O Books

Very nice book of poems for children (my daughters are age 4 and 6). Each poem describes the various behavior of the same little dog. The dog reminds us of our Shih Tsu. Cute illustration. Pleasantly surprised with this book.

Little Dog Poems is a book full of short, cute poems about the life of a little dog and its owner. There is a one poem on each page with illustrations relating to the text. The poems go through one entire day in the life of the dog, from waking up, to playtime, and back to bed again. Children will love reading and being read this adorable little book.

The watercolor illustrations in the book tell the story perfectly. This makes it easy for a young reader, or even listener, to follow along with the words. The pictures are also very realistic, which would help the child relate to the story. The little girl even has to use a step stool in one picture. Children can easily see the love the little girl has for her puppy on all of the pages.

None of the poems use rhyming words, but they do use a poetic format. Sometimes the words are printed in straight lines or even in a spiral formation to help illustrate the story. There is odd spacing between the lines that changes the way the poems are read. Children will love to try and read these poems, and the spacing might actually help them pace themselves and succeed. The words contained in the poems are very basic and would be a great place for any beginning reader to start.

The poems in the book create many different emotions, such as happiness playing catch, sadness being left at home, and even frustration at chewed up socks. Some of the poems even create sensory images, such as taste in the kitchen poem and touch in the comfort poem. Children will love reading this book over and over, because what child does not love an adorable little puppy?

Ms. O'Connell George's simple prose come together beautifully in this lovely story. Perfect for Pre-K through early elementary.

Younger children will enjoy the simple verses. For my 8 year old son, who is a dog lover, he just enjoyed learning the story, but also had his eyes open to how simple poetry can be... doesn't have to rhyme and be some long hard to understand thing.

A great poetry intro. Also be sure to check out Little Dog and Duncan .. which seems even better than the original little dog and is a great friendship story.

I have read both of these Little Dog books to my first grade students and they enjoyed each and every poem very much!!! Many of my students bonded with the child and her dog and had lots of stories to tell and write about their own experiences with pets.
These are two of my favorite books to read to them when I talk about poems not having to rhyme to be poems. I wish Ms. George would write more books about Little Dog and his experiences!

Kristine O'Connell George has written one of the most endearing books of the year....Every poem illuminates another incident in the busy life of Little Dog, and dog-owners are sure to recognize their own pets in him. June Otani's watercolors are as charming as the text.

Short story collections are famous for having a few dogs, but every single one in this collection proves wickedly wise, funny and FABULOUS. This is one of those bedside table books you'll keep handy just so you can re-read your favorites. And don't be surprised if you feel compelled to call your girlfriends at odd hours of the night to quote the clever Ms. O'connell. Fans of Lorrie Moore will love Living with Saints.

What a fine collection of stories, strung on an idea but brilliantly distinguished from each other. O'Connell has a great ear -- perfect pitch. I haven't seen a false note there. I hope we'll see more of her stories, soon.

The best debute I've ever read from a new writer. The stories are not only original, but moving, funny entertaining, etc..

If you love a good read of short stories, then this is a must for you.

I was initially ...[pulled] in by the fabulous cover (the Australian hardcover edition) and was even more impressed by these immensely satisfying stories. I was moved to laugh, cry, be surprised, but stilled by the gentleness of the stories. I suppose being raised as a Catholic, and having left that doctrine, has put me in a good position to enjoy the stories. Whilst some may feel shocked by the treatment of the saints I felt that I got to glimpse the humans behind the myths. I was also pleased by the variety of female characters that the author created. They all felt genuine.

If you're looking for intelligent, well-crafted short stories that sparkle with wit then look no further.

This is an inspired work, with a singular voice--O'Connell brings so much heart, poetry, grittiness and spirituality to her characters. There's a nearly supernatural energy in her prose, blessing every detail of the every day world with fresh perspective, whether she's describing a particular pain, a scent or the specific color of the shadows beneath the eyes of a neglectful mother. She has compassion for even her most hateful characters, making them that much more believable. This is more than a collection of stories--it's a transformative fable, telling tales of ultimate redemption with humanity and fine wit. Hope she gets the attention she deserves!

outstanding work. I did not put the book down untill I finished it. And when I finished it, i did not want it to end.
Wooooooooooooooooooooow.

that was $15 well spent. a romantic thriller that keeps you craving for more. great plot and well told.

brilliant, indeed it was a long journey home for both Rebecca and Ian. I highly recommend that everyone should read it.

superb, it grabs you right at the beggining. she keeps you guessing. yes it was a great story.

she has her own new style, it is impecable.
full of surprises at the end. i highly recomend it.

A coming of age, a little romance, a little suspense, a little mystery-- Father Greeley has put a little of everything into this coming of age story of a young Irish American. As in many of Greeley's stories, this "accidental" hero soon grabs the heart of the reader. The yarn of adventures wrapped around the characters as young Chucky grows up keeps you hooked, and will entice you into reading through the whole series to see what Chucky Ducky and the "crazy O'Malley's" will do next. I highly recommend.

I debated four stars or five but gave the author the benefit of the doubt for a compelling novel and interesting characters and settings. The narrator's (Charles O'Malley's) shifts from present to future to past were disconcerting and tempted me to remove one star. As usual, Greeley is a skilled chronicler of Irish-American Catholic life. In this book we also see something of the early postwar period in Germany with its misery, black market profiteering, and progress toward democracy. The relationship of Charles (or Chucky)and Rosemarie (or Rosie)is not really resolved and may be fodder for another novel.

This is an unusually (sorry, Father) cleverly written book. Lots of
narrative, sentiment and good lines. One of my favorites is on
p. 300. Greeley has this warmly naive fraulein say to the story's
hero, whose car is running out of gas, "May I ask you a question,
Karl?" Answer: "I have to concentrate on driving the car,
Trudi. Please don't bother me." And Trudi says, "But does
the E on that gauge mean empty?" Dry wit at its best!

Greeley's
history is wonderfully accurate. I wish he would have mentioned one of
my wartime favorites, the eponymous H.V. Kaltenborn. I would have
liked a little less sarcasm (mild tho' it was) and less G.I. obscenity
(tolerable tho' it was).

This book deserves a movie contract- with
Father Andrew directing!

I enjoyed this book, spending the better part of a Sunday afternoon to finish it. It is the beginning of a series focused on bright and personable young Chuck O'Malley. The young man has the gift for detective work that is a common trait of Greeley's protagonists. While the setting and character types are familiar from other Greeley novels, the story is a pleasant exploration of familiar territory. This story provided a nice balance of action, suspense, and good characters. It's frustration is that it is the first installment in a series and just when you want more the book ends. Of course, the next installment is available as I write this belated review. Chuck O'Malley may just end up on my favorite character list along with Blackie Ryan and the Coynes (Dermot and Naula Ann).

Father Greeley introduces us to new and captivating fictional (but don't we know real-life folks similiar?) Irish-Catholic families in Chicago and deftly interweaves them with suspense in Post World War II Germany. But, here's a *WARNING* I wish I would have known when I started this book: this is "Part One" of the saga. Unlike the Blackie Ryan or Nuala Ann books, it is NOT self-contained. One must read the 2d of this series, _Younger Than Springtime_, to have even a glimmer of how it all ends. Order both now, so you won't have to pester your Postperson to keep reading ;-) I hope, to complete the saga (still not wholly resolved at the end of _Springtime_,)that there will be a _Summer_ and _Autumn_?

I've been a fan of Modesty and Willie since the books first came out, and I was a loyal reader of the strip in the London Evening Standard for many years.
If you like action novels, with unusual villains, fast-moving scenes, and plenty of tongue in cheek humor, Modesty Blaise is the girl for you, and 'Modesty Blaise', the first novel in the series, is a good place to start.
After writing non-fiction for many years, I turned to fiction in 2003, and my first novel 'Snides' is available on Amazon. As a gesture of homage to Peter O'Donnell, I created an action duo, John Pilgrim and Sally Brandon. They're not straight copies of the originals and the best, Modesty Blaise and Willie Garvin, but I've tried to hit their target of plenty of action, with a little humor.
I own the complete series of Modesty Blaise books, and one of them is always on my bedside table. I must have read them all dozens of times, but I still keep re-reading them!

Tony Walker
Scottsdale, Arizona

Modesty Blaise is the perfect woman. That is if the perfect woman is a different sort of beautiful, witty, funny, sophisticated, terrifyingly focused and a lethal killer without commitments.

If you like your superheroes or thrillers to be up close and personal, you need to read O'Donnell's Modesty Blaise. There are gadgets, guns, and impossible missions, not to mention hand to hand combat poetry.

In this book, Tarrant, of the British Secret Service, has a problem. He wants Modesty's help, but really has no leverage, except to play on how much she cares about Willie Garvin. The reasons why are revealed.

He does so, and they go into action. A very dangerous situation, and they must be captured by a ruthless man named Gabriel, to stop a diamond operation.

I became an instant fan from the beginning pages of this lst of a series. Modesty and Willie are fascinating, likeable characters with almost superhuman powers between them. They fight the evil doers of the world and win against all odds. The strong, fast moving plot is deeply satisfying with unexpected twists and turns. Even though it was written over 40 years ago, the characters are still fresh and compeling. Modesty can hold her head high in the world of superwomen who break rules when necessary for the greater good. A winner for both male and female readers!

Modesty Blaise started life as a cartoon strip, but O'Donnell then put his creation into novel form, and did a superb job in both formats. This is the first novel in the series, and introduces the setting and most of the main characters.

Modesty Blaise is a former refugee and survivor of the terrible disruptions caused by the war, and as a child drifted across Eastern Europe and the Middle East in the company of an old professor. She had to be tough to survive; but her companion instilled in her a strong moral code. She took over a small criminal gang and built it up into a powerful criminal organisation infused with that moral code--they never touched drugs or vice, and occasionally co-operated with the police and intelligence services to help clean up such crimes. She retired a wealthy woman at the age of 24.

As the novel opens, Modesty and her friend and former second-in-command Willie Garvin are finding that retirement is boring and adrenaline an addiction they cannot shake. Sir Gerald Tarrant, the head of British Intelligence, exploits that addiction to recruit them for an intelligence operation for which they are peculiarly suited. What follows is a thrilling caper novel pitting Modesty and Willie against a bizarre criminal mastermind. Tight plotting and wonderful prose make this a very entertaining read, with a unique pair of heroes. It's wonderful to see Souvenir Press reissuing the novels, making them available again to both a new generation of fans and those with fond memories.

It is hard to say whether the Modesty Blaise novels or the Modesty Blaise comic strips are better, but the lucky reader doesn't have to choose. Read both. The comic strips have been reprinted by Titan Books, Ken Pierce Books, Manuscript Press, and in Comics Revue magazine, and now the novels are being reissued. Also highly recommended are the books Peter O'Donnell wrote under the pseudonym Madeleine Brent.

I liked Sergeant MacDougal as he shows up riding with Major Jonah Trmain on their way to Diablo. They and Private Davie [poor guy] are coming from Fort Fannin to Diablo in search of information about the payroll robberies.
Major Tremain sends his two companions off to Diablo while he seeks out Half-Moon Ranch and Quince Hunter. Tremain has been in some major set-tos with the Indians since Quince left him 5 years ago.

It seems like spring is in the air or at least the mating urge. Abby does not know how to handle her unsettled emotions. She is not happy or at least she is wary of her father being home from prison.

Now Jack Hunter is putting Half-Moon back deeper in debt. And the banker, Edmund Montgomery is egging Jack on.

Abby continues to snarl at Jonah while her brothers are trying to get enough mustangs together to supply the army with moderately trained horses. The Major needs a nicely trained mount for a lady.

We learn that a lot of hopes are place on the colt, Moon Racer that Abby had raised. Abby just wishes that Matt would come home.

Instead of being able to go out mustanging with her brothers she must help Iona Montgomery because Iona had been there for her for so many years. The trouble is that Edmund is in the house of an evening and he tries to get Abby to spend some time with him.
He is of the opinion that she wants him just as much as he wants her.

Quince has told Abby that Jonah is engage to Patricia Van Dere and she and Jonah's father are coming to Diablo.
Don't lose track of the payroll robberies and Jonah's determination to find the accomplices of Captain Gregory. He also has the Indian agent under watch.

There are so many interesting scenes going on with Abby cutting her hair - Abby giving Jack a mongrel pup as a birthday present - Edmund and Kane still plotting together - Jonah buying Taylor's ranch, thereby saving Taylor from Edmund forclosing - Jonah not being able to keep his hands off Abby - Abby sending off a letter to Julianna Rains for Iona.
Oh yes, and Edmund trying to force himself on Abby.
Jonah found Edmund, yikes!

Patricia turns out to be a sweet young lady [if 30 is young in those days]
You already know that Crystal is pregnant. And all of these stories take place through-out her 9 months.
Patricia just can't see herself living in the West - it terrifies her.

Definitely Recommended --m -- there is so much more to enjoy to the story. Happy reading.

Description from the back of the book:

Half-Moon Ranch

Somewhere in the lush grasslands of East Texas was a place where the sun had once shone on love and prosperity, while the night hid murder and mistrust. There, three brothers and a sister fought to hold their family together, struggled to keep their ranch solvent, while thy awaited the return of the one person who could shed light on the secrets of the past.

Abby

Growing up without a mother in a family of rowdy males, Abby had learned to ride and rope and wrangle as well as any of her brothers. But she had never learned to be a lady. And a lady was what Major Jonah Tremain was looking for in a wife. Abby told herself she didn't care that the major was engaged to a proper Eastern-bred miss, that he preferred his women wearing petticoats instead of chaps. But when she looked into his searing blue eyes ad felt the power of his lips against hers, she decided to teach him the error of his ways-only a Texas wildcat could do justice to passion such as his, and she planned to match him kiss for kiss.

* This is book #3 in the 3 book/3 author Half-Moon Ranch series. I absolutely loved this book. I loved it just as much if not better than the first in the series. Book #2 was still good (I gave it 4 stars) but book #1 & #3 are going to be really hard to beat. The storyline was great & we finally got to see little Abby grow up. Brent & Quince were in this book quite a bit & I just love how this family is there for one another. I highly recommend this series.

Book #1 - Hunter's Moon
Book #2 - Renegade Moon
Book #3 - Moon Racer
Book #4 - Dark of the Moon

I have been reading O'banyon's books for years and i love them. all of them. O'banyon understands what reader's want.

Abby and Jonah touched my heart in the way they came together in the novel. It was as though something stronger compelled them to one another.

My only complaint is when am i going to see the next book O'banyon writes?

I agree with the review above this is the best one in the series. I love Abby and Jonah, they have such an amazing chemistry together, and Edmund is such a jerk that you are happy when Jonah gets a hold of him. I love Constance O'Banyon's books and without a doubt this is my fav.

This book was the best in this four book series about a family torn apart by the murder of their mother. Abby and Jonah produce sparks from the moment they meet. Abby, the lone daughter in a family of ranchers, is an ace horse trainer. Jonah is the cavalry officer who takes pride in his honor. When he falls in love with Abby, Jonah almost lets her go because he promised to marry another woman. I really liked this book, but it was a good thing I read this one first instead of the others in the series. They did not quite reach the standard set here.

When I was newly diagnosed this was one of the first books I bought. It helped me to understand terms used in MS, and also knowledge that gave me a small sense of control over the disease. Knowledge is power, and this helped me gain that feeling.

This is one of the best books ever written for the patient. It explains in clear and concise language all aspects of concern. I have it close at hand and anytime I have a question, 9 times out of 10 it is in the book. A must read for a newly diagnosed person. I call it my bible of MS. In it is a brief history of the disease and right up to the most up to date treatment options. Absolutely love it.

I found this book to be very comprehensive: addressing what MS is, what causes MS, symptoms of MS, diagnosis, symptom management, treatment options, and social aspects. It includes the technical description, but through the use of analogies, makes each description very tangible for the layperson. I found the section on medications (and their evolution) particularly helpful. This book reinforced much of what I've learned through doctors, websites, and support organizations and filled in the gaps where information was lacking. It's an excellent resource for someone who has been newly diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

If you only buy one book about this horrible disease, this is the one. Written by an MD in an easy-to-understand style.

I bought this book two days after being diagnosed - it was so helpful in understanding what was going on, how to deal with specific symptoms, what to watch out for, etc. It also explained the treatments - from the steroids to the ABC drugs. I sent sopies to my mom and dad because they were freaking out over the whole diagnosis and I didn;t have enough strength for all of us. Knowledge is power and this one gives really good, up to date info - something critical in managing this disease.

I would like to start by saying Snoogy Cat, you do not know what you are talking about. Reg Green is a man who dedicates his life to getting out the message of organ donation. He uses the media attention to spread the word of donating life. Almost weekly he goes to meetings and conferences (at his own expense) to try and convince people to do their part to save lives. This story is one of compassion, love, and breaking barriers. Reg Green is witty and intelligent, and does his job in convincing me to do whatever I need to do for this cause.

I think everyone remembers hearing about little Nicholas, only seven
years old, killed by highway robbers in Italy. His family donated his
organs and started a rash of others doing to in Europe and throughout
the world. This is his story as told by his father. The wonderful
effect of that act made me want to give the book a better review. The
father's attitude made me want to give it a worse one, so it's right
in the middle. Maybe I would feel differently had I not read this
book directly following John Walsh's book. Walsh seemed like an
ordinary man doing his best to cope with extraordinary circumstances.
Green seems like a man who's enjoying all of the attention. His
writing style isn't great either. He flitters around topics in a
disjointed manner and goes about his mind's own ethical ramblings far
to often.

Gist: An extraordinary boy meets an extraordinary fate, producing extraordinary effects: After Nicholas, a young traveller to Italy, is killed, his parents' gesture of donating his organs ignites the gratitude of the world. Hammock-time: Requires no more than a long week-end to absorb via your hammock or beach chair. The book is fast-paced and relatively slim compared to the encyclopaedic nature of some non-fiction works. Substance: When the tragedy happened, I wept. When I saw the film starring Jamie Lee Curtis, I wept. And I wept again when I read this book. I thought at first it was because I'm Italian-American, but so many non-Italians around the world have been touched by the Greens' story. I had begun to lose faith in this world, especially dismayed by the New Thought/New Age field, with their greedy, plagiarizing (long dead philosophers are robbed boldly) authors, some truly inane ones sanctioned by Oprah, with their ineffectual techniques -- unproductive affirmations, visualizations, rigidity of mind that everything must have a reason, etc. etc. Yet the Greens, even though the father, Reg Green, is most likely an agnostic, restore my faith, refresh my soul. Something beautiful upholds this world, deeper than the surface chaos and craziness, and superficial philosophies that seek to explain life. A subtle chiascuro effect underlines this book: of deep dark pain playing against light-filled love. Reg Green's sense of humor creates a delightful poignancy. I sense many readers like myself will re-read the book. It's difficult to analyze, but I left sensing stronger than ever that an afterlife truly does exist. My heart goes out to the Greens, and to my fellow spiritual seekers who need a book like this to understand and experience the concepts of love, attunement -- concepts freed from the manipulative twists by a good ole guru network of popular authors who claim to know such truths. Complementary book: Can You Drink The Cup? by the late Fr. Henri Nouwen, is Christian-oriented, but it so lyrically and sensitively explores the universal experiences of love and grief, I enjoyed reading it, as what I'd term a sort of Seekers' Survival Guide, concurrently with the Green book.

As a liver transplant recepient almost four years ago, I had heard of the Nicholas effect. Shortly before reading this book, I discovered through a letter from my donor family that my donor had been inspired to sign his donor card based on Nicholas Green. This book is a stunning and true story of a boy's life, a family's grief and the heroic decision to make a difference to many others whom they did not know. Nicholas Green is still making a difference today becuase his story continues to ripple outward as when a pebble is dropped into a pond. I URGE you to read this book for yourself and prepared to be touched.

There is a verse in the bible which reads "Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil by doing good." Reg and Maggie Green have embraced this creed wholeheartedly. When their beautiful son was senselessly murdered in late 1994, instead of sinking into the depths of grief, they proved how well he had taught them about the power of love during his brief time on earth by using his example to save millions of lives around the world. If such a tragic thing were to happen to me, I hope that my actions would be identical to theirs. I thank Reg and Maggie for sharing little Nicholas with the world and I am sure he would be very proud of them (as we all are). Through their unselfish and life affirming actions, they have proven yet again that the power of good will never be overcome by the power of evil.

we loved this story I didn't not realize there was a history on these
people. and it was done so well I would recommend you read Malaki first
then this book after. good read

Aloha kakou,
Outstanding collaborative effort by two very important Native Hawaiian voices. This wonderful portrait details a man`s life spent well--dealing with the challenges and trials of surviving Hansen`s disease in Kalaupapa, Moloka`i. Not an in depth about Hansen`s or Kalaupapa, this is Henry`s story, his life, loves, talents and legacy. Henry tells his story, through Sally-Jo`s sensitive handling, with the self effacing, off hand manner of a true local Bruddah. Typical of Hawaiians of his generation, he can do a handful of difficult things really well. This celebration of a life lived with purpose also shows what can result from a life lived purposefully with Aloha. I strongly recommend this book.

Reviewed by Richard R. Blake for Reader Views (3/07)

This is an amazing story. It is Henry's story. Henry Nalielua, diagnosed with Hansen's disease at the age of ten, was branded leprous. "No Footprints in the Sand" is an important memoir. It tells of the journey that took Henry from a sugar plantation community on the Island of Hawaii to Kalaupapa, a remote settlement on the Hawaiian island of Molokai.

Nalaielua's story is inspiring. Even in exile, with lifelong medical and physical challenges and isolation from his family, he faced life with hope, perseverance, courage, and humor. Henry learned to draw and paint. He became an artist. Henry loved music and mastered the ukulele and upright bass. He became a musician. Henry's mind was sharp. He was determined and quick-to-learn. He became an historian. Henry has also served on numerous public agency advisory boards. When the facility at Kalaupapa was named a National Historic Park, Henry became a guide for park visitors. He still resides at Kalaupapa

Co-author Sally-Jo Bowman worked determinedly over a period of years to help bring Henry's story to publication. She first met Henry in 1995, when he helped her with on-site research at Kaluapapa for several magazine articles about the Hansen's disease colony.

Henry's story is unforgettable. It is told with intimacy and openness. "No Footprints in the Sand" is a heartwarming memoir that will inspire anyone facing adversity, long term illness, or needing encouragement. This was a very positive reading experience.

I've now given away so many copies of No Footprints that I should have bought a dozen or twenty at wholesale. Henry's is an amazing story of a kolohe kanaka - naughty Hawaiian - who had the misfortune to contract a dreaded disease in 1936. Sally-Jo Bowman's input makes it a fascinating read. Sounds just like Henry sat down and wrote it all by himself, but we know it doesn't work that way. I chuckled at Henry's can-do attitude. Man after my own heart. I'm glad the book includes all his Casanova events. What a guy, a real renaissance kanaka kane - Hawaiian man. Great title!

In his powerful first book, "Uncle Henry" Nalaielua tells a story that has rarely been told, of a dark moment of Hawai'i's history; not from the distant viewpoint of the historian, but from the first-person testimony of its survivor.

With honesty, humor and vivid detail, Henry's courageous tale touched my soul, so profoundly, that I kept wanting to know more. I couldn't put it down and finished it in one sitting, wishing that it wouldn't end. It stirred emotions in the same way as Paulo Coelho's, "The Alchemist," in its message of following one's dream, despite all obstacles. (Except, this is no fable; it is a real life piece.)

Along with his brilliant co-author, Sally-Jo Bowman, he weaves an intimate story of strength and perserverence, which will surely be known for decades to come as one of the islands' finest mo`olelo.

This is a must read for everyone and makes for a wonderful gift. It will touch you in surprising ways, and make you want to meet this incredible man and the spiritual place that he would finally call, "home."

In the late 1970s, when the Mets really hit the skids and the Yankees got good again, it became necessary, if you were a kid in the Tri- State
area, to at least watch the Yankees, perhaps even to grudgingly root for them.  Forced into this spiritually untenable position, I chose to only
root for the scrubs, which made Cliff Johnson my favorite player.  I'll never forget the game where he tagged a pitch and Phil Rizzuto started
screaming that : "That one's outta here", bringing joy to the heart of every Heatchliff fan, only to have his towering popup caught by the
second baseman.  

"The Scooter" was easy to laugh at, with his myriad phobias, his propensity for saying unintentionally offensive things about minorities, his
tendency to leave the ballpark early when the Yankees were home, etc. But then there began appearing in The Village Voice a most
remarkable feature : verbatim text from Scooter's broadcasts rendered as poetry. We were suddenly confronted with the frightening prospect
that Scooter was not only making sense, but serving up literature, even profundity. Consider the wisdom, about baseball and about life [....]

As it turns out, this kind of exercise even has a name, it's called "found poetry." The Rizzuto poems are as good as any I've seen[...].

At any rate, this book is a hoot and once you read it you'll never again think of Rizzuto as just a good glove man, nor listen to a baseball
broadcast without noticing the frequently poetic nature of the announcer's line of patter.

GRADE : A

This literary gem is destined to be handed down from parent to child for generations to come.

Long before there was politics, or correctness, there was Phil Rizzuto. Rizzuto ably scoops up the essense of morality and ethics and fires to first with more deftness than Shakespeare, or that guy from Ireland (I can't remember his name--not Joyce, though; it was somebody else.) The poem we always relate and remember around the old campfire--when we go camping, and we have a fire, is the story Scooter tells in the honored oral tradition of Homer: of live-trapping squirrels in his attic and then letting them loose somewhere over by Yogi's house.

No doubt Rizzuto will forever be linked to the other great American Poets: Frost, Angelou, and Walden.

Some people are good at laying down sacrifice bunts, and some people are good at poetry. But nowadays so few people excel at both. Phil Rizzuto is that rare double-threat, and that's why this book is essential for anyone who likes bunts or poems.

My only complaint is that the editors have left out my all-time favorite Rizzuto moment, which was the time circa 1980 when Rizzuto and Frank Messer spent part of a day game discussing whether or not gorillas can swim. The answer proved elusive, but I have since learned that they can.

For me, nothing better epitomizes my age of baseball innocence than falling in love with the WPIX broadcasts of Phil Rizzuto, Frank Messer and Bill White during the late 1970s. This offbeat collection of the Scooter's unintentional poetry in his broadcasts is a graphic illustration of why Rizzuto was a true joy in the broadcast booth even if he wasn't a professional in the Mel Allen-Red Barber mold. I loved the format so much that I've actually reviewed the hundreds of old Yankee radio and telecast tapes in my collection searching for supplements to the collected verse of the Scooter and have found enough that could fill a sequel volume. Thanks to Seely and Pyer for this wonderful collection that no Yankee fan should be without.

Even though it's a short book, a little bit goes a long way with this kind of thing. Use in moderation.

Plus, I miss Bill White's good-natured chuckling.

Still, these "poems" are pretty good at bringing back long-gone hot summer nights.