Tucker's Monster - IBPA Benjamin Franklin Awards 2011 Winner

Tucker's Monster - a new novel by S. S. Wilson

 From Publishers Weekly

A rip-roaring portrait of a man with the money, recklessness, and tenacity to pursue his single-minded goal of discovering a live dinosaur in the year 1903 has young, mild-mannered scientist Gerard Whitney answering a job ad only to find himself working for wealthy eccentric Harold B. Tucker on his Oklahoma ranch. Most days, Whitney is free to work on his scientific classifications, but when Tucker receives reports of hauntings, monster sightings, or other unexplained activity, Whitney must accompany him on his investigations. Sparing no expense, Tucker, his helpers, and his vast collection of firearms travel to Louisiana, Vermont, and ultimately to Venezuela, and neither Whitney nor Jenny, the Cherokee woman who is Tucker's wife and dinosaur-hunting partner, can persuade him out of threatening and bullying locals and even devastating ecosystems in pursuit of his impossible quarry. That both Tucker's companions and the novel's readers are inclined to forgive the manipulative, volatile dinosaur hunter is a testament to the author's character-building. For all his gruffness and his power, Tucker is a man compelled by a tragically unrealizeable dream, and the pathos of his situation is clear. Tense action scenes, including a particularly memorable haunted house, keep the pace moving at a brisk clip. A heartfelt and well-realized tall tale. --This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Entertaining  for all ages! Adult & Young Adult.

Wilson has a long history of turning the familiar into the unexpected. Short Circuit side-stepped movie robot clichés to give us the unforgettable Johnny Five. Tremors was both an action film and a send-up of 1950's monster movies. His story and dialogue work on Land Before Time contributed to its becoming a multi-sequel family film franchise. With Tucker’s Monster,  Wilson not only tells a first-rate adventure tale, he subtly pokes fun at classic Hollywood horror films.

Tucker’s Monster soundly debunks the embedded misconception that  any book  a young adult will read must  feature only angst-ridden teenagers (or angst-ridden teenage vampires). With cantankerous middle-aged rancher Harry Tucker as his “star,” veteran screenwriter and director S. S. Wilson delivers a rollicking story with the same excitement and surprises that have thrilled audiences of his hit movies.
 

Synopsis

Tucker's Monster deliberately harks back to the style those classic adventure tales. Set in 1903, it chronicles the adventures of young zoologist Gerard Whitney when he is hired by wealthy, eccentric cattle rancher, Harold B Tucker. He is soon caught up in Tucker's true passion, searching the world for legendary creatures, with the ultimate goal of discovering a live dinosaur. As they embark on one wild and dangerous adventure after another, wide-eyed Whitney learns about werewolves, mummies, ghosts, and even meets a mad scientist. Whitney is sure Tucker will never succeed. But what they eventually discover exceeds both men’s wildest dreams — and nightmares.  On a more subtle level, Wilson also pokes ample fun at classic horror movie clichés.

While the prose is light-hearted and the action lively and sometimes tense, the novel also explores the darker side of Tucker’s obsession. Disappointed time and again in his lifelong goal, he becomes increasingly desperate, and his methods increasingly extreme. Unable to sway Tucker from this path, Whitney has sadly decided to quit his job when a major twist plunges them into an unexpected (and Hollywood sized) climax.    

• Click here to read an excerpt from Tucker's Monster.

Signed books available here in our store or you can order books at your favorite online retailers (Amazon - Barnes & Noble) or check your local bookstore for availability.  

• For more information, author appearance & interview requests or to request a review copy.  

• check out the calendar for upcoming book signing dates.

Fraidy Cats -  a new novel by S.S. Wilson

You’ve read Mary Shelley’s account (inaccurate).

You’ve seen Hollywood’s many versions (way inaccurate).

Now, at last, you can learn the truth!

Find out what really went wrong with Dr. Frankenstein’s famous experiment.  It’s all revealed in S. S. Wilson’s new, meticulously  researched exposé!

Fraidy Cats! 

Coming soon.

PEDAL TRACTORS DVD - VOLUME 1

JOHN DEERE - Open Grill A:  Small 60: Large 60: 620: 130: 10 - 3 Hole: 10 - 4 hole:  20: LGT: 30: 40: 50: Amt 600: 50 Industrial: JD Seats:

ALLIS CHALMERS - C: CA: D-14: D-17: 190 Bar Grill: 190XT: 200: 7080: 8070: Deutz Allis 7145: 9190:

*Plus a special section on pedal tractor trailers.

TOTAL RUNNING TIME VOLUME ONE - 88 minutes

To watch a clip from the dvd -     

Executive Producers - Stuart Deal  & Helen Deal - Written by - Stuart Deal & Michelle Deal

Produced & Directed by - Michelle Deal

© Copyright 1994, 2010 Real Deal Productions, Inc.  - All Rights Reserved

PEDAL TRACTORS DVD - VOLUME TWO    
 

INTERNATIONAL HARVESTER -  Small H Open Grill: Mid-Size H Open Grill: Mid-Size H Closed Grill, Low Post: Mid Size H Closed Grill High Post: Cast In Rear Hub M: Large M: 400: 450: 560: 806: 856: 1026: 1066: 1086: 5 Millionth: Cub Cadet:

TRACTALL -  Early Cast Aluminum: C: H with Loader:

CASE - VAC: VAC Reproduction: 400: 800: 30: 1070 Agri King: 90: 94: Case-IH: 7130: -  Plus a special section on pedal tractor parts.
 

TOTAL RUNNING TIME VOLUME TWO - 86 minutes

To watch a clip from the dvd -     

Executive Producers - Stuart Deal  & Helen Deal - Written by - Stuart Deal & Michelle Deal

Produced & Directed by - Michelle Deal

© Copyright 1994, 2010 Real Deal Productions, Inc.  -  All Rights Reserved

PEDAL TRACTORS DVD - VOLUME THREE 
 

FORD - 900: 901: 6000 Diesel: Commander 8000: TW-20: TW-5: 8630: 8730: Covered Wagon:
 

OLIVER - 88 Open Grill: 88 Closed Grill: Super 88: 880 Diesel: 1800 Checkerboard:1800: 1850: White: White 145:

MASSEY HARRIS - MASSEY FERGUSON - Small 44: large 44: 1100: 390: 398:

MINNEAPOLIS MOLINE - Tot Tractor: Shuttle Shift:

Plus many misc. pedal tractors: Kubota: Graham Bradley: Farmer Boy: Garton: Castelli:

TOTAL RUNNING TIME VOLUME THREE - 86 minutes

Executive Producers - Stuart Deal  & Helen Deal - Written by - Stuart Deal & Michelle Deal

Produced & Directed by - Michelle Deal

© Copyright 1994, 2010 Real Deal Productions, Inc. - All Rights Reserved

PEDAL TRACTOR DVDs reviews from the october 1995 Toy Farmer Magazine by Nancy Miller.

"Collectors who have purchased the video haver found that a viewer friendly format is clearly present reguarding any or all of the major pedal lines as well as some lesser known pedal types.  The three tapes present vital facts about rare and common tractors.  For collectors and dealers who have all kinds of tractors, the entire set is worthwhile.  Those who maintain loyalties to one tractor line may just want one tape. "

"Viewers will appreciate the disclaimer that starts each atpe.  It states because of casting variations, the producer'scant guarintee that everyone will agree with their descriptions. The disclaimer expresses the Deals' intent to further the hobby through friendly sharing and fun, not to document every fact about every ttractor."

"In the videos detailed descriptions of each tractor shown creates a marvelous educational tool.  Individual tractors are displayed on a turntable built by the Deals.  As the table spins a narrator discusses tractor variations while the camera shows every detail. He also notes the tractor's manufacturer and production dates.  In a ddition he indentifies tractors that are being reproduced.  This valuable information could help buyers avoid mistaking a reproduction for an original."

"Along with collectors, restoriation professionals will find the videos to be a helpful reference.  They contain explainations of correct decal placement and color schemes as well as other details peculiar to each tractor.  The presentation of the tractor from all angles enables the viewer to see more detail than other pedal references can give.  These painstaking decriptions enable all hobbists to recognize minute variations that help determine value."

"As an educational tool, Pedal Tractors is a really good deal."