|
|
Books > Sport & Leisure > Humour
Author Paul Palmer first began idolizing highway patrolmen when he
was a boy living in Gila Bend, Arizona. As the patrolmen stopped by
to visit his father, Paul soon realized that these brave men were
true heroes. He had no idea then that one day he would work with
the same men he held in such high esteem. As he shares a
chronological glimpse into the life and career of an Arizona
patrolman, Paul begins with his first job in 1966 as a dispatcher
in Holbrook, Arizona, where he jokes his best view of the town was
in his rearview mirror. While providing amusing portrayals of the
men and women he worked with, Paul relies on slightly exaggerated
real-life experiences to depict the wonderful, wild, and wacky
people who made up the Arizona Highway Patrol. Paul shares his
experiences of the next 40 years, serving in both civilian and
sworn capacities and how he developed lasting friendships with the
heroes who put their lives on the line every day to ensure the
safety of others. The Arizona Highway Patrol as I Disremember It
provides an unforgettable look at the humorous side of law
enforcement through the eyes of one of its own.
This book is a collection of humorous topical essays chronicling
the best and worst of the American political landscape from
internationally published blogger Stephen Guy Hardin. Written from
the conservative viewpoint with a light dose of pathos and a heavy
dose of sarcasm, few politicians are spared and none are taken
prisoner.
Tales From the Pushin Off brings to life the era of the 1940's and
early 1950's--of what rural life was like for families and children
of that time. The stories portray the lives of a close-knit,
extended family and their children, during the times of the
Depression Era, WWII, food rationing, and life in a small town atop
a mountain, located in the Cumberland Mountains in Southern Middle
Tennessee. Most of the stories describe the deeds, misdeeds, and
escapades of the author and two of his first cousins, both of whom
grew up with him.
Sunday Business Post Book of the Year Blindboy Boatclub is one half
of the Rubberbandits, Ireland's foremost satirist and now the
talented author of a collection of brilliant short stories and
visual art. Published to critical acclaim, his first collection is
powered by big themes and even bigger ideas. There are stories
about a van fuelled by Cork people's accents, Tipperary's first
ISIS recruit, a sexually aggressive banshee and a fridge dragged
heroically through the streets of Limerick. The Gospel According to
Blindboy questions and challenges the complacencies and
contradictions at the heart of modern Ireland. Whip-smart,
provocative and animated by his unmistakable dark wit, it is one of
the most original collections of short stories to emerge in recent
years. 'Mad, wild, hysterical, and all completely under the
writer's control - this is a brilliant debut.' Kevin Barry 'There
is genius in this book, warped genius. Like you'd expect from a man
who for his day job wears a plastic bag on his head but something
beyond that too. Oddly in keeping with the tradition of great Irish
writers.' Russell Brand 'If you've ever witnessed (there's no other
word for it) a Rubberbandits video you'll be anxious (there's no
other word for it) to read this collection of short stories from
one of the originators. I hesitate to use the word author as the
experience is as close to reading a traditional short story as
being burnt by a blow torch. Essential, funny and disturbing.'
Danny Boyle 'One of Ireland's finest and most intelligent comic
minds delivers stories so blisteringly funny and sharp your fingers
might bleed. In language so delicious you can taste it, we're shown
holy and unholy Ireland: a land of lock-ins, nettle stings,
stone-mad Cork birds, gas cunts and Guiney's jeans. No one is safe
- we all have the unmerciful piss ripped out of us and there's no
escape from the emotional gut punches, expertly dealt.' Tara Flynn
'Demented, dishevelled and deeply surreal - Blindboy Boatclub's
book will shock and delight.' Irish Independent 'It's not for the
faint-hearted.' Joe.ie 'You won't be disappointed. It will take you
to places unexpected.' Ryan Tubridy
Somers Gillette is a narcissistic personality the likes of which
the world has yet to see. She comes unhinged at the worst times,
and seeks nothing but destruction in her path. Only a scorched
earth policy will suffice. In her way stand the husband and the
nanny, because society awaits her 'triumphant' return! Read in
horror/fascination/wonder as Somers gets in touch with her roots
and exacts holy war on what is 'in her way'...
Originally published in 1921, this book was written in an attempt
to, 'give the serious teacher and student the practical benefit of
the knowledge acquired during a lifetime's playing the violin,
including mechanical means and technical procedure as well as the
ideas and ideals of art'. Many of the earliest books, particularly
those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce
and increasingly expensive. Hesperides Press are republishing these
classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using
the original text and artwork. Contents Include: How I Studied the
Violin - How to Hold the Violin - How to Practise - Tone Production
- Hints on Bowing - Left hand Technique - Double Stops The Trill -
Ornaments - Harmonics - Nuance, The Soul of Interpretation - Style
- The Nerves and Violin Playing - The Violin Repertory of Yesterday
and To-Day - Practical Repertory Hints
While most people will never be charged with a serious crime,
either you or someone you know has appeared in a Municipal Court.
Municipal Court is usually a city court that handles traffic
tickets, lots of traffic tickets, and ordinance violations such as
accumulation of trash, and neighbor issues such as trespass and
barking dogs. Fines are imposed on the guilty. Those who work there
refer to it as "Muni Court."
This court should not be confused with the television courtroom
shows where two people ask a judge to resolve an issue that usually
requires payment of money to one or the other of the participants,
those are small claims courts. The patrons of Municipal Court are
ordinary citizens who usually appear without the benefit of an
attorney and provide their own defense in a forum with which they
are not familiar. A few do very well in their own defense. Most
simply want to get the matter behind them. But some provide a
fascinating display of human ingenuity, ineptness, self
rationalization and much unintended humor. Muni Court shares a few
of author Bluth's experiences as a muni court judge in two rural
communities.
Dear Mother is written as the memories of the author. By recounting
the unusual happenings of his early years we find ourselves
laughing at the behavior of this young man and wonder how did he
live through it? Then strangely enough, readers see themselves in
many similar situations. Dear Mother is completely fact as
outrageous as it may seem. This book will make you laugh out loud
and in the next chapter you will find your eyes watering. Dear
Mother is the type of book that you do not have to think about
while you are reading it. Just sit back and enjoy the author's
style of telling his life story.
This memoir is about a husband, father, doctor and friend. Jack
Bartels became a success in his life primarily because of his own
inner drive, but luck played a role at some critical crossroads. In
his later years many could compare Jack Bartels to the television
character "Archie Bunker," and most of those comparisons would have
been fair. To take him at face value, however, would be a mistake.
Jack was in many ways a study in contradictions. He was vocally
opinionated but still open-minded, confident yet at times very shy,
and brash but also deeply compassionate when people needed him
most. He never sought praise and accolades as so many others do,
and because of this his life is one worth remembering. Anyone from
a large family, or with a parent or relative from the "Geatest
Generation" can appreciate the life of Jack Bartels. A proud man
eventually humbled by age and illness, Jack's course unwittingly
highlighted the complex familial struggles of such end-of-life
occurences. The book is a journey about a man and his love of wife,
family and career, as well as the humorous and at times
dysfunctional state of one American family as they share in the
life of a truly extraordinary character.
A classmate recently remarked "That was so long ago I can't
remember if I ever had a childhood." Return to those thrilling days
of yesteryear - the 1950's - when the big entertainment was at the
State Theater, featuring "Ma and Pa Kettle" and "Francis the
Talking Mule." This is the true story of life in small town
America, one kid's experience of growing up in a large Irish
Catholic family of 10 kids with all the required ritualistic
Catholic ceremonies. Formal schooling started for this youngster
with a 3-year stretch in the joint at St. Aloysius Military
Academy, marching to the tune of some of the sweetest old ladies
dressed in black. Followed by those exciting days at St. Teresa's,
run by two of the toughest Sisters of Charity in the system, Sister
Mary Raphael, a.k.a. "Bucky Beaver," the principal, and her
sidekick, Sister Augustine, up against Woody and his fun loving
instigator pal. It is a fast moving and funny story of numerous
mishaps by a carefree fifty's kid. A kid who accidentally freezes
his spirited horse, "Shorty," gets canned as an altar boy after one
long week, becomes a young entrepreneur selling dirt. There are
stories about camping out, Boy Scouts, BB guns, Irish Nannies, Nuns
in charge, ringing the holy fire bell at St. Teresa's. Then there
is a description of what life was like before McDonald's. There is
never a dull moment. It's a childhood autobiography filled with
memorable surprises. Learn, as I did, everything you'll ever need
to know about f growing up from Woody, the street-smart Italian kid
that somehow knew how life really worked. Woody was a true "biker"
from the 4th grade on. Enjoy reliving the tranquil 1950's with
someone that still remembers beingthere.
|
You may like...
Still Life
Sarah Winman
Paperback
R364
Discovery Miles 3 640
|