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Eminent Dogs, Dangerous Men: Searching through Scotland for a Border Collie |  | Author: Donald McCaig
Publisher: The Lyons Press
Category: Book
List Price: $15.95
Buy New: $3.76
as of 11/7/2009 22:15 MST details
You Save: $12.19 (76%)
New (26) Used (15) from $3.76
Seller: dales_books_07
Rating:  13 reviews
Sales Rank: 396361
Media: Paperback
Pages: 240
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.6
Dimensions (in): 8.9 x 6 x 0.7
ISBN: 1599210592
Dewey Decimal Number: 636
EAN: 9781599210599
ASIN: 1599210592
Publication Date: July 1, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
The engaging account of the author's search for a trained border collie in Scotland, to bring back to his farm in Virginia. McCaig delves into the mysterious pact between dog and man, which involves trust and deep communication. Traveling from town to town, to competitions and farms, meeting shepherds and trainers, McCaig introduces us to unforgettable animal and human characters. |
| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 13
 Entertaining book for people who really like to read about dogs. October 11, 2009
Spaceapeman (Lynn, MA)
First, if like me you don't know anything about the world of herding trials then do a little research on the internet and get some basic info before reading this book. Wikipedia has a good entry for instance. McCaig explains how it works in the book but its kind of hard to grasp if you don't know anything about it.
What makes this book readable for anyone but border collie or herding aficionados is that McCaig is a proffesional writer. Otherwise it probably wouldn't keep the interest of the casual reader. Since McCaig is a very good writer and storyteller the book can appeal to a wider audience.
My favorite chapter in the book was the imagined conversation between James Hobb and the author in heaven. My least favorite part of the book is that McCaig seemed to pick up the habit of using Scottish words or terms himself, rather than just reporting how Scots talk. The word 'wee' sounds fine coming from a Scotsperson but kind of lame from an American.
My own dogs are just pets, but I do mightily enjoy reading about all types of working dogs. So you don't have to be a shepherd to enjoy this book.
If you really respect your dog... June 5, 2009
Terrence Walsh (Fairfax, VA United States)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
If you really respect your dog, you'll have done some serious homework before your dog ever came home. This is a story about a man who did not just do HOMEwork to find a working dog, he went to Scotland, to the roots of the Border Collie, to find the right dog. As he tells his traveling tale, we also get some history of shepherding, of sheep and dogs, and of the Scots who made the history we see today in movies.
The "right" dog isn't necessarily the ultimate "best" dog. The "right" dog is about chemistry, the needs of both parties, and the mutual satisfaction of those needs. "Relationship" is too pat. "Synergy," while apt, misses the art and mystery. Journey, companion, respect, dependence and regrets: those are good words for the "right" dog.
Plus, it's a good read. I've read "Eminent Dogs, Dangerous Men" twice in print and once on CD. McCaig is often lyrical. I'll happily read anything that has the power of song on a flat page of text.
Non Fiction McCaig April 29, 2008
Linda F. Kurtz (Ann Arbor, Mi United States)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Having read McCaig's other books, I found this one fascinating, but I agree that you might have to be a border collie enthusiast to really enjoy it. The trip through Scotland and finding Gael held my rapt attention. I agree with the Publisher's Weekly review, that McCaig should have stayed on the theme of his new dog and her subsequent life. He left me hanging on that one and I'm hoping there will be a sequel. Despite that, I loved the book anyway.
Another great book June 27, 2007
Michel Francois (East Lansing, Michigan)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
The only problem with his books are that they seem to read far too quickly. I find myself putting them down just to make them last. He knows how to pull you into a good story. "Nop's Trials" is a particularly great story. Unfortunately for me I stayed up all night with this one in hand until the very last page. Tired but glad to have read this one.
"Eminent Dogs, Dangerous Men" reads great but I'll lose no sleep from this one. A wonderful and captivating read. A real insiders perspective on working dogs and the sheepmen who work with them.
Great Read for People Who Shouldn't Get a Border Collie April 24, 2007
The Hobbit (Georgia)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This is a fascinating read for dog lovers.
I have occasionally had friends decide they wanted a Border Collie - friends I knew should not get a Border Collie. I give them this book and it does a great job of changing their minds. And it entertains them at the same time.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 13
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