Synopses & Reviews
"Verdi Woodward knows every sound of the three basic time warps of our eraheroin, prison and jazz. His book gets them down cold with prose flights springing from the throat of a saxophone." Charles Bowden, author,
Down by the River and
A Shadow in the City The harrowing life of a heroin junkie, and the life changes that accompanied addiction, are succinctly captured in this gripping memoir of Verdi "Woody" Woodward. A professional saxophonist in the 1950s and a fixture on the Los Angeles jazz scene, Woody lost his way, became a "hope to die" drug addict and armed robber on the run, and spent a decade of running from the law before being captured. During incarceration Woody found the strength to renounce not only drugs, but also the violence and brutality fostered by the prison system.
Review
"A uniquely eloquent memoir of a man who found redemption in the dreamy tones of a tenor sax." Los Angeles Times
Review
"A must read for both criminologists and anyone interest in the crime problemand that ought to include everyone." Lewis Yablonsky, PhD, Emeritus Professor of Criminology, California State UniversityNorthridge
Review
"This guy writes where he comes from....This book will stay with you for a long, long time." Eddie Little, author, screenwriter,
Another Day in ParadiseAbout the Author
Verdi Woodward is a fully recovered addict who counsels other recovering addicts, alcoholics, and prisoners. He lives in Los Angeles.