At the age of eight, the author began a three-year odyssey through a series of orphan asylums and foster homes, punctuated by episodes of living in the streets—a journey through a world of hostile strangers, abusive adults, and suspicious children.

At the age of eight, the author began a three-year odyssey through a series of orphan asylums and foster homes, punctuated by episodes of living in the streets—a journey through a world of hostile strangers, abusive adults, and suspicious children. Jennings Michael Burch?was the author of the bestselling autobiography They Cage the Animals at Night. He worked as a New York City policeman, a chauffeur, a theater manager, a magazine pressman, and a short-order cook. He held a B.A. in forensic psychology from John Jay College. He passed away in 2013.