Danger, man working Writing from the heart, the gut, and the poison ivy patch

Growing up in rural Wisconsin, Perry spent his youth shoveling out cow pens on his family farm, and a nose-to-the-grindstone work ethic stuck with him when he took the leap into making a living as a writer. His latest is a collection drawn from the past fifteen years of shovel time, with subjects varying from dog-sledding and autopsies to high cholesterol and cryonic suspension. Each essay is enjoyable in and of itself, but assembled as a body of work, they relay the appreciable effort it takes to become a writer, going to work as the work is offered. Self-described as lacking in thematic flow, Danger, Man Working may seem a somewhat random compilation, but throughout Perry tackles serious issues, like faith, parenting, and stereotypes, without losing his distinct, earnest voice. He has nothing to hide and is straightforward about the hard work it takes to do something well. And Perry continues to do it well, turning his every topic into a tale full of keen observation, humor, and sincerity.--Norstedt, Melissa Copyright 2017 Booklist