phillip james underwood

A powerful look at life both inside prison and outside, in the prisons we create for ourselves—is, above all, a story of enduring friendship, forgiveness, and hope. After three and a half decades inside a maximum-security prison, James "Cooler" Coolidge is taking the next step . . . on the outside. But Cooler wasn’t an inmate; he was a well-respected and well-liked prison guard—an opinion shared by coworkers and inmates alike. Ready for retirement, Cooler is ready to begin a new life—or recapture an old one, by moving to Los Angeles to reconnect with his three grown daughters. A gritty, genuine, and powerful look at life both inside prison and outside, Cooler Outside is also a family saga of love, hope, and laughter, and the story of enduring friendship and forgiveness. Underwood adroitly presents the twists and turns along Cooler’s path, creating a tale that is satisfying, entertaining, and wholly enjoyable.