A work of humorous fiction in which a super-intelligent collie, that understands both Russian and English, is hired by a U.S. military language institute in California as a Russian teacher, then gets promoted through the system, and ends up "top dog," in charge of the institute, and proceeds to carry out "canine-friendly" changes. The two underlying themes in the book are a satirical view of the Civil Service and military, and the relationship and communication between humans and dogs.
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"A remarkably witty spoof on life in the Civil Service...written by an insider with long experience working there." -- Christine Campbell, DLI administrator, Monterey, California
"Good satire...an engaging story of a most remarkable collie....Be prepared to chuckle from start to finish." -- Reuben Pearson, The Book Tree, Monterey, California
"The author has a very good understanding of the mentality and behavior of our four-legged canine friends." -- Regina Todd, Monterey, California
"Good satire...an engaging story of a most remarkable collie....Be prepared to chuckle from start to finish." -- Reuben Pearson, The Book Tree, Monterey, California
"The author has a very good understanding of the mentality and behavior of our four-legged canine friends." -- Regina Todd, Monterey, California
About the Author
A native of Oklahoma, the author grew up in New Orleans, Louisiana, studied languages, was a Russian linguist in the Army, received a Ph.D. in Arabic and Near East Studies from the U. of Michigan, and worked at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, California till retirement as a Russian and Arabic instructor. He is also the author of "Let's Read the Arabic Newspapers," a newspaper reader for advanced students of Arabic.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
You will NOT read another book like this.,
By "mvreader" (Mountain View, CA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Barking Her Way to the Top : A Collie Pursues a Career in the Civil Service (Paperback)
Rarely do you get as strong a feeling of an author so delighted as he wrote, positively grinning ear to ear. Refreshingly un-PC at times, Howard Rowland takes you on a quirky and surreal ride that unleashes an insider's contempt of government bureaucracy, as well as the depth of his love for the canine and linguistic worlds.I'd highly recommend this tour de force, I enjoyed it immensely.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Man Hypes Dog,
By A Customer
This review is from: Barking Her Way to the Top : A Collie Pursues a Career in the Civil Service (Paperback)
Anyone who loves animals and scorns bureaucracy will find "Barking Her Way to the Top" a treat. Our heroine, Kukushka, is a beautiful female collie with an unusual ambition, and the talent to realize it. Together with her master (?) and co-conspirator, one Roger Pyle, Ph.D., she sets out to be more than "just a house dog," and in the process turns a Government institute on its ear. That this institute lurches between political correctness and ingrained devotion to regulations, makes it ripe for the machinations of this dynamic duo. Dr. Pyle is a seemingly "normal" academic, and polyfluent (no kidding) linguist. His deceptive charm masks a truly Machiavellian cunning and inventiveness. When danger to his canine beauty turns her professor protector into a beast, he morphs into a slavering fanged avenger! Here the plot becomes thick with psychological, and even supernatural complications. A multinational cast of characters careens through these wittily illustrated pages, provoking grins and groans by turns. Most of all, this book--despite its surface risibility--shows to what lengths a man will go to honor his beloved animal companion.
4.0 out of 5 stars
IndieReader Review,
This review is from: Barking Her Way to the Top : A Collie Pursues a Career in the Civil Service (Paperback)
Roger Pyle's s six-year old collie, Kukushka, is not an ordinary pet, as she is able to be understood by her master. The often irreverent dog demands that Pyle get her a job in the civil service.This humorous and creative story keeps you turning the page, wondering what will happen next. Although the story does get a bit absurd at times, you rarely get the sense that the author, Howard Rowland, is trying too hard. Everything in the story is crafted seamlessly and nothing ever seems to come out of left field. All in all, this is a great little book that anyone with an open mind and a sense of humor should check out. Reviewed by Carrie Cantor
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