Chip Off the Old Black

Arthur Black's voice is unmistakable on the radio and on the page. His is the voice of reason, with a generous helping of funny; the voice that scolds us for our universal human quirks, but who says it with the tone and words that make us laugh out loud at ourselves and our neighbours. This is Black's latest collection of stories which will knock a sense of humour into any reader, boasting nearly a hundred tales featuring everything from yarnbombing to Bambi, from Black's love of the Farmer's Almanac to his loathing of snowmobiles and his ...problem ...with David Suzuki. With a talent for ranting, minus the malice, Black sticks up for the chocolate-covered marshmallow confection of New Zealand - the politically-incorrect 'Eskimo' candies. Those inclined to kvetching - a Yiddish word describing the tendency to complain persistently about everything - may just reconsider after reading this book. After all, as Black demonstrates, it's far more enjoyable to take the opportunity to laugh.