The Banana Sculptor, the Purple Lady, and the All-Night Swimmer: Hobbies, Collecting, and Other Passionate Pursuits

This is indeed a book about people who are stranger than fiction. The author interviews people who have unusual hobbies and have gone over to the far side of hobby land. Nevertheless, they are happy and not locked up in an insane asylum. Each chapter is about a different individual. Some amazing stories... one man for example swims across the great lakes. Another reunites American and Japanese World War II veterans who fought against each other. The authors also talks about how they met the various people in the book and maps out the social network of friendships. Often very funny, weird, and amazing. After reading the book you'll start thinking of the people you know who would be perfect for the sequel or if you're really lucky, perhaps yourself.

I loved this book! It's a fascinating mix of "real life" stories of the passions of down-to-earth and "regular" people who have intriguing obsessions. Reading it is like joining a secret society or club or meeting a new group of wild friends whose lives are the richer for (as the Banana Sculptor himself puts it) the need "to dream."This book could be called "American Eccentrics" for its wonderful range of characters - from the tiddly wink competitor to the inveterate garage saler to the sculler and the skater and the card shark. The authors are the best kind of good listeners and interviewers - they stay out of the way and let the enthusiasts speak for themselves, about the magic of baking or bonsai and how the soul and spirit factor into swimming all night or collecting pre-cancelled stamps. A great one-of-a-kind summer/beach book, and a terrific anytime gift!