Average customer rating:
- 5th grade Teacher--I loved this book!!
- Best Dog, Period.
- I applaud the spirits of both dogs and the skill with which the authors have depicted them.
- A review from Deanne Apke, Most intriguing storyline
- Great book!
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Cracker!: The Best Dog in Vietnam
Cynthia Kadohata
Manufacturer: Atheneum
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ASIN: 1416906371 |
Book Description
CRACKER IS ONE OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY'S MOST VALUABLE WEAPONS:
a German shepherd trained to sniff out bombs, traps, and the enemy. The fate of entire platoons rests on her keen sense of smell. She's a Big Deal, and she likes it that way. Sometimes Cracker remembers when she was younger, and her previous owner would feed her hot dogs and let her sleep in his bed. That was nice, too.
Rick Hanski is headed to Vietnam. There, he's going to whip the world and prove to his family and his sergeant -- and everyone else who didn't think he was cut out for war -- wrong. But sometimes Rick can't help but wonder that maybe everyone else is right. Maybe he should have just stayed at home and worked in his dad's hardware store.
When Cracker is paired with Rick, she isn't so sure about this new owner. He's going to have to prove himself to her before she's going to prove herself to him. They need to be friends before they can be a team, and they have to be a team if they want to get home alive.
Told in part through the uncanny point of view of a German shepherd, Cracker! is an action-packed glimpse into the Vietnam War as seen through the eyes of a dog and her handler. It's an utterly unique powerhouse of a book by the Newbery Medal-winning author of Kira-Kira.
Customer Reviews:
5th grade Teacher--I loved this book!!.......2007-07-28
One of the best youth/YA books I have read this summer. Could not put it down even though I was floating down the Trinity river. Told from both the dog perspective and that of his handler/soldier. Kids 5th and up will enjoy it especially if they enjoy war books. This is also a great book on the Vietnam war experience.
Best Dog, Period........2007-06-02
Cracker is an extremely intelligent German Shepherd. Reluctantly given to the army by a boy who could no longer keep her, Cracker ends up at Fort Benning, Georgia awaiting a handler. Feeling betrayed, Cracker is
in no mood to transfer her loyalties, which are mighty, to young Rick Hanski to whom she is assigned.Both are being trained to serve together in Viet Nam where Cracker is supposed to sniff out all the dangerous traps of the enemy. As Rick begins to win Cracker's respect, dog and man become a talented team. Rick, who is eager to serve in Viet Nam, is taken aback to learn that Cracker will never return from Viet Nam, no matter how bravely she serves. "The military considers the dogs equipment, and equipment is expendable."
Told in alternating voices, one of whom is Cracker's and one of whom is Rick's, the author has an uncanny ability to make the reader think and feel like a dog. As both characters struggle with a dangerous, chaotic
environment, this well-researched story , which pulls no punches about the horrors of war, is a smashing page-turner. There can be no happy ending for the valiant Cracker -- according to the rules of the U.S. Army.
I applaud the spirits of both dogs and the skill with which the authors have depicted them........2007-06-01
War dogs used in Vietnam were unsung heroes. Faced with intense training combined with dreadful working conditions and constant danger, they had few rewards and were often left behind to survive on their own. This incredible book, although fictional, is based on real accounts provided through interviews of Vietnam War dog handlers.
Cracker, an amazingly intelligent German Shepherd, knows more than 90 words and lives the life of royalty that she deserves. It is her birthright. She has lived with (and slept with) Willie since she was about six months old, but before she is two, her life changes traumatically. Willie's father has been laid off, and the family needs to move to an apartment --- one that doesn't allow dogs. There are few options, and, according to the shelter, Cracker probably will be put down. Unable to locate a new family or home, they come across an advertisement from the military: Uncle Sam is looking for a few good dogs. Cracker is to enlist and join the army.
Cracker mourns for Willie, certain that his young master will rescue her as she is shipped to unfriendly locations, kenneled with lots of other dogs and then given to some strange man. Cracker is paired up with Rick Hanski --- who volunteered for duty in Vietnam at the young age of 17 --- to train for locating bombs, traps and the enemy. The lives of Cracker and Rick, along with those of thousands of soldiers, will depend on the success of their training and how well they are able to work together.
Author Cynthia Kadohata carefully crafts her narrative with two alternating voices --- Rick's and Cracker's --- as she describes their bond, fears, concerns and conditions. Rick is warned that he is never to take his eyes off his dog in the field, and Cracker must learn to separate a variety of alien smells in order to determine real threats. They do not work in complete isolation; instead, they develop close relationships with several other handlers and their dogs. But it is the unique bond shared between Rick and Cracker that rises above all else. Their attachment forms from complete respect, admiration, love and trust in each other.
Cracker earns the respect of all who meet her, as she truly becomes a hero and "The Best Dog in Vietnam." Due to the subject matter, CRACKER! is an incredibly intense and emotionally challenging book. Those who share a close relationship with a dog or two will struggle at times, but will admire and applaud the spirit and intelligence of this amazing animal. I live with two gifted and affectionate Labradors (also used as war dogs) and found myself snuggling a little more closely with them while reading. My apologies to Kadohata, but shortly after beginning the book, I absolutely had to flip to the last page before resuming the story.
In December 2005 I read John Grogan's MARLEY & ME, never putting it down once started. And in February 2007 the same thing happened with CRACKER! I applaud the spirits of both dogs and the skill with which the authors have depicted them.
--- Reviewed by Patsy Side
A review from Deanne Apke, Most intriguing storyline.......2007-05-25
Magnificent Dawn of Venus, being the daughter of Felix Olympus von Braun, the great show dog, was expected to do great things. A badly broken leg that scars her for life ruins any chance of becoming a great show dog. Venus is then given to Willie. Now named Cracker, Venus's new family has to live in an apartment, but there is a strict "No pet policy". Willie's family then tries to find a new home for Cracker, but the only two places they can find are the army and the kennel. Willie would hate for his best friend to go to the kennel, so Cracker is then given to the army for the Vietnam War. Rick Hanski, 17, is just a normal guy in a normal town in a normal state who has decided to "whip the world" and he is going to do this by volunteering to be a dog handler in the Vietnam War. Rick and Cracker are then paired up for the war. They don't really trust each other and so are off to a bad start in training. After a game and a few wieners they start to trust each other and are soon at the top of the class. But when they get to Vietnam they realize that this is getting all too tough all too fast. This is war and there will be no playing around or misreading your dog's signal, for that could mean your life and thousands of others.
This book is one of my favorite books! I absolutely loved the book! I would put aside my bedtime just to read this book. It helped me understand what people and dogs would go through in the wars.
Great book!.......2007-05-16
I listened to the audio version of this book and really enjoyed it.
At the very beginning of the book when Cracker was still with Willie I almost stopped listening thinking it was too much of a kids book, but it didn't last long. About the time Cracker begins her military service I was deeply drawn into the book. I listened to the book on my commute to and from work and I found it difficult to leave the car when I arrived.
The book really gives you a feel of what it was like to be a dog handler in Vietnam. It really makes you empathize with the soldiers, the dog handlers and even Cracker.
I highly recommend this book for kids (I'm trying to think about which of my nieces and nephews won't be insulted that it's rated for younger kids) I also think it's a great book for adults who are interested in dogs as well as Vietnam.
Product Description
Get the lowdown on keeping your dog healthy and contentLoyal and intelligent, the German Shepherd has a long history as a working dog and as a family companion. This fun and friendly book provides insights into the German Shepherd temperament, sensible advice on taking care of and training your dog, tips on participating in a variety of dog competitions, and much more.Discover how to:Choose the right German Shepherd for you.Acclimate your puppy to his new home.Educate yourself and your dog.Maintain good health through proper exercise and diet.Handle behavioral problems.The Dummies WayExplanations in plain English."Get in, get out" information.Icons and other navigational aids.Tear-out cheat sheet.Top ten lists.A dash of humor and fun
Customer Reviews:
Agree with other reviewers.......2007-07-19
I've had this book for two years now and agree with many other reviewers. While the information in the book is helpful in a general sense, the cover picture and title could be changed and it could apply to any dog breed. Really nothing specific about German Shepherds.
German Sheherds.......2007-06-27
This is a very good book on the basics of owning a German Shepherd and has many helpful suggestions.
German Shepherds for Dummies.......2007-05-19
I'm new to dog ownership and I just adopted an 18-month old German Shepherd Dog from a local shelter. I wanted to learn as much as I could about dogs, specifically GSD's so I ordered this book. My observations are:
1) The book is informative and covers I wide range of topics, i.e., training, feeding, housebreaking, etc.
2) This book can be used as a reference guide so you don't need to read the entire book if you just need advice on specific issues.
3) This book was easy to read and I read the entire book in a few days.
4) Although I gained some knowledge from this book, many of the items covered I was able to find quite easily on the internet for free.
5) This book was inexpensive and available through Amazon with free shipping, which is how I got it.
Bottom line: If you don't mind spending a few dollars, this is a nice reference guide to have. Otherwise, you can find this information for free on the internet.
German Shepherds for Dummies.......2007-01-22
I liked this book because it gave me a lot of information on how to take care of a german shepherd and general techniques of what to do if they are sick, what to feed them, etc.
My two cents .......2006-10-12
I was surprised by all the negative feedback on the book. I really liked it. I know it's not pure, pure, GSD, but dogs are dogs, you're going to run into some overlap.
I wish I had bought the book, before I got my dog, but it was still helpful none the less. I got my GSD from German Shepherd Rescue. The book talks about like programs as well as breeders.
If you're thinking about getting a GSD, I'd recommend the book.
Customer Reviews:
the best.......2000-09-14
This is very Excellent book for Professional dog training :) to e-mail me: myghost2000@hotmail.com
the best.......2000-09-14
This is very Excellent book for Professional dog training :)
Customer Reviews:
The GSD - there IS no other dog!!!.......2006-08-27
Nice book. A really good intro to the GSD. Really, I like the fact that the authors mention that the GSD is a great all around dog that needs something to do. They stress training, not mean training, but positive training. This dog is the ultimate dog.
Very mediocre book. I expected more.......2001-03-15
Thin book with Good pictures, very nice words about GS dog very little obidience and not much about dog phsycology. No good examples. Very compact book. If you want more comprehensive info on GS dog look somewhere else. this book is just a touch up on most common topics.
The Good Shepherd is Great.......2001-02-03
This book contains just what the person contemplating getting a German Shepherd Dog needs. I've owned German Shepherds all my life and know a great deal about the breed. This book gives everything you need to be a successful and proud GSD owner. Easy to read and understand. Great book for experienced GSD owners too. Pete Brevik
I couldn't put this book down!.......2001-01-12
I have been looking at getting a dog for the last six months and have just recently focused on the German Shepherd Dog. There are a ton of available books out there, and I'm sure there are many very good ones. This one caught my eye, however, becuase its co-written by "Uncle Matty", who I first saw on his PBS show "Woof! It's a dog's life". The care and love he showered the dogs on the show, especially the ones with "behaviour problems" endeared him to me from the start. He brings the same warmth and compassion to "The Good Shepherd", and includes loads of useful info as well. He is also very practical about what kind of dog the GSD is and what kind of person the owner needs to be. Honest and perceptive, this book convinced me that the German Shepherd dog is the right best friend for me!
It is about German Shepherd Dogs!.......2000-01-30
Many reviews I read for other books about breeds criticized them for being very generic, with barely one chapter about the breed itself. This entire book is about the German Shepherd! The book's table of contents illustrates what I mean. 1)Meet the German Shepherd Dog 2)A Bit of History 3)Amazing German Shepherds 4)The Shepherd Bond 5)Shepherd Gear (What Your dog Needs) 6)Feeding Your dog 7)House-Breaking Your German Shepherd Dog 8)Obedience-Training Your German Shepherd 9)German Shepherd Behavior Problems 10)Keeping Your German Shepherd Dog Healthy 11)Canine Medical Conditions 12)Medical Problems Common to the German Shepherd Dog 13)Home Medical Care 14)The Most-Asked Questions About the German Shepherd Dog Appendix: Guide Dog Schools
Product Description
Training the German Shepherd dog begins with praise and other associative learning methods. The author advises owners on setting realistic goals. As part of the Training Your Dog Series you will be taught just that; how to train your dog, with special emphasis on your special breed. Virtually every aspect of training is covered, including housebreaking and paper training, basic obedience, teaching the animal to obey both verbal and hand signals, retrieving and walking on a leash. Also covered are humane methods of breaking a dog's bad habits, such as begging, jumping on people, unnecessary barking, and biting. Each book is filled with instructive full-color photos. Other breeds featured in this Series are the Labrador Retriever and the Rottweiler. Paperback / 176 Pages / 6 1/2 x 7 7/8 / 1999
Customer Reviews:
a bit watered down.......2007-06-08
I find most of Baron's pet series books to be very general
Pretty informative........2007-03-18
I was expecting a basic training manual with a few things directed to the GSD but instead it goes from simple sit and come tricks to how to teach your dog search and tracking. It helps by explaining that if you play certain games or teach certain tricks early on, it would help if you are training them for a more advanced work and tasks, like tracking or search and rescue. It has good pictures that explain much of what they are writing about and lots of info and explaining on tricks, the breed and more advanced jobs the GSDs are known to do. I would recommend for anyone wanting to train their dog basic manners and training or more advanced levels of the training or those that just want to know more about the breed and what it is able to do a learn. It is very helpful and great for first time owners.
Elementary Information.......2007-03-09
Not a complete training manuel. Very elementary training. Sit Spot Sit stuff.
A good informative book.......2006-06-29
I wanted to have my first dog. But I wasn't sure which breed. So I decided to do some research on breeds like mastiff, rotweiler, doberman, german shepard, labradors and terriers. I bought one book on each breed (I mentioned). This book I bought for doing some research on german shepard. This is a very good informative book specially for people who want to have their first guard dog. It has explained the breed in easy and detailed way. I would recommend this to anyone who want to go in for german shepard or just want to reserch on this breed. Pictures are quite good specially of the puppy.
A good read.......2006-03-15
For a short read on German Shepards, I found this to be a pretty comprehensive book on the selection and training these dogs. Recommended for anyone contimplating buying one of these dogs and who have never owned one before.
Book Description
If you're looking for a dog that's intelligent, lovable, and loyal, the German Shepherd is just the breed for you! These highly trainable dogs make them one of the most popular breeds in America. But be prepared—these natural guardians have a protective nature that requires plenty of care and attention.
Packed with tons of information for new and seasoned owners alike, The Everything(r) German Shepherd Book is an authoritative guide to your favorite breed! Pet expert Joan Hustace Walker offers professional advice on nutrition, health care, grooming, and much more.
The Everything(r) German Shepherd Book helps you:
Choose the dog that's right for you
Train and socialize your German Shepherd
Develop a balanced diet and exercise routine
Teach basic obedience and effective discipline
Identify common health problems
With tips like these, your devoted new puppy or adult dog will become that best friend you've been looking for!
Customer Reviews:
buy this book, it's outstanding!.......2007-08-15
I bought this book to prepare ahead of time for my new german shepherd... and this book is absolutely outstanding! It mentally and physically helps prepare you before your GS comes home (and even after). All the information was very helpful... this book doesn't miss a thing. It also provides you with outside resources for information on finding breeders, trainers, etc. The chapters are also easy to navigate if you choose to only read specific sections. The best part is that the content focuses on positive-reinforcement training methods as opposed to negative-reinforcement. You can't beat the price for the quality of information this book provides!
Best German Shepherd Book for new owners.......2007-07-30
I bought several dog books in preparation for my German Shepherd puppy. This by far was the best at giving practical information and advice. It's in a very easy to read format. And, it's a great value too! I don't think any new GSD owner can go wrong with this book. After showing it to my breeder, she even bought her own copy.
This really is a COMPLETE guide to GSDs.......2007-01-09
I have two GSDs and have read quite a few GSD books. To date, I think that this one is the best. It does not go too in depth about any one topic, but rather gives the main points about about several topics. I also read several tidbits of info that I actually didn't already know (and I thought I knew it all by now!).
Average customer rating:
- The best in genetics of the German Shepherd Dog
- A must have for anyone thinking about breeding.
- THE BEST information available to the serious breeder!
- The definitive scholarly work on German Shepherd genetics.
- Great information for GSD enthusiasts as well as breeders.
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The German Shepherd Dog: A Genetic History
Malcolm B. Willis
Manufacturer: Howell Book House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 0876051751 |
Customer Reviews:
The best in genetics of the German Shepherd Dog.......2004-12-22
This book is the best on the topic of genetics of the German Shepherd Dog. A must have for any breeder and a great book for any lover of the breed. Easy to read and understand. I have owned this book for a number of years and purchased other books on the topic of dog genetics but this is the book that I find myself picking up for the answers.
A must have for anyone thinking about breeding........1999-03-06
If you are new to the breed or old this book is a bible for breeders. Even if you are into another breed this book is very good for it covers alot that is not breed specific. There is so much information in this book one is always going back over it. No german Shepherd breeder should be without this in thier library.
THE BEST information available to the serious breeder!.......1997-07-08
Although his earlier version (1970's version) of this book was excellent, and probably the best for it's era, this version is excellent! With up to date information from various countries around the world, this book gives a non-biased background of the genetics behind controlled breeding of Quality German Shepherd Dogs. He provides avenues for further education on any one point in his book, however, I find that all information provided by Willis is sufficient in making educated decisions in any good breeding program.
A must for any serious breeder, and a book that will fast become "impossible to get".
Robert Frischke
KAHREN KENNELS
The definitive scholarly work on German Shepherd genetics........1997-03-20
Geneticist and German Shepherd breed devotee Malcolm B. Willis, Ph.D. is the acclaimed author of the definitive work, The German Shepherd Dog: A Genetic History. With his comprehensive explanations of genetic principles, Willis details the genetics of reproduction, behavior, hip dysplasia, and other inheritable diseases of the German Shepherd dog. This book is an essential addition to every breeder's library. It is also a remarkably educational resource for anybody who is committed to fully
understanding the genetic history of the breed and preserving its future.
Great information for GSD enthusiasts as well as breeders........1996-10-15
When a little fuzzball draws you in with his big puppy eyes, then gallops your way and leaps up to lick you in the face, the check is as good as signed. That's why I wanted to read this book BEFORE picking my next pup. As Willis points out in his book, not all fuzzballs are alike. Some are simply better equiped in temperment, health and intelligence. The book is packed with pictures and descriptions of famous German Shepherds from around the world, and provides an opportunity for dog breeders and owners to make responsible choices in selecting their own fuzzballs. Willis details the genetic faults of the breed, and even identifies which dogs tend to carry those traits, so you can study pedigrees before you make an ill-fated purchase. The only problem with the book, besides the price (which is daunting, though probably worth it considering the investment you will make in your new dog) is that Willis assumes too much knowledge of genetics in the beginning of the book. But if the reader consults a dictionary or encyclopedia at those early passages, then the rest should be fairly easy to grasp. Also, the book could use an update since more recent studs and bitches which are NOT found in this book are currently lining the pedigrees of today's fuzzballs. I've just started searching for my own fuzzball a month ago, but I already know more about the breed than 80% of the breeders I've talked to thanks to Willis's book
Amazon.com
My Dog Tulip is the ultimate bitch session--in the canine sense of the phrase, of course. In 1947, J.R. Ackerley rescued an 18-month-old German shepherd, and from the start her every look and move were to undo him. "Tulip never let me down. She is nothing if not consistent. She knows where to draw the line, and it is always in the same place, a circle around us both. Indeed, she is a good girl, but--and this is the point--she would not care for it to be generally known." As he anatomizes her from head to toe with the awe-struck precision of a medieval courtier, Ackerley instantly turns us into Tulipomanes. Alas, many of the mere mortals she encounters feel differently, for there are indeed two Tulips. One is highly strung but heroic, flirtatious but true. The other is a four-legged rejoinder to authority: a biter, a barker, and a dab hand at defecating her way around London. Not that any of these are her fault. "You're the trouble," Tulip's one good vet tells Ackerley as she banishes him from the surgery. "She's in love with you, that's obvious. And so life's full of worries for her."
In many ways this 1956 memoir is an intimate saga of human idealism and doggish realism. Or is it the other way around? In any case, this odd couple undertakes a series of adventures, which bring them into contact with a gallery of strange, mostly martial players. There's the taunting Colonel Finch, owner of Gunner, an Alsatian suitor that Tulip finds wanting--and Captain Pugh, who had served with Ackerley in World War I and who even then was a bizarre mixture of efficiency and indolence. Decades later, in "those rare moments when he was not horizontal he would stalk about the farm buildings with great vigor, making pertinent remarks in his military voice and spreading consternation among the cows."
Ackerley stints no detail when it comes to the varieties of Tulip's urinary and anal experience. But he is concerned above all with the canine heart, and the perils of conception and whelping are at his book's center. Tulip's vita amorosa truly is a via dolorosa as she scorns and scants her aristocratic paramours. Finally, "this exquisite creature in the midst of her desire" hears of the call of-- But we shall reveal no more! My Dog Tulip should instantly make its way onto the shelves of lovers of fine dogs (of whichever bloodlines) and finer literature--and doesn't that cover most of humanity? --Kerry Fried
Book Description
J.R. Ackerley's German shepherd Tulip was skittish, possessive, and wild, but he loved her deeply. This clear-eyed and wondering, humorous and moving book, described by Christopher Isherwood as one of the "greatest masterpieces of animal literature," is her biography, a work of faultless and respectful observation that transcends the seeming modesty of its subject. In telling the story of his beloved Tulip, Ackerley has written a book that is a profound and subtle meditation on the strangeness abiding at the heart of all relationships.
Customer Reviews:
My Dog Tulip is a Classic.......2007-07-05
This book was exactly as other reviewers described it; some hated it and others loved it. I was hesitant at first but decided I had to experience it. It is charming and a big reminder of how people viewed dogs in the not so distant past. Tulip's loving owner did not think of using doggie poop bags and struggled for years with where and when she eliminated. He wouldn't hear of spaying her and struggled for years with her coming in season, even having a litter of puppies he didn't want and couldn't find good homes for. All this was delightfully described in a mercifully brief book. I'm glad I read it, although I've read many other books on dogs that were more amusing and more enlightening. It is a wonderful reminder of what things were like in the 1940s and should be on the shelf of every dog lover who also loves books.
Reviewers Trash Classic!!!.......2004-02-18
Who is Kerry Fried, and why is s/he reviewing this classic? I read this book several years ago. As a story of a female shepherd and her owner, it is brutally honest, to the detail. Ackerley as a dog person, seems so indulgent and feeble. While reading, one must be mindful that the events took place in the 40's and in Briton. Perhaps he never had a dog before, and knew no better. Pups, off leash adventures, pooping issues. As subject matter, who but another shepherd lover would care. Who but a post modern dog lover would be appalled at the old fashioned beliefs and attitudes. But, and this is critical, but, the language is beautiful, the sentiment expressed is pure. And the final chapter, and final paragraph, are exquisite. I feel the passing of her life from his own, his long life stretching out so far beyond her sweet existence within it. I love my dog Olk as dearly, and dread his eventual loss.
Nancy
Superb form, distressing content........2004-01-28
Being a dog lover but not a dog owner who believes that it is cruel to keep most dogs in an urban environment, and especially a large dog in a flat as the author did, I found this memoir not to be my cup of tea. Humans are portrayed in it as curious, rather unsympathetic creatures, whilst the dog at the center of his love, is romanticised despite the loving detail with which the author describes the bodily functions of the animal. I can understand though, its appeal to those with an obsession with their dog who find humans too argumentative, contrary or difficult. An instance of "horses for courses" so to speak.
A Real Dog of a Book ... and Not in a Good Way.......2002-11-15
If you want to be immersed in a definitely 1960's I'm-obsessed-with-Freud take on dog ownership from someone who should never have been allowed to own a dog ... if you're dying to discover in ad nauseum detail the fecal and urinary habits of an animal whose owner lacks the least understanding of training a dog ... if you yearn for all the details of the miseries this animal goes through whenever she's in heat, this is the book for you.
One has to wonder at the dark workings of Ackerley's psyche. There's a strident and distressing pornographical note that sounds throughout the book as he writes of his beloved Tulip. Here he is, writing of the first time she goes into heat: "I was enchanted. That small dark bud, her vulva, became gradually swollen and more noticeable amid the light gray fur of her thighs as she walked ahead of me, and sometimes it would set up, I supposed, a tickle or a trickle or some other sensation, for she would suddenly squat down in the road and fall to licking it. At such moments I could see how much lager it had grown and the pretty pink of its lining ... I felt very sweet toward her. She also felt very sweet towards me." He goes on to describe in great detail how she mounts his leg and what that's like for the 2 of them. And it's not as if this is a one-time thing.
No, folks, the ENTIRE book is a treatise detailing such events: "Now, squatting here and there upon other dogs' droppings... like some famous chef adding to a prepared dish the final exquisite flavor, the crowning touch, she left behind her in the snow as she flew a series of sorbets, and her crazed attendants were so often and so long delayed in licking them up that they eventually fell far behind."
This is not exactly the kind of thing I care to discover about an animal, however charming the dog herself might be. But what REALLY disturbed me was the misery Ackerley put this poor animal through in his obsession to find her "a husband." Worse still, once she finally managed to produce a litter, Ackerley's inclination, was to kill all the pups. "In the bathroom ... I prepared a bucket of water and a flour sack weighted with such heavy objects as I could lay my hands on ... How could I distract proud Tulip's attention while I carried out my dark deed? Soon, no doubt, she would wish to relieve nature and my chance would come."
If this is the kind of a boy-and-his-dog relationship you want to know more about, go for it. Personally, I was left feeling I'd exposed myself to the dark workings of a pretty twisted mind, and I wish I hadn't learned there are people of relate to animals the way Ackereley does.
Possibly good for potential dog breeders.......2002-10-05
I liked this book, although as a dog owner I found myself shaking my head and shocked at many of the things that were done with this dog... I do think this is a great book for anyone who is thinking of breeding their dog as it gives a good account of the trials of breeding, raising puppies, and the problems that can occur for the pups and mother.
Book Description
Pushcart Prize winner Ana Menendez landed firmly in the literary landscape last year with the hardcover publication of In Cuba I Was a German Shepherd. Reviewers overwhelmingly agree that she is an important new voice in American fiction: hers is "a bright debut that points to even brighter accomplishments to come" (Michiko Kakutani, The New York Times), a tour de force that is "poignant and varied, emotionally vivid and hauntingly melancholy" (San Francisco Chronicle), and "a Cuban odyssey that conjures up Eugene O'Neill-like drama" (Kirkus Reviews). In these linked tales about the Cuban-American experience and the immigrant experience in general, Ana Menendez has instantly established herself as a natural storyteller who "probes with steady humor and astute political insight the dreams versus the realities of her characters" (Elle). From the prizewinning title story -- a masterpiece of humor and heartbreak -- unfolds a series of family snapshots that illuminate the landscape of an exiled community rich in heritage, memory, and longing for the past. In Cuba I Was a German Shepherd is at once "tender and sharp-fanged" (L.A. Weekly) as Ana Menendez charts the territory from Havana to Coral Gables with unforgettable passion and explores whether any of us are capable, or even truly desirous, of outrunning our origins. "Achingly wise." -- Richard Eder, the New York Times Book Review "Menendez taps into [a] wellspring of broken promises and unfulfilled desires and gives us a ... peek at ... the Cuban-American experience." -- Ariel Gonzalez, The Miami Herald "Menendez offers a lilting narrative that sways soulfully between past and present, longing and regret, joy and tragedy." -- Donna Rifkind, The Baltimore Sun "Superb ... The community that emerges in these pages is one of humor, acute grief, and gifted storytelling." -- Fionn Meade, The Seattle Times "The first work of a young writer with a bright future." -- Jay Goldin, Fort Worth Morning Star-Telegram "A tender and occasionally sharp-fanged portrait of Miami's Cuban-exile community ... Brave and funny and true." -- Ben Ehrenreich, L.A. Weekly "A raucous, heartfelt debut...Deft, talented and hilarious...." -- Junot Diaz
Customer Reviews:
Beautifully written, but repetitive.......2005-12-12
This book is a collection of short stories, all of which involve Cuban expatriates, and many of which have characters in common. All the stories have a tone of melancholy or even desperation, and all deal with themes of loss--loss of husbands, wives, parents, and children, and especially, loss of a homeland. Each story makes beautiful use of language, but they are mostly the sort of stories in which nothing much really happens: a husband can't sleep because he imagines that his wife is unfaithful, a woman waits to see if her husband will survive the raft trip from Cuba, and so on. While I enjoyed each story, I found the collection as a whole repetitive. By the end, I didn't think that the stories had anything new to say.
A Varied Collection of Variable Quality.......2005-03-01
These eleven short stories with recurring characters range from the comic opener to the darkly sinister "The Perfect Fruit" to the almost Argentine magical realism of "Miami Relatives." There are many flashes of brilliance, such as this from "Miami Relatives":
"The Aunt Julia climbs to the top of the table and holds her arms out for silence. 'Today I ate the sun,' she says. 'The darkness was delicious.' We sit staring at her until she opens her mouth and blinds us."
Or the story "The Last Rescue" which is a fevered depiction of insomnia.
However these moments arrive as flashes precisely because the surrounding text is less bright, less interesting, less illuminated by insight. Long stretches seem strained or uninspired. Perhaps, not being Cuban-American, I cannot relate to the experiences related by the author but my general impression is that the book was somewhat uneven.
Not my kind of book.......2003-07-13
I can definitely see how some people would enjoy this book, but it didn't do much for me. I felt some stories were too long winded, especially the one where the husband is having a sleepless night and keeps worrying about his wife's faithfulness to him. It was torture trying to get through that and other stories. Sure, the author could write beautifully, but I didn't feel like I learned anything from the stories or the novel as a whole. A disappointing read.
Amazing Imagery.......2003-01-10
This book completely caught me off guard with its beautifully still scenes of intense imagery. I can't recommend this book enough to people who love authors who have almost a lyrical style. The plot is complex and many of the chapters seem to suspend time in the air. Not arrogant or showy at all, the book is intricately beautiful and a phenomenal piece of art.
A voice for a people of exile.......2002-12-12
Ana Menendez does a fantastic job expressing life as an immigrant. Through humor and uncanny examples and spanish phrases any Cuban is all too familiar with, she brings a sense of nostalgia with her words that reach and communicate not only to the Cuban people but to any group of people anywhere in the world. Fantastic read!
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