Zip Zap: The True Story of a Dog and a Dream [Hardcover]

Mike Gaddis (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 30, 2006

On the heels of his highly-acclaimed novel Jenny Willow, Mike Gaddis reaches again into a half-century love affair with pointing dogs and upland birds to retrieve the true-life story of Zip Zap, his greatest English setter. Gaddis swore to be painfully selective in choosing the puppy that would accompany him as he pursued his dream of competing in horseback field trials. He knew the smallest female of the litter was special, but he didn't fully realize her potential until he let her loose in the field. Her lightning speed earned her the name Zip Zap, and she grew to be the most brilliant bird dog Gaddis ever owned. In this absorbing memoir, Gaddis celebrates the dog's indomitable spirit and tells the story of training and developing a superior pointer, from her first unrefined runs in the amateur puppy stakes to victorious performances in major championships. Evocatively told and set against the plantation quail hunting and field trialing legacy of the Old South, here is a rich, powerful memoir, certain to gain favor with anyone who has shared the destiny of a once-in-a-lifetime dog.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for Gaddis’ Jenny Willow: "A great story, detailed and moving with characters and places every bird hunter has known." -- The Checkcord

Praise for Gaddis’s Jenny Willow: " . . . a heartwarming, compassionate story . . . an endearing read." -- Publishers Weekly

About the Author

Mike Gaddis, author of award-winning novel Jenny Willow (1-58574-451-4), is associate publisher of Sporting Classics magazine. He lives in Creedmoor, North Carolina, with his wife, Loretta, sixteen setters, and three Boykin spaniels.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Stackpole Books (October 30, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811701964
• ISBN-13: 978-0811701969
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #855,737 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars zipzap, February 26, 2007

By 

Carroll G. Waltz - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Zip Zap: The True Story of a Dog and a Dream (Hardcover)

written very well.descriptive,i felt i was there with him at the trials.but it was not as heart felt as jenny willow.i read jenny willow cover to cover.i couldn't put it down.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars enjoyment, September 8, 2011

By 

mgmartin20 - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Zip Zap: The True Story of a Dog and a Dream (Hardcover)

I am a field trial person too and I love setters. I enjoyed this book from beginning to end. I recommend this book to anyone who loves trials, pointing dogs, etc. I have already loaned my book out to friends who are dying to read it.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Zip Zap: The True Story of a Dog and a Dream, September 7, 2011

By 

Texasturners - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Zip Zap: The True Story of a Dog and a Dream (Hardcover)

Mr. Gaddis does a masterful job of weaving a very colorful and true to life story about a litter of English setter puppies and all the potential and heartaches associated with raising them, training them, conditioning them and competing with them in an all out effort to win a championship among his amateur peers! It is a book I found very hard to put down once I picked it up and started reading it! Enjoy it and may God bless you with many wonderful days afield as you enjoy His creation behind a classy English setter!