Picking Cotton

Our Memoir of Injustice and Redemption

By: Jennifer Thompson-Cannino, Erin Torneo, Ronald Cotton

Narrated by: Richard Allen, Karen White

Length: 7 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's summary

Jennifer Thompson was raped at knifepoint by a man who broke into her apartment while she slept. She was able to escape and eventually identified Ronald Cotton as her attacker. Ronald insisted that she was mistaken - but Jennifer's positive identification was the compelling evidence that put him behind bars. After 11 years, Ronald was allowed to take a DNA test that proved his innocence. He was released after serving more than a decade in prison for a crime he never committed.

Two years later, Jennifer and Ronald met face to face - and forged an unlikely friendship that changed both of their lives. In their own words, Jennifer and Ronald unfold the harrowing details of their tragedy, and challenge our ideas of memory and judgment while demonstrating the profound nature of human grace and the healing power of forgiveness.

©2009 Jennifer Thompson-Cannino and Ronald Cotton (P)2009 Tantor

Critic reviews

"Injustice and redemption are overused words, but this heartfelt joint memoir justifies its subtitle." ( Kirkus)
"Touching" ( Library Journal)

Good story

It's a great story that explains both sides of a wrongful conviction and you end up falling in love with both of them!

Amazing Book

this book is amazing, it makes me want to get in the field of law because the justice system can make mistakes and sometimes it’s on purpose and sometimes it’s not but this book makes u see everything isn’t so black and white, you can think you got the bad guy and you didn’t. it just makes you think twice about everything

Great book with amazing insight.

I loved this book. it was soo hard to stop listening. I work law enforcement and this is always one of our biggest concerns. Thankfully things have changed drastically in the way lineups are done. There is so much psychology behind picking someone out of a lineup. We tend to rely more on physical evidence these days.

READ IT

this is a very important story, I recommend anyone and everyone to read it. 📚😀😊

An amazing story of forgiveness

I really enjoyed listening to this book. It is an amazing story of forgiveness. The narration takes a bit to get used.

Great!!!

This free trial with this book made me want to purchase the 9.99 a month!!! Totally worth it.....
WORTH IT!!!

-theStrugglingCollegeStudent

Heart breaking and inspiring

I could not stop listening once I started this amazing book.
The dual narrating enhanced the story.
The honesty in their words and voices was so compelling.
I recommend this book to anyone who needs a reminder that there are good people left in this world.

Heart Touching

I thoroughly enjoyed this. So sorry Jennifer had that experience and I understand how she could’ve picked the wrong man. I also hate that Ron experienced what he did but his resolve and heart of forgiveness is something we can all learn from. May God continue to bless them and others experiencing the same.

Ronald Cotton & Jennifer Thompson Cannino

Ronald & Jennifer are both Amazing people with one hell of a story to tell. Can't wait for the movie!

Listen for the story not the writing

The story was compelling and they did a good job of building anticipation even though you know the outcome - particularly in the beginning. The writing itself was ok. The female reader was a little too sing-songy but I liked the male reader. It did prompt me to research a little more about it on the internet. I gave it for stars because of the subject matter and how sad yet positive it ends up. I'd have only given it three based on the writing itself.