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Description
God of the Rodeo: The Quest for Redemption in Louisiana's Angola PrisonNever before had Daniel Bergner seen a spectacle as bizarre as the one he had come to watch that Sunday in October. Murderers, rapists, and armed robbers were competing in the annual rodeo at Angola, the grim maximum security penitentiary in Louisiana. The convicts, sentenced to life without parole, were thrown, trampled, and gored by bucking bulls and broncos before thousands of cheering spectators. But amid the brutality of this gladiatorial
Never before had Daniel Bergner seen a spectacle as bizarre as the one he had come to watch that Sunday in October. Murderers, rapists, and armed robbers were competing in the annual rodeo at Angola, the grim maximum-security penitentiary in Louisiana. The convicts, sentenced to life without parole, were thrown, trampled, and gored by bucking bulls and broncos before thousands of cheering spectators. But amid the brutality of this gladiatorial spectacle Bergner caught surprising glimpses of exaltation, hints of triumphant skill. The incongruity of seeing hope where one would expect only hopelessness, self-control in men who were there because they'd had none, sparked an urgent quest in him. Having gained unlimited and unmonitored access, Bergner spent an unflinching year inside the harsh world of Angola. He forged relationships with seven prisoners who left an indelible impression on him. There's Johnny Brooks, seemingly a latter-day Stepin Fetchit, who, while washing the warden's car, longs to be a cowboy and to marry a woman he meets on the rodeo grounds. Then there's Danny Fabre, locked up for viciously beating a woman to death, now struggling to bring his reading skills up to a sixth-grade level. And Terry Hawkins, haunted nightly by the ghost of his victim, a ghost he tries in vain to exorcise in a prison church that echoes with the cries of convicts talking in tongues. Looming front and center is Warden Burl Cain, the larger-than-life ruler of Angola who quotes both Jesus and Attila the Hun, declares himself a prophet, and declaims that redemption is possible for even the most depraved criminal. Cain welcomes Bergner in, and so begins a journey that takes the author deep into a forgotten world and forces him to question his most closely held beliefs. The climax of his story is as unexpected as it is wrenching. Rendered in luminous prose, God of the Rodeo is an exploration of the human spirit, yielding in the process a searing portrait of a place that will be impossible to forget and a group of men, guilty of unimaginable crimes, desperately seeking a moment of grace.Binding Type: Paperback
Publisher: Ballantine
Published: 10/05/1999
ISBN: 9780345435538
Pages: 304
Weight: 0.90lbs
Size: 8.42h x 5.60w x 0.80d
Review Citations: New York Times 11/21/1999 pg. 78
New York Times 12/05/1999 pg. 104
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4.4 ★★★★★
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Product Reviews
★★★★★ 5
Great Product that does exactly what it says it will.
Color: Beige, Size: 34"- 3 Panel
I really enjoy this product and it does exactly what it describes. I use it on my balcony. It is effective, but still very lightweight. It is easy to assemble as well. The price point is excellent. Also, I had an interaction with the company about an issue and they were incredibly responsive and helpful, fixing the issue immediately. Highly recommend.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 3, 2026
★★★★★ 5
Great WFH screen for video calls
Color: Black, Size: 22"- 4 Panel
I share a workspace with my hubs since we both work from home. I have the attention span of a 🐿️ and need this so I can focus on my work and not get distracted by him, since he is very amusing to watch. This screen is very lightweight and the panels can move and create a little cubicle around your workspace. I personally loved cubicles & despise open space seating, even at home. The ADHDer in my loves being able to block things away from my field of vision.
These panels also hide any mess behind you, especially if you forget to blur the background on Teams or Zoom calls or if you don’t have the option to change your backgrounds.
This was fairly easy to put together and very easy to move and adjust. The screen is a much better option than a sheet as I’ve seen others use on calls.🤦🏻♀️😂 I’m not sure how it will stand up around rambunctious pets or kids, but fairly certain it takes quite a push to knock it over. We have four cats & I’m pretty sure someone would try to climb this, which is why they’re not allowed in our workspace.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 10, 2025
★★★★★ 4
Difficult to assemble, but a good basic divider
Color: Beige, Size: 22"- 4 Panel
I bought this to use as a background for when I have video calls. I wish I'd ordered the 6- or even 8-panel to block a little more, but that's my own error. It still covers a good portion of the room, so I'll make do, or maybe buy another at a later date to expand it.
It looks ok, if a little plain. The fabric panels have creases in them from being folded and will need to be steamed or ironed out for a nicer look. It would be easy to make your own panels as well, if you're so inclined.
The construction is decent. The frame is lightweight and if you don't angle the base supports the right way it may tip over if you extend it too far. The fabric panels aren't the highest quality, but are sturdy enough. They seem like they would handle being thrown in the wash well.
The only issue I have with it is that it was so difficult to put together. The push latches that connect the poles don't push it well and hurt my hands. The fabric panels are sized to be extremely taut, which makes it very difficult to get them on the bars without forcing the bar to bend slightly.
Overall, this is a good divider if you're looking for something simple and functional without being too worried about aesthetic. It's also a good, inexpensive base if you want to make your own custom panels.
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Reviewed in the United States on August 5, 2025
★★★★★ 5
Great Room divider
Color: Beige, Size: 34"- 3 Panel
Works well in separating my kids play area from my computer/office room. Easy to put together, height is perfect somewhat sturdy, looks great, light weight, not good if you are using it as a door, but if it is to stay in place than it is stable enough.
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Reviewed in the United States on September 3, 2025
★★★★★ 5
Exactly what I needed
Color: Black, Size: 34"- 3 Panel, Color: Black, Size: 34"- 3 Panel
It was easy to put together even without a power drill. Completely opaque. Only a very small slit between poles. I plan to add black electrical tape, but that's because I don't want nosies peeking through to see my screen. The height is beautiful. I was afraid it wouldn't be as tall as I needed. But it is perfect.
I share a small office with a good buddy of mine. People passing by our door is distracting and invites them to speak to me. I needed something that would stop the former and prevent the latter, especially when I'm deep in concentration mode. The two panels are enough to block outsiders and the third panel I will employ when I can't even be disturbed by my officemate. It's the fastest and easiest signal not to disrupt me at all. 10/10
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Reviewed in the United States on August 3, 2025
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