West, Damon: The Change Agent

From the bestselling co-author of The Coffee Bean comes the true story of a well-raised kid, a three-year starting quarterback, a young person filled with potential…until a shocking addiction took hold.

Sentenced to sixty-five years in a Texas prison, Damon West once had it all. He came from a great family, in a home full of God, love, support, and opportunities to reach any goal. A natural born leader, an athlete with good looks and charm, he appeared to be the all-American kid pursuing his dreams.

Underneath this facade, however, was an addict in the early stages of disease. After suffering childhood sexual abuse by a babysitter at the age of nine, Damon began putting chemicals into his body to alter the way he felt.

Once he was introduced to methamphetamines, however, he became instantly hooked—and the lives of so many innocent people would forever be changed by the choices he made in order to feed his insatiable meth habit.

After a fateful discussion during his incarceration with a seasoned convict, Damon had a spiritual awakening. He learned that, like a coffee bean changing with the application of heat and pressure, he was capable of changing the environment around him. Armed with a program of recovery, a renewed faith, and a miraculous second chance at life, Damon emerged from over seven years of prison a changed man. His story of redemption continues to inspire audiences today."The more I read Damon's story, the angrier I became at this fool's trashing of opportunities I could have only dreamt of - athletic abilities, personality and intelligence. The further I read, the more impressed I became with God's power to transform him. Damon let grace strengthen him to face himself more courageously and honestly than most non-criminals do. He let God lead him out of prison and then back again as a lay evangelist. God opened doors to locker rooms so he can motivate young athletes with hope to overcome life's struggles. I love this man, his story and his book, and I hope everyone learns from him to confront all obstacles and opportunities."