Lad: A Dog (Paperback)

~ Albert Payson Terhune (Author), (Illustrator) "LADY WAS AS MUCH A PART OF LAD'S EVERYDAY HAPPINESS as the sunshine itself..." (more)
Key Phrases: thoroughbred collie, collie man, white forepaws, The Place, Wall Street Farmer, Gold Hat (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

First published in 1919, Albert Payson Terhune's Lad: A Dog is actually a collection of immensely popular magazine stories. The hero is an extraordinary collie named Lad, "a thoroughbred in spirit as well as in blood." In each tale, Lad exhibits his pure strength of character as he fights off burglars, rescues an invalid child from a poisonous snake, wins ribbons in dog shows, and otherwise leads a dog-hero's life. This is a period piece--a threatened puppy is described, for example, as "a blinking pygmy who gallantly essayed to growl defiance"--and that touch of fustian is all part of Terhune's enduring charm. Because the stories didn't originally appear together, there's considerable repetition: nearly every story with a fight scene has the same authorial mini-lecture on the difference in fighting technique between collies and bulldogs. But Lad is a character who has poked his muzzle into a million hearts, and new generations of dog lovers will also appreciate his loyalty and courage. As Terhune himself wrote, "few... bothered to praise the stories, themselves. But all of them praised Lad, which pleased me far better." (Ages 6 and older) --Richard Farr

Product Description

Before there was Lassie, there was Lad--a dog whose loyalty and courage set him apart. Since its original publication over 70 years ago, Terhune's classic has touched countless readers. Lad is based upon one of Terhune's many collies. Illustrated.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (July 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140364749
• ISBN-13: 978-0140364743
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (39 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #33,667 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book for Kids of All Ages, January 12, 2004

By	James Sadler (Plano, TX United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I generally hate clichés like "kids of all ages," but it just really suits this book. I first discovered Albert Payson Terhune and Lad in seventh grade, much to the chagrin of our school librarian. She had to eventually temporarily ban me from checking the book out any further so that other kids could read it. In those days I did not realize I was reading about a long dead author and the most famous of his dogs, nor did I realize that the stories actually were taking place in the early part of the 20th century.

None of that mattered to me then (or now for the matter). I was drawn into the world of Lad and Terhune every time I opened those pages. Eventually, I managed to read most of his works and came to truly admire Terhune's writing, even though I have since read that he considered himself to be a hack.

It's now many years later, and there is still magic in these books for me. I have several of the books waiting for the day my very young daughters (a two year old and a four year old) are ready to read books that don't have pictures on every page. In fact, I've got a backlog of books I want to share with them, but I'm willing to bet we start with Lad.

If your children have any interest in animals in general or dogs in particular, you must get this book, and all of Terhune's other works if you can find them, for your children. Sure, the language may be a lttile strange at times, but your child will still love this book all the same.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best dog book -- Those who have read it understand., May 14, 1999

By A Customer

The best dog book ever written. A simple but striking story of fidelity between a man and his dog. Originally a tribute to Lad and the many other dogs who shared Terhune's estate, it is now a tribute to the ethical reality of Lad's life.

You can still visit a portion of the Terhune estate in Wayne, New Jersey. The Place (house)is gone, but the grounds remain. You will see Lad's grave marker, along with the grave markers of many other dogs made famous in Terhune's books. You can visit the shore of the lake and stroll the grounds. You can feel Lad's eerie presence as he lives over and over again the stories from the pages of Terhune's books. Or perhaps he is still there. Look -- is that ...

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, Touching Work, February 24, 2000

By	Ned Gladstone (Denver, CO) - See all my reviews

Albert Payson Terhune was always quick to disparage the quality of his own writing. He considered himself a hack writer and his humility was deep and genuine.

Mr. Terhune, however, grossly underestimated himself. As "Lad: A Dog" shows, his genius was in his ability to make his readers care deeply about his subjects. "The Place" becomes your home, and Lad your beloved hero.

This book is not to be missed. It is thoroughly entertaining, and packed with selflessness and the purest of love.

"The Place", by the way, is now "Terhune Memorial Park", and is a wonderful place to visit, with the dogs' graves still intact there.