Former death row inmate Edward Lee Elmore has been released from prison, thanks in part to a book by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Raymond Bonner.

In the video embedded above, Random House editor Jonathan Segal explained how the nonfiction book helped set a prisoner free.

The Associated Press reported that Elmore had spent 30 years in prison. Bonner’s book was published last month. According to Segal’s account, the prosecutor read this book and after finishing it, he contacted Elmore’s defense team which helped turn the wheels in motion to set Elmore free.

Elmore was released after a hearing on March 2nd. Segal concluded: “We can be cynical about all the things that happen in the world that are unjust. Here is the case where a book made a huge difference. Books can make a difference.”