Backyard Giants: The Passionate, Heartbreaking and Glorious Quest to Grow the Biggest Pumpkin Ever (Thorndike Press Large Print Nonfiction Series),   ISBN:9780786299508

Customer Rating: 

A great book for anyone interested in the hobby/sport/profession of giant pumpkin growing. As you read, not only is the history of giant growing revealed but methods used to go higher & higher in weight. With known grower champions as the primary subjects, its a book that will be referred to again & again.

Customer Rating: 

Wall Street Journal bureau chief Susan Warren follows one year in the life (weigh in to weigh in) of father and son pumpkin growing duo Dick and Ron Wallace in their (not insufficient) labors as they attempt to grow their local growers club, the hobby in general, and the worlds biggest pumpkin. While the book is primarily concerned with the particulars of Ron Wallace's 2006 season, it also touches on the history of the hobby, many of its major players, and how giant pumpkins have changed their lives.

While the pumpkins themselves are giant to the point of cartoonish-ness, the real marvel here is the level of dedication these people put into something that is almost soul grinding in its expense. Competitive pumpkin growers sacrifice staggering amounts of time, money, and even relationships on a few pieces of fruit that what will more likely then not end up a shattered, rotting, grizzly-bear sized pile of stink in their compost heap. They are constantly and painfully reminded of this, and yet even standing over the husks of their defeats they're busy figuring out how to do it better next time... right before heading out to use their new-found free time to help someone else with their patch.

This is a story of hope, competition, sharing, purpose, camaraderie, community, and yes, if you are paying any attention to the interplay between father Dick and son Ron, even love.

Customer Rating: 

Here you will find it unbelievable that some people have so much time on their hands to study this oddity of growing giant squashes. They take their passion of growing very seriously, much like that of a cross- eyed lovers. You can almost sympathize for the poor unsuspecting spouses, or losers of the weigh-in, in this case, who have to stand by and watch as pumpkin growers turn their love of gardening into an obsession to win at all costs, it's quite remarkable, almost obscene.

Customer Rating: 

I loved this book! I laughed, I cried, I cheered (well, not really-I was on a plane and didn't want to create a ruckus, but in my mind I was standing up and cheering!). This book offered a lot of interesting information-who knew pumpkins could grow up to 40 lbs. A DAY??-while following the attempts of various growers to reach the ultimate goal in giant pumpkin growing, a 1500 lb. pumpkin. Easy reading, informative, and a good conversation starter when you need to make small talk.

Customer Rating: 

I had a great time reading this book. I too grow pumpkins and had a hard time setting this book down. Easy to read and gives a real behind the scenes on this sport, showing that growers have lives outside of pumpkin growing as well. If you want to grow a giant pumpkin yourself this book won't give you much for information on that topic. It is meant for more the humanity side of things.