We humans are in such a strange position—we are still animals whose behavior reflects that of our ancestors, yet we are unique—unlike any other animal on earth. Our distinctiveness separates us and makes it easy to forget where we came from. Perhaps dogs help us remember the depth of our roots, reminding us—the animals at the other end of the leash—that we may be special, but we are not alone. No wonder we call them our best friends.

People think I'm educated because I talk and write well, but the fact is I never finished high school. I've read a lot, is all.

I had a naïve idea that if I could tell the story, people would be outraged and do something about conditions in the jails.

My published works are concrete evidence that I exist.

Prison experience puts distance between me and any person who hasn't been there, done that.

At eighty-one, health club-lusting is as close as I'll ever come to getting laid again.

I was addicted to amphetamines at the time I got busted, but I tend to think I was on a determined, self-destruct course that had little to do with the effect of Benzedrine.