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Inspiration for the novice tomato gardener I picked up this book because I've decided to grow tomatoes on my patio in Southern California. I figured that any advice I could glean from the Shepherd's years of growing tomatoes in San Diego would be helpful to me in Laguna Beach...what I didn't expect was the charming "day-in-the-life" subplot to the main tomato growing narrative of life in a working class, multi-cultural San Diego neighborhood. The simply told year-long narrative about of how growing tomatoes has brought Shepherd's neighbors together makes this a heart-warming and interesting book--not to mention all of the wonderful tomato lore that makes the book a gardener's delight. A pleasant surprise. Not just about tomatoes, about life. This book is to tomatoes what "Trout Fishing in America" is to trout.I knew Richard Brautigan from Enrico's restaurant and bar in San Francisco in the 70s. I cherish his autographed inscription "to Richard from Richard" on my dog-eared copy of "The Tokyo-Montana Express".I look forward to meeting Steve Shepherd.He, too, is a keen observer of life. However, Shepherd sees the joys of life. He writes with a wry humor and a twinkle in his eye. You'll want to have his Italian-American neighbors over for dinner. You'll want to move to San Diego. You'll want to raise tomatoes. As an ex New Yorker and big fan of the New Jersey tomato, I found this book a joy to read. The title is great, too. "In praise of tomatoes." This book would make a great gift for anyone who has ever tried to grow anything, any place, at any time. Gardening tips from the PC thought police. I was fully prepared to enjoy this book. I love travel and gardening memoirs and am an avid tomato (and rose) grower. But after reading three chapters, I tossed it. The author turns out to be a left-liberal who liberally (pun intended) sprinkles his text with snide and insulting remarks about Republicans. Note to the author: Conservatives garden too. Every season before starting my tomatoes I read this book! What a simple pleasure, a good book can bring to one's life. I dream of gardens... filled with flowers and tomatoes. I love this book so much that it is one of the few books I do not let my fellow gardening friends borrow -- I buy them their own copy. If you love, really love tomatoes read this book. An unexpected gem... More than a gardening reference, and more than a memoir, this book was enjoyable from beginning to end. Whether writing on tomatoes, family and friends, or life in general, the author's warmth and love of life shine through. I read it as slowly as I could, vowing all the while to stop a little more often and smell the tomatoes. See also:
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