A Prayer Before Dawn

A Nightmare in Thailand

By: Billy Moore

Narrated by: Rupert Farley

Length: 5 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's Summary

A Prayer Before Dawn is the true story of one man's fight to survive inside Klong Prem prison, the notorious Bangkok Hilton. Billy Moore traveled to Thailand to escape a life of drug addiction and alcoholism. He managed to overcome his inner demons for a time but relapsed after trying ya ba, a highly addictive form of methamphetamine. Moore's life quickly descended into chaos, drug dealing, and violence until he was eventually arrested and imprisoned in Klong Prem, a place where life has no value.

A Prayer Before Dawn is no ordinary prison memoir; it's the story of one man's struggle to survive in one of the world's toughest prisons. It's also a story of redemption in the most unlikely of places.

©2014 Billy Moore (P)2015 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Fascinating Tale

Really an incredible tale. I appreciated Billy's ability to look at himself and really understand his addiction and his choices. He did not offer any grand conclusion just his experiences and they were worth telling. It was hard to hear some of the human rights abuses but it is important for the world to consider. Are drug offenses worthy of taking away someone's freedom and dignity? Will it cure their addiction. I would suggest that there are better answers to these questions then prison.

narrator s voice is annoying.

I've read the book and seen the movie.
the narrator s voice is annoying.
movie is worth watching.

Very Good

Gut wrenching and eye opening. Never go to Thai prison! I hope Billy is doing well and drug free.

Entertaining… But

…. What a disappointment. One can only admire his perseverance… His ability to endure hellish circumstances, but he doesn’t come off as sympathetic. There doesn’t seem to be any great Epiphany from an experience that, once survives, might encourage some kind of personal enlightenment. Of course, in fairness, I read the Wikipedia on the author, and it seems to confirm this brutal lesson… this journey of self discovery… Might’ve been for naught.

Did it come out?

Interesting book. I never got a resolve to whether it came out of his butt or not? For all I know it’s been 15 years and it still stuck up there

An amazing story, quite different from the movie [Spoiler Free Review]

After watching the movie “A Prayer Before Dawn”, I knew that I wanted to learn more about Billy Moore’s life story. This book does differ quite a bit from the movie, though not in ways that discredit the film. While it is clear that the film does take a few creative liberties, it’s really more that the film focuses on a few key parts of his story while the book tells a much broader story.

Billy has made some mistakes in his life, as we all have. And he has certainly more than paid the price. He isn’t a man who makes excuses or tries to blame others. He just tells you his story without any sugar coating.

Life in a Thai prison is a living hell and not something you ever want to experience. But there are also countless heartwarming moments in Billy’s story; moments when two or more of the prisoners knew that they were in it together and looked out for each other.

I would whole-heartedly recommend the book, the audiobook, and the movie to anyone who feels that they can handle a brutal and powerful story.

Interesting insight into hell on earth

The story deals with addiction, mental illness, violence, prison life and a persons ability to exist survive and even grow and thrive through through these hardships.

The kind of book you'll forget and not care

An endless parade of tropes and hackneyed sayings. If you've lived in Thailand, you'll see the BS right away. If you're read a novel based in Thailand, you'll recognize many of the story lines, just done so by a poor writer. If you've read any book about prison or addiction or recovery, this is all just tired territory.

It's not even so bad as to be good. I won't remember this book past my morning eggs.

Wow

This story, this real life story is crazy, well written and Amazing. Fantastic book to listen to, Billy Moore does a good job of describing what's going on, and the smells and senses really shine through!

Solid prison book...

Not bad, not great. But Highly enjoyable. The writing was a little green. Narrator was solid.

Finish your stories and chaptors

Watched the movie before buying this
The movie did not even tell much of his story nor mention he was a scouser

Book was always cut off at the interesting parts. Chapters are way way too short. Hardly any story is finished all the way to the end.

I could probaly write a better book myself.

Also the man who was doing the audio from the book had the WORSE fake scouse accent ever which was none stop annoying

Doyle's review

Narrator done my head in.!!!
But thoroughly enjoyed this true life changing story.... Well done

excellent book very captivating and morish

great story which was narrated really well. really enjoyed this story. makes you realise just how well treat British prisoners are and how corrupt other prison systems really are. its definitely an eye opener.

Brilliant read

Thoroughly recommend. Kept me gripped with great story and narration. Genuinely sorry I read it so quickly but it kept me hooked👍🏼

Great story

Well worth a listen. A good insight to prison life in Thailand and the life that leads down this dark violent path.

Powerful story

Excellently narrated and we’ll worth listen. Gives you a great feel for prison life in Thailand.

Powerful and painfully raw

Welcome to hell on earth - A powerful history full of raw violence, pain, friendship, hope and healing.

My favourite audiobook

Learnt of this man via a podcast. This book is really well written and performed. Some bits missed off though that was on the podcast.

Harrowing

The inhumanity and appalling cruelty to the prisoners in Thailand and the state of the prisons is beyond belief and comprehension. They are indeed places of pure hell. I thought Amnesty would have more influence in these situations, but being Thailand, I'm sure they are a law onto themselves. It was an incredibly harrowing and moving story. I loved the narrator's accents. It made the story more realistic, and they were well done. I noted a man received 20 years for drugs and a murderer 15 years. Billy was convicted of theft but had rented the motorbike and received three ghastly years. God help those remaining prisoners. These places would bring anyone to the brink of total insanity. I wish Billy Moore every good wish for his future health, happiness, and peace for the rest of his life. He certainly has been to hell, but thankfully, back.

decent

Good story but why have they got a narrator with the worst fake scouse accent in the world. it's infuriating