By Heart. Judith Tannenbaum

      Advance Praise for By Heart

      “A boy with no one to listen becomes a man in prison for life. He reads for the first time, and discovers his mind can be free.

      A women poet enters prison to teach, becomes his first listener, and so begin twenty-five years of friendship between two gifted writers and poets.

      The result is By Heart, a mutually-written book that will anger you, give you hope and break your heart. In other words, their book will open your heart.”

      —Gloria Steinem, American feminist, journalist, and social activist

      “A portrait of prison and of the pursuit of art. An amazing combo, a compelling read . . . years later, acting in Godoton Broadway, I see how much the San Quentin production has meant to my view of the play.”

      —Bill Irwin, TONY winning actor, appeared in the Broadway

       revival of Waiting for Godot

      “This is a book about poetry, about struggle, about freedom and incarceration, and most of all about heart. It is a wonderful read.”

      —devorah major, San Francisco Poet Laureate 2002–2005

      “By Heart leads us on a poignant journey into that space in ourselves where we finally find our own voice. Bravo Judith and Spoon for a beautiful work of art.”

      —Piri Thomas, writer, poet, author of Down These Mean Streets

      “The collaboration between Judith Tannenbaum and Spoon Jackson continues the path to freedom through art. By Heart is so beautifully described, both objectively and emotionally.”

      —Barney Rosset, Publisher/Editor of Grove Press 1951–1985

      “By Heartworks on so many levels. We get to know both Judith and Spoon through that terrific ‘eye’ and ‘I’ revelation that memoir offers at its best.”

      —Rilla Askew, author of Fire in Beulahand other books

      “A remarkable memoir of two powerful personalities brought together through poetry and prison. Through Judith’s genuineness a poet awoke and found a way to live a fuller life in spite of confinement, and through Spoon’s honesty and talent many people will be compelled to contribute to society, even if society has abandoned them.”

      —Joseph Lea, Library Media Specialist, York Correctional

       Institution, Niantic, CT

      “This double memoir is imperative for artists who understand the need to reveal and share our common humanity. Spoon Jackson’s and Judith Tannenbaum’s journeys through childhood, love, loss, and back to poetry move and astound me.”

      —Rhodessa Jones, Founder/Artistic Director of The Medea Project:

       Theater for Incarcerated Women

      “In their remarkable memoir, Spoon Jackson and Judith Tannenbaum show us how words change lives, how poetry invites you to free your mind, even in a maximum security prison.

      —Ken Lamberton, author of Wilderness and Razor Wire: A Naturalist’s Observations from Prison and other books