I didn't finish this book (borrowed from the library), but I read pretty much everything I had wanted to. I really wanted to hear his version of his life when he was younger. It was an interesting read, although I take what he says with a grain of salt. ( )

if you like the tv series, you should read this
By sally tarbox on 10 Jan. 2011
Format: Paperback
Having watched the tv show and gleaned little bits of info about Chapman's time in jail, familiarity with drugs etc, I wanted to find out more about his life.This book takes you from childhood to teenage tearaway, hanging out with a gang and getting jailed for a murder he didnt commit, on to a career selling vacuum cleaners and speaking at motivational seminars. Then falling to rock bottom after his mother's death when a girlfriend got him heavily into drugs, till he got together with Beth and fought his way back in the bail business. We read of him pursuing rapist Luster into Mexico, but getting jailed himself; his wedding and tv career. In between all this are his children and relationships, problems with the government and rival bondsmen making it difficult for him to work due to his murder conviction...Interesting read ( )

Could be worse, probably. ( )

There is a picture of Dog about midway through his book, a picture of Dog adorned in white, with his long flowing hair standing with his preacher Tim Storey on a canoe as he makes his way to meet Beth on their wedding day in 2006. This picture epitomizes Dog as I believe he see himself as a kind of avenging righteous angel or the reincarnation of Jesus..yep the myth as he would have us believe is certainly bigger than the man.

There is another chapter or should I say capture described in great detail, the ultimate bounty for Dog where to prove himself to the world as "The greatest ever Bounty Hunter" he must capture and bring to justice a man with a high price on his head...Andrew Luster. This makes for some exciting reading as our hero (for hero he must surely be) after months of frustration and false leads and hope finally makes the capture only to find himself held prisoner in a stinking Mexican jail. Dog has always believed that God (dog backwards....get it) has a clear vision and purpose in life for him and is with him everyday...every step of the way.."Until that moment, it hadn't really sunk in that I was now searching for one of the most wanted fugitives in America. It was time to put my money where my mouth was. I had a lot of stake. By joining the hunt for Luster, I was gambling on my future, my name, and my reputation. But I knew this was my chance to show the Lord I am worthy of His plan, His will. If this was the big one we'd been waiting for, the time had come".

I cannot help but love Dog! a man who see himself as a latter day Billy the Kid wrapped up with a little Wyatt Earp and a smidgen of the avenging preacher from Pale Rider!! Dog's life story is a hard knuckle ride from a harsh upbringing with a brutal father "Flash" through his many years of addiction to drugs, a prison sentence for complicity to murder, the many women who had the privilege of knowing him and being loved (albeit for a short time) and the resulting offspring. All through this adventure it would appear that a greater power than Dog (is there such a thing?) was guiding him on his life's mission and always ready to lift him from the depths of depression when the need arose "I turned my head to the sky and said "Lord , I know my mum is with you" And then I heard, "No Duane, she walks with you. Look straight out, my son. You will find what you are looking for." I cocked my head and stared straight out into the vast sea, wondering, hoping, praying, that the Lord was sending me a message about my mother"......

Please do not misunderstand me and do not take my flippancy as a lack of respect for Duane "Dog" Chapman I actually really enjoyed this book, Dog the man and Dog the TV series lives through every word in this fun and highly charged adventurous read. A story of a hard life but one filled with guts determination and hope and even though the author may suffer from a narcissistic personality disorder that does not stopping me loving the man and the myth...and in his own words.."My name is Duane Lee Chapman. My friends call me Dog - Dog the Bounty Hunter. For more than twenty-seven years , I have made a living hunting down more than seven thousand fugitives. I wear that honour as proudly as my shiny silver fugitive-recovery badge that hangs around my neck".... Dog you are the man...you are truly on heat!!..... ( )

I had not seen the show before I watched the book. Personally, I would not waste my time reading this book or watching his shows. Chapman details his life as a criminal, as well as a law enforcement officer. At least he was honest in saying that he frequently vascelated from drug addict to clean law abiding citizen. I could not identify with the main character and began sympathizing with his antagonists. The book is probably as sensational as the shows and his arrogance left him unbelievable and unlikeable.