Straight Outta East Oakland - Softcover

Harry Louis Williams, II earned a Master of Divinity degree from Palmer Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, PA. He is a staff minister at the the Allen Temple Baptist Church, East Oakland, CA. Williams also serves the poor, addicted, homeless, and formerly incarcerated as a social case manager in inner-city San Francisco. He has previously authored two books. Straight Outta East Oakland is his first novel.

A contemporary face and voice of the stark truth of drugs and street violence. Bravo, Brother Harry, for letting us in to that cutthroat world and showing us the possibility of hope and redemption. --Piri Thomas, author of the international best seller, Down These Mean Streets

As one who lived in Oakland in the revolutionary sixties, I have great respect for the work and thinking concentrated into Straight Outta East Oakland by Reverend Williams. We need more Samaritans to cast away the demonization and criminalization of our young and help them heal and live fruitful lives. --Tom Hayden, author of Street Wars and former California state senator

Shattering, riveting, explosive, captivating: Straight Outta East Oakland is a roller-coaster ride. Harry Louis Williams, II is a voice crying out in the wilderness of urban America; a prophet with a pen. the first time that I met him he was seeking to assist a freshly released ex-felon in his quest to find a safe place to live. The people in the hood recognize and respect his ministry. I believe that in the future, he will be internationally recognized as an author. I live and minister in East Oakland where it is not unusual to find a bullet proof vest or a .44 automatic pistol on your front lawn in the morning. This book is real. I couldn't put it down. --The Late Reverend Jossi Omega Jones, Alpha and Omega Foundation, East and West Oakland, CA

Shattering, riveting, explosive, captivating: Straight Outta East Oakland is a roller-coaster ride. Harry Louis Williams, II is a voice crying out in the wilderness of urban America; a prophet with a pen. the first time that I met him he was seeking to assist a freshly released ex-felon in his quest to find a safe place to live. The people in the hood recognize and respect his ministry. I believe that in the future, he will be internationally recognized as an author. I live and minister in East Oakland where it is not unusual to find a bullet proof vest or a .44 automatic pistol on your front lawn in the morning. This book is real. I couldn't put it down. --The Late Reverend Jossi Omega Jones, Alpha and Omega Foundation, East and West Oakland, CA

As one who lived in Oakland in the revolutionary sixties, I have great respect for the work and thinking concentrated into Straight Outta East Oakland by Reverend Williams. We need more Samaritans to cast away the demonization and criminalization of our young and help them heal and live fruitful lives. --Tom Hayden, author of Street Wars and former California state senator