Customer Reviews

Bully: The Pits

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I ordered this as a gift for my husband as we work with a pit bull rescue organization and own two of our own. I was hoping it would be a great collection of photos, artwork, and stories. And while there are some fantastic images in there (especially the historical ones), there were several questionable sections. The interview with a dogman was the deciding factor in returning the book. Quoted question: "Do you believe dogfighting is cruelty to animals?" Quoted answer " Not when it involves pit bulls, no." There was no blatant rebuttal of this statement and I just can't imagine why, in a book about celebrating the breed, a statement like that would be allowed.

Actually, I wrote a review of this book some

time ago, but it did not appear for some reason.

I hope it's not too late to try again.

This is an art book on the dog which I can

only describe as Plato's dog, because

of its dogginess. This dog

represents for me the essence of dog. The

Staffordshire, or Bull Terrier, or Am Staff,

or Pit Bull, is not like any other dog. Unlike

the German Shephard for example, and many dogs

which seem to be related to the Wolf, and

the Husky -- with their behaviour being very

close to their instincts, the

Staffy seems to have developed human virtues

over the centuries of social evolution:

Courage, altruism, loyalty, fairness, intelligence,

self-sacrifice, curiousity, a sense of

humour and play, and passion.

This book "Bully: It's the Pits" is a work

of appreciation for-- if not the underdog,

the timeless Uberdog.

The photographs capture the spirit of the

animal in its many moods and activities.

The unique "pit bull smile" has caught the attention

of the photographers and the superb paintings

of Eric Bailey (whose work reminds me of some

American satirical painters).

Some of the cultural associations, myths, and

prejudices about staffies are also covered

in diverse chapters. A very good, short

inteview with Diane Jessup who is the breed's

foremost expert is featured. Dedication

to the dog's practical needs, such as Joseph's

beautiful leather colar work is described.

The humour and the trajedy of the breed's history

is lovingly put together in a collage of photographs,

poetry, cartoons, information, art, and beautiful

photography. It is a delight to read and to

look at.

The contributors are: (Paul Labonte, Marco Cibola, Jean

Labourdette, Ted Power, Silvio Magaglio, Marie

Rose Mourou, Eric Bailey, Diane Jessup, Matt Ferguson,

Pen One, Kid Koala, Francois "Tchug" Leandre, Willo,

Chris Wellaard, Benny Tour, Pat Hamou, Drew Allan, Marcos

Chin, Dave Delaney, Shadow Kennels, Fleur Hardy,

Rare Species (Claudio & Justin) Scott Clyke, Pound

Magazine, KAS Shane & Pat and family at Gladiator Kennels,

Chino/BYI, KR, Squibs Mercier, Andrew Pommier, Shawn Morrison,

Olive Van Roost, Rachel Granofsky, Rebel/SC, MPC Gagnon,

Jack David, Thau Weva, Glife.ca, the statt at ECW,

etc."

Congratulations!

Squiggles

In one of the interviews in this book, the person is asked if dog fighting is animal cruelty, he answers NO!! That one statement ruins the book for me. This book only serves to perpetuate how the general public sees pit bulls!

Paul 107 presents the bulldog breeds fantastically. He does so with intelligence and facts without glossing over the breeds history. There are plenty of full color photographs and illustrations to accompany the entertaining commentary. I love the "coffe table book" style of this book.....I also love that it covers ALL of the bull breeds and focuses on them as pets in RESPONSIBLE homes. Yes, some of the images are "street" with logging chains around the dog's necks, but the context of the book is such that you learn to respect this noble breed and appreciate the interviews with various bulldog people. I highly reccommend this book for the bully collector. It's not your typical "table of contents", "housebreaking", "how to train your dog" book, rather it is a compilation of many different types and styles of writing, including poems, art, interviews, etc, as well as information on where to get quality bulldog items. A great read!

this is an amazing book that focuses on many subjects concerning this very misunderstood breed of dog.

This book incorporates great photograhy, art and design, without compromising amazing interviews, and articles.

i stronly recommend this book to anyone who might want to get a bit more info on the dogs, all while getting information on the culture surrounding the bully breeds.

as for the 1 star review below, i highly doubt this woman cheked out the book, let alone read the interview shes talking about.

great read..

As a Pit Bull lover and owner I am always on the lookout for new Pit Bull related media. This is a good, objective book, and it looks at every side of the issue. I am FIRMLY against fighting dogs, and I believe that 90% of the dogs bred yearly should not be bred, so I cannot read unbiasedly what the breeder and fighter in the book have to say. I don't think any dogfighter should have a voice, and I am always quite disappointed when I hear of veterinarians breeding dogs.

Please remember to spay and neuter, millions of dogs are put down every year in the United States because there are not enough homes.

The quality of information supplied in this book is exceptional. The design is structured and visually pleasing and well organized. Excellence! Pure excellence!

My uncle got me Bully for my birthday. It is a good book, I learned a lot. I have read it 3 times now. My mom won't let me get a dog, but if I could I would get a pitbull.

A continuation of PAUL 107's graphically charged enquiries focused upon the myriad of underdogs in society, BULLY presents us with a novel examination of the pitbull's depreciating stock. BULLY exposes the anti-pitbull agenda as an intellectually lazy practice, stemming from a misunderstanding of the phenomena. PAUL 107 succeeds yet again in bringing us a work of art which is as captivating aesthetically as it is intellectually. Whether you're highbrow, lowbrow or a line blurrer, check it out.

Its got good pictures of Pit Bulls and Staffies, movie ideas and good interviews and nice art.