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Book Reviews of Enslaved by Ducks : How One Man Went from Head of the Household to Bottom of the Pecking Order

Enslaved by Ducks : How One Man Went from Head of the Household to Bottom of the Pecking Order
Enslaved by Ducks How One Man Went from Head of the Household to Bottom of the Pecking Order
Author: Bob Tarte
ISBN-13: 9781565123519
ISBN-10: 1565123514
Publication Date: 1/1/2003
Pages: 320
Rating:
  • Currently 3.4/5 Stars.
 24

3.4 stars, based on 24 ratings
Publisher: Algonquin Books
Book Type: Hardcover
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

11 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

LynniePennie avatar reviewed Enslaved by Ducks : How One Man Went from Head of the Household to Bottom of the Pecking Order on + 169 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 7
Enslaved by Ducks is the story of how the author Bob Tarte (a bonafide city slicker) gave in to his country girl wife, Linda when it came to getting a rabbit named Binky. Binky ends up being a terror on 4 legs for Bob. Bob ends up getting attached to Binky despite his relentless testing of Bob's temper. Bob ends up allowing Linda to expand their "herd". Pretty soon they have ducks, parrots and turkeys. Soon Bob realizes he's at the very bottom of the pecking order in his own home. He ends up sharing his dinner with parrots, nursing ducks back to health in his living room, building perches for turkeys and being used as a chew toy for a parrot.

I really enjoyed this book and I'm now reading the sequel to it called "Fowl Weather" by Bob Tarte.
runcysmom avatar reviewed Enslaved by Ducks : How One Man Went from Head of the Household to Bottom of the Pecking Order on + 163 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
This is by far one of the most entertaining books I have ever read. Anyone who loves animals will truly enjoy this book. You will laugh, cry, be angry and wonder at the patience of these amazing people who take in everything with feathers and fur. They care for them with love, kindness, tolerance for bad behavior for some ungrateful winged guests and just plain have fun with their critters. I loved this book and didn't want it to end. Fortunately, as we speak, the sequel, "Fowl Weather" is on its way to me for more laughter and enjoyment.
esjro avatar reviewed Enslaved by Ducks : How One Man Went from Head of the Household to Bottom of the Pecking Order on + 909 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
This is the story of how a man and his wife add a number of parrots, rabbits, ducks, geese, wild turkeys and starlings to their family. Fortunately the author is a freelance writer so apparently had enough time to care for all the animals. Many of the anecdotes are heart-warming, and will bring a smile to animal lovers. Other parts of the book are kind of depressing though, particularly those dealing with the author rather than focusing on the animals. He describes his experiences as his shrink tries to get his Zoloft dosage right, and I got the feeling that he and his wife should focus less on animals and more on each other. Still, this book is worth a read if you are interested in unusual pets.
CocoCee avatar reviewed Enslaved by Ducks : How One Man Went from Head of the Household to Bottom of the Pecking Order on + 404 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Very endearing! Bob Tarte's household grows slowly and earnestly with mammals and birds. They are all named and have different personalities. I love the author's wife, Linda, and her never-ending love of living creatures. There isn't much mention of her in the reviews but she is very much part of Bob Tarte's country living life. Worth the read.
kimeriksen avatar reviewed Enslaved by Ducks : How One Man Went from Head of the Household to Bottom of the Pecking Order on + 24 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
One of my all time favorite books. A book I will not ever trade! I usually steer clear of animal books because so often the endings are just too sad. This book however was heartwarming but not depressing. Many parts had me laughing out loud. After returning it to the library I decided I had to have a copy of my own so that I could share it with my husband and friends. Well written and a lot of fun to read!
reviewed Enslaved by Ducks : How One Man Went from Head of the Household to Bottom of the Pecking Order on + 15 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I was surprised that this book did not grab me as it did so many others. I found the constant "humor" more annoying than funny. I think that was only the author's style, though. The life he describes of being the reluctant caretaker to a menagerie of animal is indeed a funny one.
nightprose avatar reviewed Enslaved by Ducks : How One Man Went from Head of the Household to Bottom of the Pecking Order on + 112 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
"Enslaved by Ducks" immediately caught my attention with its title. However,
Bob Tarte draws you in from the first page and keeps you laughing and crying
throughout the entire book. His tales (tails) are both funny and heartwarming.
Sometimes you will find yourself laughing and crying, at the same time. Bob Tarte
and his pets remind us to live life to the fullest, and why we should, as well.

Reading his books is like listening to a friend. Be sure to read the sequel,"Fowl Weather", too!
Silvercat avatar reviewed Enslaved by Ducks : How One Man Went from Head of the Household to Bottom of the Pecking Order on
Helpful Score: 1
I could not get into this book.

When people make the decision to keep multiple animals and then basically grump about their lot in life as caretaker, I just have to shake my head. The humor was forced and silly.

After twenty pages, I put the book down - permanently.
reviewed Enslaved by Ducks : How One Man Went from Head of the Household to Bottom of the Pecking Order on + 3352 more book reviews
A guy who finds it hard to cope with modern life finds out that his well loved birds, while not any easier than a lot of other things, are just what he needs.
reviewed Enslaved by Ducks : How One Man Went from Head of the Household to Bottom of the Pecking Order on + 273 more book reviews
While I TRY to understand why some people let animals (or kids, or grandkids) rule their lives, I just can't grasp why anyone lets it happen to them. I'm not a selfish person, but geez, you have to say to this author, "Get a grip! Take your life back!" I had a dog while growing up, then several cats, and a kid, and now grandkids. Love them all, but wouldn't want any of them to take over my life like this poor man. The books was a little funny in the beginning, then I just got annoyed with his spineless character and I gave up. Hope the next reader enjoys it more than I did (not).
reviewed Enslaved by Ducks : How One Man Went from Head of the Household to Bottom of the Pecking Order on + 82 more book reviews
How one man went from head of the household to bottom of the pecking order!