The Ghost of Scootertrash Past [Paperback]

Mark Tiger Edmonds (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 2003

Continuing where he left off in Longrider, Tiger Edmonds again mixes philosophy, travel, psychology, and politically incorrect political wit (wisdom? rants?) into a humorous and hearty hunter’s stew. And in this recounting, Tiger introduces his grandfather—"the marriage counselor," "the metaphysician," "the jockey," "the alchemist," "the teamster" (‘it’s an ill wind that blows your ass off the road,’)—as a counterpoint to Tiger’s own observations. The grandfather? Who can’t help loving a man who from his deathbed tells his grandson, "Hell, boy, I’m just dyin’. I ain’t goin’ to quit lovin’ you." The writer? Who can’t help but loving a writer who, despite curmudgeonly looks and attitude, gives this advice to young riders: "Don’t never cross the border holding. Neither one. Either direction. Clean your mirrors often. Don’t go where you ain’t been invited. Change your socks often. Carry extra light bulbs. Blow your nose often. Don’t climb on anything you can’t ride."

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Well, yeah, Mark Tiger Edmonds holds a doctorate from the University of Michigan. And he’s taught at Florida’s Saint Leo College long enough to have outlasted several surrounding orange groves. But his true love is riding a motorcycle, which he has done to the tune of well over a million miles. And his next true love is meeting people, just to see what in the world makes them tick or tock. You’ll see this to be true from the git-go in this book.

Product Details

• Paperback: 209 pages
• Publisher: Livingston Pr; 1st edition (January 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 193198204X
• ISBN-13: 978-1931982047
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,606,376 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A thoroughly attention engaging read, September 14, 2003

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Ghost of Scootertrash Past (Paperback)

The Ghost Of Scootertrash Past: Memories & Rants Of A Longrider is the personal testimony, stories, rants, and insights of Mark Tiger Edmonds, a motorcycling professor who cruises the road with a Scrabble game and Oreo cookies in his motorcycle's saddle bags. A flavorful, unique, and often surprising memoir of dirt roads, Zen and the art of motorcycle riding, the hazards of camping, and so much more, The Ghost Of Scootertrash Past is a thoroughly attention engaging read and recommended for motorcycle buffs and Americana enthusiasts.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Let's Review..., July 11, 2006

By 

MuscleDaddy (Denver, CO USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Ghost of Scootertrash Past (Paperback)

Now maybe I'm not the the best person for putting out an unbiased opinion on this book, seein' as how I actually make an appearance or two within the pages (I'm the one of those who picks & patches him & the bike up a couple of times - made it to Tennessee to pick him up in his truck in about 11 hours).

But I'm not tapping away here to write a review, but rather to clear some things up:

1) He really does talk like that - it's called vernacular - they're called colloquialisms - it's not "poseur misuse of grammar", it's legitimate misuse of grammar that he was more careful about in the first book - not knowing how poseur book critics would take it.

2) He really is a professor of English (at my alma mater) - the colloquialisms don't get in the way, as he doesn't use them while grading papers of inconsiderate, psycho, crapweasel children (though the fact that it gets straight under the skin of administrators is a bonus).

3) Such of his stories as I'm personally able to speak to (having known him for only 15 years) are the gods-honest truth - I've patched too much fiberglass for them to be anything else.



4) Forget what I said about being biased - it's a great book - go buy one for yourself and a couple for your friends right now.

....Go on, what are you still reading for? I mean it - right now!

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Armchair Rider Read, July 24, 2005

By 

Maximzodal (Houston, TX United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Ghost of Scootertrash Past (Paperback)

I read this book before reading Edmonds' first one, "Longrider". Both books are stories, vignettes, of his experiences putting more than a million miles on two wheels riding the US and Canada. While both books are enjoyable and the various stories engaging, I found "Ghost of Scootertrash Past" a better read with some caveats. I quickly became annoyed with his poser misuse of grammar. It just comes across as phony. The stories in "Longrider" were more disjointed but his voice more authentic. There is an art to story telling, and Edmonds does it well. Now I would like to try some of the roads/rides he describes.