept Christ in the book's last chapter.

The book has no negative aspects, except for one inmate, Loco, who admits to having Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and tells him not to tell any of the other inmates because he would lose his lovers. The book is a beautiful, tear-jerking, and inspiring read, with no errors and exceptionally well-edited.