Review by Booklist Review
In 456 BCE, guard dog Soter (savior in Greek) survived an onslaught of invaders, safeguarding the city of Corinth by alerting its sleeping soldiers. On September 12, 2001, search-and-rescue German shepherd Trakr located the final survivor to be wrenched from the rubble of the World Trade Center. Detailing these feats and more, from the time of dog domestication (almost 24,000 years ago) to today, MacLeod turns the lens on courageous canines and their groundbreaking contributions to world history. In eight breezy chapters, MacLeod chronologically introduces legendary poster pups, aptly infusing the text with valuable historical context. After centuries as China's most cherished breed, for example, the Pekingese all but vanished at the hands of the Communist party. On the other hand, Dorothy Harrison Eustis, Morris Frank, and Buddy (the first ever American seeing-eye dog) revolutionized rights for those with special needs, at a time when few existed. Bedecked with anecdotal sidebars, gripping data, and irresistible photos throughout as well as illuminating back matter (a time line, places to visit, and further reading) this rollicking resource is practically paw-fect.--Shemroske, Briana Copyright 2017 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 3-6-Opening with Seaman, the Newfoundland who accompanied Lewis and Clark on their adventures, and going on to cover the role of the Pekingese in China's Boxer Rebellion, the first guide dog in the United States, and more, this title chronicles the lives of a number of legendary canines throughout world history. The chapters are well organized and chock-full of photos and other design elements to keep readers' interest. The text is accessible and bursting with energy; readers will be captivated by tales of how these four-legged friends race sleds or sniff out bombs and other hazardous materials. VERDICT Sure to be a hit with dog lovers and kids looking for a dip into history.-April Sanders, Spring Hill College, Mobile, AL © Copyright 2017. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Dogs have played a role in human history for eons.MacLeod provides coverage on eight doggy themes arranged chronologically: Seaman, the Newfoundland that accompanied Lewis and Clark; Pekinese dogs' connection with Chinese royalty; dogs that served in World War I; Togo and Balto and their lifesaving trek across the Alaskan tundra with diphtheria antitoxin; the first American guide dog, Buddy; dogs that served in World War II; bomb-sniffing dogs, including Brandy, who found explosives on a jet in 1972; and search-and-rescue dogs, especially those that served on 9/11. A plethora of excellent photographs accompanies the engaging text. Unfortunately, a profusion of text boxes, sidebars, and other interruptions breaks up the stories. Page-sized featurettes on a yellow background headed "Dog Data" primarily focus on the history of dogs and their natural characteristics. Small pullouts entitled "Woof!" contain brief, miscellaneous tidbits that usually, but not always, relate to the topic at hand. The chapter on World War II dogs also includes: a section on modern war dogs; a Woof! on a border collie that scares birds away from a Michigan airport; boxes on both mythological Cerberus and a dog that defended a Persian city in 456 B.C.E.; and a World War I photo. Excellent information presented in a frustrating and distracting jumble. (Nonfiction. 9-12) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
