It's hard not to get caught up in this funny story. John Bevis tells a lot of tales this time of year when life slows down.
VOA: standard.2009.12.11
Those who like their fairy tales served up subversive -- or at the very least hip and self-referential like "Shrek" -- would do well to look elsewhere.
In the end Mr Erard is happy simply to meet interesting characters, tell fascinating tales and round up the research without trying to judge which is the best work.