The Great Gray Mother

Manalli wrote this book, "The Great Gray Mother: A Story of the Life in Prison and Out of it," which was published in 1975 by Iona press. If I'm remembering correct, the guy that owned Iona Press married Manalli's wife after the two divorced.

Anyways, I would love to read this book and see what it is about.


http://www.worldcat.org/title/great-gray-mother-a-story-of-the-life-in-prison-and-out-of-it/oclc/855807427

If anyone can get their hands on a copy please let me know!

I had always thought that this book was influenced by Manalli's experiences teaching inmates an San Queintin, but now I think maybe his grandmother inspired this book. She was sentenced to prison when she was pretty old and probably had gray hair at the time. If I'm not mistaken, he referred to her as his mother in a letter he had written. I will have to see if I can find that again and verify.

Next time I get up to Berkeley I will try to stop by Bancroft and ask about this book. I don't know when that will be but I will remember it next time I am there.