The Nine Lives of John Aslin

True Story of an Indigenous Man Imprisoned 36 Years and Counting for a Non-Violent Crime

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Pub Date 2 Jul 2020 | Archive Date 25 Sep 2020

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Description

A gut-wrenching story of discrimination, injustice, and the fight to free a man unfairly sentenced.

Born into poverty in a crime-ridden town and unaware of his Ojibwe heritage, John Eric Aslin’s earliest memories are of a harrowing childhood rife with abuse. This troubling upbringing led him to an adolescence full of crime, when at 21 he was sentenced to life in prison for an accidental death. 36 years later, he’s still behind bars, and almost a senior citizen. 

This heart-breaking account explores the life of John Aslin, painting a poignant and eye-opening picture of the struggles he faced during his upbringing, and the unfortunate hardships that led him to crime. Intertwining gritty, real-life facts with artful prose and a gripping narrative, The Nine Lives of John Aslin shares the story of Michigan’s longest-serving nonviolent offender, spanning multiple generations to provide a thought-provoking look at inter-generational trauma and the cycle of families trapped in poverty. 

This book stands as a testament to the bigotry and discrimination behind John Aslin’s sentencing, echoing the long-lasting unfair treatment of the Ojibwe Nation and its people. It seeks to touch the hearts of readers and raise awareness of little-known injustice. The Nine Lives of John Aslin is an enlightening read for anyone who wants to learn more about American history, the treatment of First Nation people, and the dark history of state persecution. 

Help uncover John Aslin’s story and join the fight for justice.

A gut-wrenching story of discrimination, injustice, and the fight to free a man unfairly sentenced.

Born into poverty in a crime-ridden town and unaware of his Ojibwe heritage, John Eric Aslin’s...


Advance Praise

A liltingly, beautifully written book which will pull at your heart-strings for an injustice and racially motivated decision made many years ago

A liltingly, beautifully written book which will pull at your heart-strings for an injustice and racially motivated decision made many years ago


Available Editions

ISBN 9798663230520
PRICE US$4.99 (USD)

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Average rating from 9 members


Featured Reviews

First thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC of the book in exchange for my honest review.

Unbelievable story about John Aslin. A tragic story that demands to be corrected. The author does a brilliant job of telling John's story and you will find yourself not wanting to put it down. You will also feel compelled to want to help and luckily the author provides for that.

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It is tragic to think that this pattern of unequal treatment of Indigenous people is common across so many countries and communities. I found this a fascinating book as it gives great clarity of this man’s experience and the framework of governance which allowed it to happen. It is also a reminder of the importance of prevention - education, support in early years and understanding of cultural and community dynamics.

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Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is such a heartbreaking story. So many things went wrong over two generations of people involved in this book. I learned a lot about the treatment of Native Americans and their cultural heritage. This is such a sad story but very important. John Aslin has done well trying to make a positive impact while behind bars.

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A true story that reads like a novel The author Jill Creech Bauer shows her thorough research as to why John Aslin should be freed. He accidentally caused the death during a burglary. The victim died as a result of a heart attack that the authorities indicated was brought on by the burglary. This man has more than served his time. It is sad that a book about this case is needed to bring to light Mr. Aslin's plight.

I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley for my voluntary, honest review.

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this was a really well done true crime book, it kept the respect that the topic. I thought the author was able to create a great read and you could tell he did the research.

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I received a free electronic ARC of this work, noted as a Non-Fiction-Fiction novel on September 21, 2020, from Netgalley, Jill Creech Bauer, and publisher BooksGoSocial. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me. I have read this novel of my own volition, and this review reflects my honest opinion of The Nine Lives of John Astin. We dart back and forth between the 1930s and the present day. Jill Creech Bauer is a lawyer in Flint, Michigan, which is the homeland of the Ojibwe Indian Tribe and the center of their heritage. And this true-crime tale is one not to be forgotten, representative of the problems and histories of all our native tribes. This sort of discrimination should be eliminated across the board. And with more information like this, shared among the compliant hordes of WASP Americans, perhaps it can be. Native lives matter, as well.

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This was a very good read and I believe the only work of Jill Creech Bauer although I would happily read much more from this talented author. John Aslin, an indigenous man was sentence to life imprisonment, without the possibility of parole, because of his involvement in the accidental death of another man. He had a tough start in life, born into poverty, experienced hardship and mistreatment before leading himself towards a life of crime. At the age of 21 he caused this accidental death and was sentenced to a life behind bars. He spent whole adult life behind bars. He had no one to fight his corner as a child, resulting in his downward spiral towards crime, and subsequently his incarceration. Never, from his youth, to his arrest, to his trial or his time behind bars, has he received justice. He is still there today, a victim of racial inequalities and injustices, because of his lack of money, education and societal supports. When will these injustices end? This is a very good read, well written and well researched. I highly recommend it.

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Great book to get yourself lost in. This book has everything. A real fast paced read. Will get your heart racing on more than one occasion. Very well written. Highly recommend this book it really tugs at the heart strings to. Makes you want to get out there and advocate for John

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