BOOK REVIEW: Warden Woody Wood Peeker

(Originally published 2012, Paperback 221 pages)

Mr. Ford worked as a Maine game warden in Waldo County from 1970 through 1990. The county is known for being abundant with deer and poor people who know how to stretch a dollar as well as, apparently, break fish-and-games laws. Some do it out of necessity, others believe they're simply above the law and some sure do seem to be mentally a few quarts short of a peck. The short stories are written in a folksy manner where harsh profanity is avoided by using maledicta symbols. Mr. Ford's short adventures entail such topics as illegal trapping, smelt poachers, multiple night-hunter adventures, an episode where they are chasing after to two deadly escaped prisoners, flying with a hotdog pilot, raising numerous orphaned animals, drug traffickers and one tender, sad story about a fox.

The 35 short pieces are an enjoyable, quick read that shows the more rustic, less-glamorous-side of Maine and its unsophisticated citizens. Many of the people who inhabit the stories in this book come across as knowledgable about nature and getting by on meager means but are emotionally children in adult bodies. The good-natured collection is not written in chronological order. Also, if you have an average intelligence, you'll unlikely have to worry about hauling out the dictionary. It is, however, a nice book for a leisure read about a part of Maine's character that gets scant attention, but it isn't up to the level of James Herriot's "All Creatures Great And Small" writing. 

(Meyers - A few years ago, I started writing, under the pseudonym Franklin the Mouse, short reviews at Amazon's web site. This is my most recent review #338)

BOOK REVIEW: The Permutating Pooch

(Originally published 2011, Paperback edition 317 pages)

Ms. Orlean's investigation of Rin-Tin-Tin (1918-1932) is also part memoir and skirts the edges of gonzo journalism. The story of the original famous dog takes up about 110 pages of the paperback edition. The remainder of the 317-page book involves the people who where instrumental in continuing and profiting from the Rin-Tin-Tin legacy. The owner, Lee Duncan, had a single-minded dedication to promoting his dog that transcended mere economic gain. His story is also quite compelling and Ms. Orlean's exploration of the man's life left her with many questions as to what made the man tick? Speaking as a parent with high-functioning autism family members, my money is that Lee Duncan had Asperger's Syndrome. He fits the condition almost to a tee. Clearly, the author had no clue.

The book has a great deal of emotional depth and does a very good job explaining American's shifting attitudes about dogs from the late 1800s to 2010. The original Rin-Tin-Tin, Lee Duncan and a very colorful producer named Bertrand "Bert" Leonard were able to capitalize on the popularity of the burgeoning movie industry in the 1920s and also the growth of television in the 1950s. Fortunes are made and lost. You see how the entertainment industry spread the BS very thick when it came to Rin-Tin-Tin's backstory. It's difficult for me to believe there are any ethics in advertising and entertainment when marketing as well as big money are involved. Ms. Orlean does a commendable job wading through the lies in an effort to separate fact from fiction.

The author also highlights the use of dogs during WWI and WWII; the birth of the German Shepherd breed; the rivalry between Rin-Tin-Tin promoters and other famous movie dogs in the 1920s; a short overview of the Lassie sensation; and fans such as Daphne Hereford who were determined to continue the Rin-Tin-Tin legacy. This was a fun, interesting history/author memoir about a dog I'd only heard about in passing. There is plenty of solid history between the covers with some of it written in an introspective manner. It was a very enjoyable read. 

(Meyers - A few years ago, I started writing, under the pseudonym Franklin the Mouse, short reviews at Amazon's web site. This is my most recent review #337)

Taisa Ann Thomas

Blizzard Bet

Zac's expecting a package in the mail today. Our 14-year-old son grabbed the family's community-mailbox key and walked out into the snowstorm. It's about an eighth of a mile from our house.

After Zac left, I asked Monique, "Do you think he'll bring back the rest of our mail or just his package?"

Calls Of The Wild

Grin 'N Bear It

To avoid snacking, I brushed my teeth at 8PM. Now all I can think about is wishing I had dentures.

BOOK REVIEW: Back For More Self-Esteem Punishment

(Originally published 1931, Mass Market Paperback 249 pages)

Ms. Christie's 17th Hercule Poirot book is up to her standards when it comes to complex, tightly written murder mysteries. The short stories vary in length. The first mystery 'Dead Man's Mirror' is 93-pages long; the second work 'The Incredible Theft' 55 pages; 'Murder in the Mews' 67 pages; and lastly, the fourth story 'Triangle at Rhodes' is 29-pages long. As usual, the author throws many red herrings into the mix in an effort to trick the reader. I was able to figure out one of the culprits in the four stories. Clearly, Sherlock Holmes I am not.

The reader should keep in mind that these works were written in the 1930s and, while they do hold up very well as whodunits, the social mores were quite different from today's attitudes. Sexists and prejudicial statements are peppered throughout the book. Also, Ms. Christie was excellent at creating fun murder puzzles, but the dialogue is clunky as hell. A few years back I began reading the Hercule Poirot series in chronological order. Ms. Christie's mysteries are always a great break from more serious reading material despite her making me feel like an idiot. I guess I'm a glutton for self-esteem punishment because my intention is to intermittently treat myself to her other mysteries whenever I need a surefire piece of entertainment. The arrogant Hercule Poirot is simply too good to pass up. 

(Meyers - A few years ago, I started writing, under the pseudonym Franklin the Mouse, short reviews at Amazon's web site. This is my most recent review #336)