In Praise of Tomatoes: A Year in the Life of a Home Tomato Grower

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Summary: Inspiration for the novice tomato gardener
Review: I picked up this book because I've decided to grow tomatoes on my patio in Southern California. I figured that any advice I could glean from the Shepherd's years of growing tomatoes in San Diego would be helpful to me in Laguna Beach...what I didn't expect was the charming "day-in-the-life" subplot to the main tomato growing narrative of life in a working class, multi-cultural San Diego neighborhood. The simply told year-long narrative about of how growing tomatoes has brought Shepherd's neighbors together makes this a heart-warming and interesting book--not to mention all of the wonderful tomato lore that makes the book a gardener's delight.

Rating:
Summary: Inspiration for the novice tomato gardener
Review: I picked up this book because I've decided to grow tomatoes on my patio in Southern California. I figured that any advice I could glean from the Shepherd's years of growing tomatoes in San Diego would be helpful to me in Laguna Beach...what I didn't expect was the charming "day-in-the-life" subplot to the main tomato growing narrative of life in a working class, multi-cultural San Diego neighborhood. The simply told year-long narrative about of how growing tomatoes has brought Shepherd's neighbors together makes this a heart-warming and interesting book--not to mention all of the wonderful tomato lore that makes the book a gardener's delight.

Rating:
Summary: An unexpected gem...
Review: I was fully prepared to enjoy this book. I love travel and gardening memoirs and am an avid tomato (and rose) grower. But after reading three chapters, I tossed it. The author turns out to be a left-liberal who liberally (pun intended) sprinkles his text with snide and insulting remarks about Republicans. Note to the author: Conservatives garden too.

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Summary: A pleasant surprise. Not just about tomatoes, about life.
Review: This book is to tomatoes what "Trout Fishing in America" is to trout.I knew Richard Brautigan from Enrico's restaurant and bar in San Francisco in the 70s. I cherish his autographed inscription "to Richard from Richard" on my dog-eared copy of "The Tokyo-Montana Express".I look forward to meeting Steve Shepherd.He, too, is a keen observer of life. However, Shepherd sees the joys of life. He writes with a wry humor and a twinkle in his eye. You'll want to have his Italian-American neighbors over for dinner. You'll want to move to San Diego. You'll want to raise tomatoes. As an ex New Yorker and big fan of the New Jersey tomato, I found this book a joy to read. The title is great, too. "In praise of tomatoes." This book would make a great gift for anyone who has ever tried to grow anything, any place, at any time.

Rating:
Summary: A pleasant surprise. Not just about tomatoes, about life.
Review: This book is to tomatoes what "Trout Fishing in America" is to trout.I knew Richard Brautigan from Enrico's restaurant and bar in San Francisco in the 70s. I cherish his autographed inscription "to Richard from Richard" on my dog-eared copy of "The Tokyo-Montana Express".I look forward to meeting Steve Shepherd.He, too, is a keen observer of life. However, Shepherd sees the joys of life. He writes with a wry humor and a twinkle in his eye. You'll want to have his Italian-American neighbors over for dinner. You'll want to move to San Diego. You'll want to raise tomatoes. As an ex New Yorker and big fan of the New Jersey tomato, I found this book a joy to read. The title is great, too. "In praise of tomatoes." This book would make a great gift for anyone who has ever tried to grow anything, any place, at any time.

Rating:
Summary: Every season before starting my tomatoes I read this book!
Review: What a simple pleasure, a good book can bring to one's life. I dream of gardens... filled with flowers and tomatoes. I love this book so much that it is one of the few books I do not let my fellow gardening friends borrow -- I buy them their own copy. If you love, really love tomatoes read this book.