Good Dog

November 3, 2014
Editor in chief of Garden & Gun DiBenedetto shepherds this heartwarming collection of over 50 essays culled from the magazine column that celebrates canines in all their glory. Given the Garden & Gun's editorial focus, it's expected that there are so many outdoorsmen extolling the virtues of their hunting dogs. The collection is mostly light and reverential but the selection verges on redundancy. Luckily, essays such as Roy Blount's charming piece on why he shouldn't have a dog, Bronwen Dickey's impassioned defense of the much-maligned pit bull, and Beth Macy's account of kidnapping her neighbor's dog, Scooter, provide much-needed variety. Best consumed in small doses, this lighthearted read will even please the diehard cat-lovers among us.

November 1, 2014

This is a collection of true stories from the Charleston, SC-based Garden & Gun magazine's column of the same name. The entries are penned by a variety of well-known authors such as Roy Blount Jr., C.J. Chivers, Rick Bass, Rick Bragg, and P.J. O'Rourke, as well as less well-known writers from a variety of occupations, including a chef, a musician, and a game warden. Edited by G & G editor in chief and dog owner DiBenedetto (editor, The Southerner's Handbook), the pieces run the gamut from heart-wrenching to hilarious and are presented in five thematic chapters. For instance, the first section, "The Troublemakers," relates the antics of Spot, an escape artist, and Muffin, an otherwise useless mutt who saves the day for his family--exactly once. Other topics are: working dogs; "Man's Best Friend"; "Family Ties"; and "Life Lessons." Overall, this is a wonderful compilation of well-written short narratives covering all aspects of life with dogs. VERDICT This anthology will appeal to dog owners and enthusiasts as well as those who enjoy Southern culture writing.--Lisa Ennis, Alabama Coll. of Osteopathic Medicine, Dothan

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