The book of Joe : about a dog and his man
Vincent Price (Author), Leo Hershfield (Illustrator)
"In this merry and mellow book Vincent Price reveals that there is something else dear to his heart besides acting and art. In fact, The Book of Joe is, quite purely, an impassioned love story. For Vincent Price, it develops, loves dogs. More specifically, he loves dogs without pedigrees--dogs who know they are dogs. And in particular, he loves his dog Joe, a long-lived fellow whose dubious appearance is amply compensated for by his unique personality and incomparable common sense. Through the ups and downs of his master's life, Joe has been what good friends should be: diverting and devoted; sympathetic but silent. It should be added that throughout the trials and triumphs of Joe's often erratic life, Mr. Price has been an equally understanding companion and arbiter. There have been other pets in Mr. Price's orbit, including his wife's complement of poodles and a cat who turned out to be a frighteningly enthusiastic sailor. There have also been some stage, movie, and television experiences with animals which provide hilarious if not always happy anecdotes (a goat from Porgy and Bess probably witnessed the most physical damage, though an overly affectionate camel caused considerable emotional distress). But it's Joe who holds the spotlight and the hearthrug, as readers will readily understand when they meet this canny, capricious, courageous, concupiscent canine. Fittingly enough, the climax of the romance comes when Joe, as every dog should, has his day--and in court at that! Filled with amusing and touching incidents, this true personal story of a man and his dog will delight anyone who has ever succumbed to a tail that wags--or to a tale that charmingly blends wit and wisdom."--Book jacket flap
Print Book, English, 1961
First edition
Doubleday & Company, Inc., Garden City, N.Y., 1961