You know that small, faded town you pass through on your way to Somewhere Else? These are the folks who live there. Having grown up in New Auburn, Wisconsin, but moving away to make his way in the world, writer Michael Perry returns home some years later and joins the local fire department as a way of reconnecting with his community. In the book he alternates between relating his experiences as a small-town volunteer firefighter and first-responder and giving fleeting glimpses into the lives and personalities of some of his teammates and fellow residents. The detailed emergency calls were fun to read about, but more than once I made the mistake of reading while having lunch! I generally don’t pick up many non-fiction books, but I read this as part of the "Eden Prairie Reads" community program (www.epreads.org).

posted Oct 5, 2006 at 10:21AM

I really enjoyed this book. I originally picked it up as ZI recognized the name of the small WI town that Mike Perry writes about. It wasn’t necessary to know the town or anything about firefighting as the authors insights and stories were worth very entertaining and thought provoking. If you are a small town person or a firefighter you will enjoy it all the more. After I read a few lines to my hubby, he decided to read it and enjoyed it as much as I did.

posted Apr 16, 2007 at 9:12AM

I’m totally amazed at this author and what he has accomplished. He’s a 1987 University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire nursing graduate and has written an utterly fascinating book about small town, New Auburn, its volunteer fire dept. and its cast of characters. Where he comes up with his excellent vocabulary, I’ll never know. He certainly taught me a word or two. . . or maybe a few hundred! Check out his website and blog at www.sneezingcow.com . . . it’s a hoot.

posted Jul 18, 2007 at 10:55AM

The 2006 Eden Prairie Reads Selection.

posted Nov 9, 2008 at 10:00AM

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