Giant George

January 30, 2012
What seems like a gimmicky idea for a book—life with the world’s tallest dog (with a Guinness Book of World Records certificate to prove it)—turns out to be an engaging, humorous read. “Giant” George begins life, paradoxically, as the runt of the litter, a Great Dane selected somewhat haphazardly by Nasser and his wife, Christie. George’s breeder tries to impart some words of caution—“the parents are real big,” she says. Soon George is wreaking havoc in the Nasser home, outgrowing the “the biggest dog crate available on the market” (the “Colossus”) and eventually requiring his own queen-sized bed to sleep on. Fully grown, he weighs 245 pounds. But rather than the rambles of an obsessed owner, the book is a well-plotted and compelling story, which takes us into the Nasser family dynamic: when Dave and Christie start trying for a baby, they encounter heartbreak. Startlingly honest and well-written, Giant George’s story stands apart from the slew of other dog books on the shelves.

November 15, 2011

He may not be Rin Tin Tin, but George has one enormous claim to fame: at nearly five feet tall, seven feet long, and 245 pounds, this Great Dane holds the Guinness World Record not simply for Tallest Living Dog but Tallest Dog Ever. With Oprah appearances, 75,000 Facebook fans, and over 2.6 million hits on his YouTube videos, George is big on followers, too. And he's a sweetheart. Buy for all those dog fans--we're legion.

Copyright 2011 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from March 1, 2012
Discovering that he could bribe his new wife to move to Tucson if he bought her a puppy, Nasser and his wife decided on a large dog. They found a litter of Great Danes on the Internet and chose the runt of the litter, a trembling ball of blue peach fuzz with four comically large paws. Then he began to grow, from 17 pounds to more than 70 pounds at five months old. Their veterinarian said he was the biggest Dane puppy he'd ever seen. But poor George was still a puppytoo big for the puppy dog park and too insecure for the adult-dog sideand he was still growing. No food item was safe from a dog that could reach the counter or into the sink without any problem. When George topped the scales at 245 pounds, it became obvious that they might have a world-class, Guinness-record-breaking dog. The sequence of verifying George as the world's tallest dog is fraught with amusement and back-biting, and through it all, George kept his sweet disposition and gentle nature.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2012, American Library Association.)

March 15, 2012

Nasser, with Barrett-Lee (Straight on Till Morning), shares his family's story in this biography of Giant George (GG), the Great Dane that earned the Guinness Book of World Records's nod for world's tallest dog. Candid reminiscences about potty habits, food, beds, and dog parks reveal the frustrations and challenges of living with a large-breed dog. Color family photos document GG's growth and the joy he brings to his friends and fans. The creation of GG's social media presence, his world record citation, and the fame that followed make up the second half of the book. VERDICT Tales of GG and his travels entertain, though dog lovers may wish for more on GG's antics growing up than the family's struggles. Specific details that could help readers considering Great Dane pet ownership are lacking; consider a resource like Joe Stahlkuppe's Great Danes: A Complete Pet Owner's Manual. Great Dane lovers interested in learning about multidog households may also enjoy Dan Dye and Mark Beckloff's Amazing Gracie: A Dog's Tale.--Kristine Alpi, Raleigh, NC

Copyright 2012 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.