Just got this book in the mail, and I love it. I love it for a few reasons- partially because I love Paul 107's graff books. I love that it's available online for free, and I love the aesthetics of it. It's totally accessible for pit bull rookies, but it doesn't talk down. The book is also good for pit bull afficionados (aka not-rookies) unless you're a total snob and can't appreciate "cool" pit bull stuff. And in the middle of all the "coolness" of it, it's got good info- like, carry a breakstick, don't leave two bulldogs playing unattended, and consider adopting a dog. He talks about exercizing bullies with spring poles and treadmills, and about using kongs to make your dog work for his food. There were only 2 parts i didn't like: how to convince your mom to let you have a when she doesn't agree? Just bring the dog home anyway. I didn't like that part at all, obviously. The very end features a segment on "Gladiator Kennels," and while they appear to be doing pit bull breeding in a semi-reasonable fashion, I'm not finding any working titles on their dogs, either. I could have done with out the breeder promotion, basically.
Anyway, I think it's an awesome book to have out to start conversation about these dogs, with friends who "buy the hype." The intro states the authors hope to make this a yearly installment, and I hope so, too! I will definitely be keeping my eyes out for volume 2!
This is a beautiful coffee table book, if you like pictures that range from harmless to mildy disturbing to "uh, why'd he put that in there?" The interviews would be more powerful with commentary- as they are, I wouldn't recommend this book to a breed rookie who might come away with the idea that the breeding practices described are a-ok. For a serious breed fan or collector, it's worth having, athough probably not worth buying new.
This book took me forever to read, which is unusual, because I'm a fast and voracious reader. I think there was just an extraordinary amount of information in there, and the information was difficult to digest. But it was well worth it. I'm a George Packer fan from his New Yorker articles, but not all New Yorker authors produce good books. This one makes it. Great book to check out if you want to learn more about the war than from mainstream media, or want to remind yourself that there IS still a war in Iraq going on. Also timely with the upcoming election. Not great commute reading, as it is quite heavy, literally.
