Goat Song : My Island Angora Goat Farm

by Susan Clark Basquin

Starting with one billy goat, 20 does, and a book about goats, author Susan Basquin began her foray into goat farming on Washington Island in Lake Michigan. Her herd grew to 100, and she found reserves of strength and determination to pull her through all sorts of dilemmas and near-disasters.

276 pages, Paperback

First published September 15, 2000

Reviews

[Ellen Bell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, primarily (I think) because my family just vacationed in Door County, Wisconsin this past summer and we visited Washington Island for a day while we were there. That, coupled with my fascination with farm animals, and especially goats, made this a logical reading choice for me. I found the author's descriptions of the island, its weather, and its inhabitants to be purely enjoyable and interesting. At times, I felt frustrated with her lack of confidence in her own abilities, and ironically, at the same time, humbled by her courage in writing so honestly and unabashedly about her true feelings of inadequacy. I did find her ongoing talk of health-related problems with her animals to be disheartening, and at times, tiring. It's enough to make this city-girl wonder if all goats have such health issues, or if it's something unique to angoras (or, perhaps just unique to this author and her book).

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspirational in a cautionary way. A lovely read if you are into fibre and/or fibre animals.