I loved Perry's [b:Population: 485: Meeting Your Neighbors One Siren at a Time|409287|Population 485 Meeting Your Neighbors One Siren at a Time|Michael Perry|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1174506098s/409287.jpg|221161] and was ambivalent about [b:Coop: A Year of Poultry, Pigs, and Parenting|5633583|Coop A Year of Poultry, Pigs, and Parenting|Michael Perry|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1347340530s/5633583.jpg|5805003] through failings all my own. This book, as much memoir as biography, was a shimmering jewel of keen observation and reverence for humanity. There were numerous passages that brought tears to my eyes. Tom reminded me of the few codgers who walked through my youth fixing fences, hauling rocks out of fields, and generally making impossible things from the materials they had on hand. Perry's willingness to lay himself bare in so many particulars is a beautiful thing, and one I honor. His tendency to maudlin middle-aged sentimentality is one I recognize and struggle with. A lovely book. Highly recommended.