The Darkest Hour emerged from a deep and dark despair in a place where the thought of suicide often holds more appeal than the thought of living. The hopeless ones live below the line but not Nanon Williams. Williams reached high beyond despair with outstretched hands and on tiptoes. He took a firm grip on the branch of hope and hoisted himself up above the line. While on Texas Death Row, Nanon was an inspirational voice. This work, now in its second edition, has expanded his inspirational influence beyond prison walls to men and women everywhere. His voice reaches others who measure their lives by an hourglass and do not see enough sand remaining to do anything of importance with their lives. We all learn from Nanon Williams that we can race against time and win.