The Book of Judith
Opening Hearts Through Poetry
Published on 13. September 2022
Book
Hardback
224 pages
978-1-61332-175-1 (ISBN)
Description
An homage to the life of poet, writer, and teaching artist Judith Tannenbaum and her impact on incarcerated and marginalized students.
The Book of Judith honors Judith Tannenbaum but also reflects, through both form and content, on the complexities of seeing both the parts and the whole. The book presents different aspects of Judith-poet, teaching artist, friend, mentor, colleague-through a collection of original poetry, prose, essay, illustration, and fiction from 33 contributors. In so doing, it echoes her own determination to perceive contradiction without judgment. For the next generation of teaching artists in Corrections and elsewhere, the book serves as an inspiration on the qualities needed to survive and thrive in a multi-faceted, ever-changing environment.
The book is divided into four sections, separated by riveting black and white pencil drawings inspired by the lives of those serving life in prison without possibility of parole. In Unfinished Conversations, contributors share their bond with Judith Tannenbaum through prose and excerpts from letters both real and imagined. In the second section, After December, poets reflect on the life, artistry, and legacy of Judith. The third section, Looking and Listening, focuses on the truth-seeking qualities that Judith brought to her work. The fourth section, Legacy, features work from winners of an award and a fellowship bestowed in her name.
The Book of Judith honors Judith Tannenbaum but also reflects, through both form and content, on the complexities of seeing both the parts and the whole. The book presents different aspects of Judith-poet, teaching artist, friend, mentor, colleague-through a collection of original poetry, prose, essay, illustration, and fiction from 33 contributors. In so doing, it echoes her own determination to perceive contradiction without judgment. For the next generation of teaching artists in Corrections and elsewhere, the book serves as an inspiration on the qualities needed to survive and thrive in a multi-faceted, ever-changing environment.
The book is divided into four sections, separated by riveting black and white pencil drawings inspired by the lives of those serving life in prison without possibility of parole. In Unfinished Conversations, contributors share their bond with Judith Tannenbaum through prose and excerpts from letters both real and imagined. In the second section, After December, poets reflect on the life, artistry, and legacy of Judith. The third section, Looking and Listening, focuses on the truth-seeking qualities that Judith brought to her work. The fourth section, Legacy, features work from winners of an award and a fellowship bestowed in her name.
Reviews / Votes
"The ecosystem left in Judith Tannenbaum's wake is a colorful network of creative minds, burning hearts, and artists who walk through walls, literally and metaphorically. Judith set the path for many of us working in prisons-her legacy is a gift, inspiration, and teacher." - Caits Meissner (writer and Director of Prison and Justice Writing, PEN America) "Closing love's circuits and facilitating its flow was truly Judith's thing. All too often, women who nurtureand bring forth the beauty in the world go unsung. Thank goddess, in this book, that is not the case."
- Ani DiFranco (singer, songwriter, founder of Righteous Babe Records and author of No Walls and The Recurring Dream) "The Book of Judith contains remembrances of someone who gave so much to so many. And it is more- a call to action, a call to community, and a call, in so many ways, to our soul-making. The people who
were touched by Judith Tannenbaum give testimony to what one person can do - with persistence,
patience, and passion. It is a diverse record with poetry, memoir, storytelling, and love letters. As Spoon
Jackson said, Judith waited and 'found wisdom in silence' and then 'she ignited our fire.' The giant of
California literature, Luis Rodriguez, was enlisted by Judith, in the work of prison arts and finally knew 'I
am in her revolution, a rhyme warrior, who also teaches the forgotten ...' This book is in many ways a
map to our own change as well as to transforming a brutal world."
- Laurie Brooks (Executive Director and Arts Administrator, William James Association) The Book of Judith is a series of prose and poetic remembrances of Judith Tannenbaum, a California-based poet who taught poetry to prisoners-to much acclaim-at San Quentin, just north of her Bay Area home. Importantly, Tannenbaum was also a national voice on the methods and values of her teaching, and a mentor, often from a distance, for many men and women who were also teaching at prisons across the country. The Book of Judith enticingly sketches aspects of her holistic ("larger picture") approach. (Journal of Community Justice)
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Trade binding
Illustrations
5 b/w illustrations
Dimensions
Height: 216 mm
Width: 140 mm
Weight
327 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-61332-175-1 (9781613321751)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Spoon Jackson (Editor)
Spoon Jackson is a poet serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole in California state prisons. It was through Judith Tannenbalum's poetry classes in San Quentin State Prison that Spoon discovered the power of words. In addition to his own extensive list of published work, Spoon co-authored a double memoir with Judith, By Heart: Poetry, Prison, and Two Lives.
Mark Foss (Editor)
Mark Foss is a Montreal-based author whose works include the novels Molly O and Spoilers, as well as essays and creative non-fiction. He became friends with Spoon Jackson following work on the production of Spoon, a film by Michka Saael completed in 2015. The film is a poetic and political dialogue between Spoon and Michka.
Sara Press (Editor)
Sara Press is Judith Tannenbaum's daughter, who grew up listening to her mother's raw stories about teaching poetry in San Quentin. Sara witnessed how her mother shared her convictions about teaching, writing, and social justice. Continuing her mother's love of the natural world, Sara is now a professional conservationist for a land trust in Sonoma County, California.
Spoon Jackson is a poet serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole in California state prisons. It was through Judith Tannenbalum's poetry classes in San Quentin State Prison that Spoon discovered the power of words. In addition to his own extensive list of published work, Spoon co-authored a double memoir with Judith, By Heart: Poetry, Prison, and Two Lives.
Mark Foss (Editor)
Mark Foss is a Montreal-based author whose works include the novels Molly O and Spoilers, as well as essays and creative non-fiction. He became friends with Spoon Jackson following work on the production of Spoon, a film by Michka Saael completed in 2015. The film is a poetic and political dialogue between Spoon and Michka.
Sara Press (Editor)
Sara Press is Judith Tannenbaum's daughter, who grew up listening to her mother's raw stories about teaching poetry in San Quentin. Sara witnessed how her mother shared her convictions about teaching, writing, and social justice. Continuing her mother's love of the natural world, Sara is now a professional conservationist for a land trust in Sonoma County, California.