Ghost Cat Reviews.
EDGEFIELD (SC) DAILY NEWS
Ghost Cats of the South; Lighthearted, appealing, and a local connection
A newly published book by Randy Russell, Ghost Cats of the South (John F. Blair, Publisher),
delivered everything promised and then some. The Chapter “Cat Shine”, which relates to Edgefield
shortly after the War Between the States, involves many well-known historical figures and even
includes a mention of the Town of Trenton.
Gedde Hahn, described as a rather “hating” person and a potter, found friendship in a grey
cat named “Lee” on his farm just north of Edgefield. Hahn, who served with Hampton’s Legion lost
his two brothers in the war and became even more “hateful” upon his return. According to the
book, his dislike of people included Edgefield’s famous Confederate General Martin Witherspoon
Gary. Gen. Gary, the book says, was a lawyer and Hahn believed, “Lawyers could live through
anything if someone else would die in their place.”
As Mr. Hahn’s jugs for illegal moonshine grew popular for “cookers”, mainly because his
half-gallon jugs were thicker and therefore allowed shiners to sell less shine for the same
amount of money, he came up with the idea of not only making the jugs, but the moonshine as
well. He cut off other “cookers” and his trademark “squeezen’s” left him in a very lucrative position.
Alas, his dear old friend “Lee” fell into a vat of the moonshine during the cooking process
and Hahn deemed it a proper cremation and the product was then known as Cat Shine with the
jugs marked with cat whiskers that would “meow” when they were opened. The mash from the
batch of shine was taken to Jakob Jaynes’ farm for slop for his hogs, which soon began to “meow”
as well.
The rumors of the meowing swine and whiskey jugs spread far and wide drawing a high roller
with the Southern Circus to arrive in Trenton requesting to hire a carriage to the Jaynes’ farm.
We are not going to spoil the whole chapter in this review; it would not do justice to Mr.
Russell’s account. You should read it for yourself.
In the book Randy Russell presents more than 20 original stories of cats who reach the
worlds of life and death. Each encounter comes from folklore, noted incidents of ghost cats,
and first-hand personal accounts.
It is haunting, lighthearted, spooky, and entertaining.
ST. AUGUSTINE (FLA) RECORD
Felines hold their own in ghost stories
by Anne Heymen
In keeping with the theme this week of new books, here's an interesting tail… er, tale.
It's titled "Ghost Cats of The South," by Randy Russell, and naturally when it comes to
ghosts of any kind, the oldest city can hold its own.
The St. Augustine story is titled "Rose Perfume," and it's the tale of a 17th century
cat which still haunts the grounds of Castillo de San Marcos, our great fortress.
It's also a very sad love story, a story of a tenacious cat and a brave doctor.
That's all I'll say about that. You've got to read the book to learn more.
The book jacket says that Russell, an "award-winning 'ghostlorist' readily admits to
"being flummoxed by cats."
As we all know and as Russell bravely puts into print (note: we hope, for his
sake, if a cat or two owns him the felines can't read) -- "Some cats will give you whisker
kisses or sit with you when you're sick. Others will invite you to rub them, then take a
swipe at you, claws out. Some might do any of the above, depending on which way the wind is blowing."
Boy does he know cats!
Around the southeast -- Kentucky, Virginia, North Carolina, Florida, Georgia, South
Carolina -- author Russell has recorded tales of the heroic accomplishments of those of the
feline persuasion.
Some of the intriguing names of the chapters include: "Chicken Soup Cat,"
"Eat-Your-Face Cat" and "College Cats." There are good ghost cats and bad ghost cats says
Russell, who presents ghost-lore programs around the southeast.
And dog lovers, don't fret! According to the book jacket, Russell and his wife,
Janet Barnett, are co-authors of three prior collections including, yes - "Ghost Dogs of the South."
“Ghost Cats of the South” is a hit already with actress Joanna Cassidy, star of
"Blade Runner" and "Six Feet Under." As she noted, after checking out an advance copy:
"The first thing that grabbed me was the cover. Something about the cats with their incredible
eyes made me have to have it. I just love Randy Russell's charming, insightful book,
as will anyone who shares in the joys of having pets."
To which I might add a personal note -- one doesn't "have a cat as a pet."
A cat has a person as a pet!
~
Barnes & Noble Reviews
A few reader reviews of Ghost Cats of the South have shown up at the Barnes & Noble website. Here they are.
"I wish I could give 6 stars .... A reviewer (blhll50@yahoo) 09/14/2008. I wish I could give 6
stars because this book is more than a collection of short stories, they are short stories that
read like screenplays. They will remind you, as they did me, of the old '60's TV series, THE
TWILIGHT ZONE centering on stories that involve a cat in some way. Some will stay with you, haunt
you, while others will make you think. This is a great book for anyone wanting the escape of good
short story writing."
"Face Eating Cat .... Mark, a book lover, 09/13/2008. I agree with the previous reviewer,
some of the stories are not for the faint of heart, but most are just good ghost stories with
cats as part of the story. I also agree that this book is for anyone over the age of 12 that
is looking for well written, thought provoking stories that make your spine tingle as you read them."
"Great Ghost Stories! A reviewer, a jr.hi teacher, 09/11/2008. The stories in Ghost Cats of the
South live up to the title's name, some are sweet gentle stories of Southern kitties, but be warned,
some will scare the socks off you! This is a great book for anyone over the age of 12!"
Ghost Cat Reviews.
EDGEFIELD (SC) DAILY NEWS
Ghost Cats of the South; Lighthearted, appealing, and a local connection
A newly published book by Randy Russell, Ghost Cats of the South (John F. Blair, Publisher), delivered everything promised and then some. The Chapter “Cat Shine”, which relates to Edgefield shortly after the War Between the States, involves many well-known historical figures and even includes a mention of the Town of Trenton.
Gedde Hahn, described as a rather “hating” person and a potter, found friendship in a grey cat named “Lee” on his farm just north of Edgefield. Hahn, who served with Hampton’s Legion lost his two brothers in the war and became even more “hateful” upon his return. According to the book, his dislike of people included Edgefield’s famous Confederate General Martin Witherspoon Gary. Gen. Gary, the book says, was a lawyer and Hahn believed, “Lawyers could live through anything if someone else would die in their place.”
As Mr. Hahn’s jugs for illegal moonshine grew popular for “cookers”, mainly because his half-gallon jugs were thicker and therefore allowed shiners to sell less shine for the same amount of money, he came up with the idea of not only making the jugs, but the moonshine as well. He cut off other “cookers” and his trademark “squeezen’s” left him in a very lucrative position.
Alas, his dear old friend “Lee” fell into a vat of the moonshine during the cooking process and Hahn deemed it a proper cremation and the product was then known as Cat Shine with the jugs marked with cat whiskers that would “meow” when they were opened. The mash from the batch of shine was taken to Jakob Jaynes’ farm for slop for his hogs, which soon began to “meow” as well.
The rumors of the meowing swine and whiskey jugs spread far and wide drawing a high roller with the Southern Circus to arrive in Trenton requesting to hire a carriage to the Jaynes’ farm.
We are not going to spoil the whole chapter in this review; it would not do justice to Mr. Russell’s account. You should read it for yourself.
In the book Randy Russell presents more than 20 original stories of cats who reach the worlds of life and death. Each encounter comes from folklore, noted incidents of ghost cats, and first-hand personal accounts.
It is haunting, lighthearted, spooky, and entertaining.
ST. AUGUSTINE (FLA) RECORD
Felines hold their own in ghost stories
by Anne Heymen
In keeping with the theme this week of new books, here's an interesting tail… er, tale. It's titled "Ghost Cats of The South," by Randy Russell, and naturally when it comes to ghosts of any kind, the oldest city can hold its own.
The St. Augustine story is titled "Rose Perfume," and it's the tale of a 17th century cat which still haunts the grounds of Castillo de San Marcos, our great fortress.
It's also a very sad love story, a story of a tenacious cat and a brave doctor. That's all I'll say about that. You've got to read the book to learn more. The book jacket says that Russell, an "award-winning 'ghostlorist' readily admits to "being flummoxed by cats."
As we all know and as Russell bravely puts into print (note: we hope, for his sake, if a cat or two owns him the felines can't read) -- "Some cats will give you whisker kisses or sit with you when you're sick. Others will invite you to rub them, then take a swipe at you, claws out. Some might do any of the above, depending on which way the wind is blowing."
Boy does he know cats!
Around the southeast -- Kentucky, Virginia, North Carolina, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina -- author Russell has recorded tales of the heroic accomplishments of those of the feline persuasion.
Some of the intriguing names of the chapters include: "Chicken Soup Cat," "Eat-Your-Face Cat" and "College Cats." There are good ghost cats and bad ghost cats says Russell, who presents ghost-lore programs around the southeast.
And dog lovers, don't fret! According to the book jacket, Russell and his wife, Janet Barnett, are co-authors of three prior collections including, yes - "Ghost Dogs of the South."
“Ghost Cats of the South” is a hit already with actress Joanna Cassidy, star of "Blade Runner" and "Six Feet Under." As she noted, after checking out an advance copy: "The first thing that grabbed me was the cover. Something about the cats with their incredible eyes made me have to have it. I just love Randy Russell's charming, insightful book, as will anyone who shares in the joys of having pets."
To which I might add a personal note -- one doesn't "have a cat as a pet." A cat has a person as a pet!
~
Barnes & Noble Reviews
A few reader reviews of Ghost Cats of the South have shown up at the Barnes & Noble website. Here they are.
"I wish I could give 6 stars .... A reviewer (blhll50@yahoo) 09/14/2008. I wish I could give 6 stars because this book is more than a collection of short stories, they are short stories that read like screenplays. They will remind you, as they did me, of the old '60's TV series, THE TWILIGHT ZONE centering on stories that involve a cat in some way. Some will stay with you, haunt you, while others will make you think. This is a great book for anyone wanting the escape of good short story writing."
"Face Eating Cat .... Mark, a book lover, 09/13/2008. I agree with the previous reviewer, some of the stories are not for the faint of heart, but most are just good ghost stories with cats as part of the story. I also agree that this book is for anyone over the age of 12 that is looking for well written, thought provoking stories that make your spine tingle as you read them."
"Great Ghost Stories! A reviewer, a jr.hi teacher, 09/11/2008. The stories in Ghost Cats of the South live up to the title's name, some are sweet gentle stories of Southern kitties, but be warned, some will scare the socks off you! This is a great book for anyone over the age of 12!"