Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Things Fall Apart by Hilary Neiman


Early one morning in 2011, Hilary Neiman was hard at work in the offices of her own successful adoption and surrogacy practice, when three agents of the FBI entered without warning, read her Miranda rights, and informed her, "this is your Come to Jesus day."  How does one go from being raised in a loving, ethical family and earning an advanced education, including in the law, to being accused in the headlines of joining a baby-selling, human trafficking ring?  Eventually, Hilar would plead guilty, but not to baby-selling.  She would forfeit her license to practice law, and spend five months in the Atwood Minimum Security Camp in Lexington, Kentucky.  "Things Fall Apart" is the story of a young woman with nothing but the promise of a fulfilled life ahead of her, whose childhood dream turned into a nightmare.


This a book I can definitely relate to, as my sister-in-law was also sent to prison (over 2 years at a women's prison in Thailand) for virtually the same crime.  My sister-in-law worked for a company named "Baby 101" (just do a simple Google search on that one and you'll see it was pretty bad.)  They were accused of running a "baby breeding farm" and sentenced for human trafficking.  It's kind of amazing how these lives are so similar.

I only wish I could have given this book to my sister-in-law during her time in prison (she has currently been released.)  This book certainly gives inspiration and hope, while at the same time providing a good dose of humor and human drama.

You can buy the book now on Amazon on either digital or paperback by clicking on this link.





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