JimmySantiagoBaca’sharrowing,brilliantmemoirofhislifebefore,during,andimmediatelyaftertheyearshespentinamaximum-securityprisongarneredtremendouscriticalacclaimandwentontowintheprestigious2001InternationalPrize.LongconsideredoneofthebestpoetsinAmericatoday,Bacawasilliterateattheageoftwenty-oneandfacingfivetotenyearsbehindbarsforsellingdrugs.APlacetoStandistheremarkabletaleofhowheemergedafterhisyearsinthepenitentiary--muchofitspentinisolation--withtheabilitytoreadandapassionforwritingpoetry.Avividportraitoflifeinsideamaximum-securityprisonandanaffirmationofoneman’sspiritinovercomingthemostbrutaladversity,APlacetoStandstandsasproofthereisalwayshopeineventhemostdesperatelives--(FortWorthMorningStar-Telegram).APlacetoStandisahellofabook,quiteliterally.Youwon’tsoonforgetit.--LuisUrrea,TheSanDiegoUnion-TribuneThisbookwillhaveapermanentplaceinAmericanletters.--JimHarrison
