What do you think?
Rate this book
Penny: Hands I Passed Through…Things I saw…Stories I Can Tell!
Have you ever looked at a coin in the palm of your hand and wondered where it has been, what it has seen and heard, and what stories it could tell? Well, in a nutshell, that is what PENNY is about as this very special one-cent piece passes through the hands of ordinary people, the famous, the infamous, the saints, and the sinners and hangs out in churches, honkytonks, and everywhere in between. This book tells the stories of the people whose hands PENNY passes through. Why is this particular penny so special? Well, because it was the final penny ever minted of 95% copper, on October 22, 1982. After that, all one-cent pieces are pathetic and puny, consisting of 97.5% zinc with only a touch of copper thrown in. That's why. After reading PENNY, you might never again be able to pass by a penny lying on the ground without at least giving a thought to picking it up and putting it in your pocket. Every book should be dedicated to someone or something, and this book is dedicated to the penny pinchers of the world. Okay, also to the penny hoarders. PENNY is Peter Davidson's twenty-eighth published book.
188 pages, Paperback
Published May 7, 2017
About the author
Peter Davidson
4 books5 followersPeter Davidson is the author or co-author of thirty books published by McGraw-Hill Book Company, Perigee/Putnam Publishers, Haworth Press, Sweet Memories Publishing, and Northwestern Publishing. His works include fiction, nonfiction, college textbooks, and children's picture books.
For more than two decades, Davidson was one of America's most active writer's seminar presenters, having presented 637 one-day seminars in a 15-state area from Minnesota to Tennessee and Colorado to Illinois. Davidson has owned small businesses, including a professional recording studio, sold real estate, and taught business courses at a community college.
Whatever else Davidson was doing in his life, he kept on writing.
For more than two decades, Davidson was one of America's most active writer's seminar presenters, having presented 637 one-day seminars in a 15-state area from Minnesota to Tennessee and Colorado to Illinois. Davidson has owned small businesses, including a professional recording studio, sold real estate, and taught business courses at a community college.
Whatever else Davidson was doing in his life, he kept on writing.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 14, 2017
STORY-LINE PENNY HANDS I PASSED THROUGH.. THINGS I SAW.. STORIES I CAN TELL BY PETER DAVIDSON
In Penny Hands I Passed Through Things I Saw Stories I Can Tell, the story's told by the one-cent piece or as it prefers to be called, Penny; told in the first person, explaining its genders neither male or female, rather the penny's gender neutral. Born on October 22, 1982, in Denver Colorado, it has had an illustrious history; It's the last 95% copper penny made. This one-cent piece, aka penny, traveled everywhere, met people from all walks of life, and played a part in many dramas.
This is Penny's story. The story of its birth, who it meet, when they meet, and how it traveled on to the next situation. Then sometimes it's left laying in the street or on a table, any of a thousand places a single penny ends up. Penny ended up in a lot of places; the jar of a hoarder, at the bank, in a little boy's pocket, in a shoe, and many more.
Peter Davidson created a funny read about the lowly penny which really is not so lowly after all. For one hundred make a dollar, fifty make fifty cent and so on. Where would we be without this shiny jewel? It has seen it all and heard it all from its place of prominence; either the purse, pocket, the street, or ashtray. The places it has been are hilariously funny and sometimes irreverent. Penny met a variety of people and heard many stories of life, love, and crisis; seeing everything in between. From pop stars, salesmen, to church offering plates. It met a secret romance writer, laid in a guitar case, and traveled to Los Vegas and sunny California. This wonderful penny even met Jim Bob and Billy Ray, Southerners to the core. It met too many to name and in each place there's a story.
It has seen everything from love to murder; been stolen, thrown away, gambled, flipped, and used judiciously. Penny's been everywhere including the halls of justice and government; it even hung in a beautiful frame in a Senator's Office for a while. Oh, the wonderful penny and the stories it can tell.
Peter Davidson created a solid funny story of the humble penny. I enjoyed my hilarious journey with Davidson and the humble copper penny. I don't think I will ever ignore the penny in my purse again. Take a look and see if you have the illustrious penny, world traveler, change maker, and life changer extraordinaire minted Oct 22, 1982. As Penny stated:
"treat me kindly, for I am special, you know. I was the final penny minted on October 22, 1982 and the final penny ever made of 95% copper with just a touch of zinc thrown in."
Peter Davidson's writing flowed well as he created an entertaining book, I laughed and laughed reading this tale of the penny. I closed my e Reader with a smile on my face; still laughing and chuckling.
PENNY HANDS I PASSED THROUGH THINGS I SAW STORIES I CAN TELL RECOMMENDATION: STARS 4
FINALLY PLEASE NOTE:
Additionally, I borrowed this book from Kindle Unlimited and received a copy from the author. I chose to voluntarily review the book with honest contemporary fiction book reviews. Lastly, book reviews of any novel are dependent on the book review author’s opinion. Consequently, all book reviews on-line and on my blog, are my opinions. In addition, no one influences my voluntary contemporary fiction book reviews.
In Penny Hands I Passed Through Things I Saw Stories I Can Tell, the story's told by the one-cent piece or as it prefers to be called, Penny; told in the first person, explaining its genders neither male or female, rather the penny's gender neutral. Born on October 22, 1982, in Denver Colorado, it has had an illustrious history; It's the last 95% copper penny made. This one-cent piece, aka penny, traveled everywhere, met people from all walks of life, and played a part in many dramas.
This is Penny's story. The story of its birth, who it meet, when they meet, and how it traveled on to the next situation. Then sometimes it's left laying in the street or on a table, any of a thousand places a single penny ends up. Penny ended up in a lot of places; the jar of a hoarder, at the bank, in a little boy's pocket, in a shoe, and many more.
Peter Davidson created a funny read about the lowly penny which really is not so lowly after all. For one hundred make a dollar, fifty make fifty cent and so on. Where would we be without this shiny jewel? It has seen it all and heard it all from its place of prominence; either the purse, pocket, the street, or ashtray. The places it has been are hilariously funny and sometimes irreverent. Penny met a variety of people and heard many stories of life, love, and crisis; seeing everything in between. From pop stars, salesmen, to church offering plates. It met a secret romance writer, laid in a guitar case, and traveled to Los Vegas and sunny California. This wonderful penny even met Jim Bob and Billy Ray, Southerners to the core. It met too many to name and in each place there's a story.
It has seen everything from love to murder; been stolen, thrown away, gambled, flipped, and used judiciously. Penny's been everywhere including the halls of justice and government; it even hung in a beautiful frame in a Senator's Office for a while. Oh, the wonderful penny and the stories it can tell.
Peter Davidson created a solid funny story of the humble penny. I enjoyed my hilarious journey with Davidson and the humble copper penny. I don't think I will ever ignore the penny in my purse again. Take a look and see if you have the illustrious penny, world traveler, change maker, and life changer extraordinaire minted Oct 22, 1982. As Penny stated:
"treat me kindly, for I am special, you know. I was the final penny minted on October 22, 1982 and the final penny ever made of 95% copper with just a touch of zinc thrown in."
Peter Davidson's writing flowed well as he created an entertaining book, I laughed and laughed reading this tale of the penny. I closed my e Reader with a smile on my face; still laughing and chuckling.
PENNY HANDS I PASSED THROUGH THINGS I SAW STORIES I CAN TELL RECOMMENDATION: STARS 4
FINALLY PLEASE NOTE:
Additionally, I borrowed this book from Kindle Unlimited and received a copy from the author. I chose to voluntarily review the book with honest contemporary fiction book reviews. Lastly, book reviews of any novel are dependent on the book review author’s opinion. Consequently, all book reviews on-line and on my blog, are my opinions. In addition, no one influences my voluntary contemporary fiction book reviews.
August 6, 2017
"Every time that a penny is passed from one hand to another, it has a value of one cent. If it passes through one hundred thousand hands in its lifetime...that penny has had a value of one thousand dollars. And if this penny I'm holding right here in my hand could speak, it could tell some amazing stories of the hands it has passed through and of the business deals it was part of and of the things it helped accomplish in their lives" (Davidson 167). This was an amazing defense by a man who wished not to see the penny be eliminated from U.S. currency. I felt that encapsulated the themes that emerged from this comic-relief novella in terms of value and our stories. Davidson lays out the observation of this penny through the day to day that may go unnoticed by us humans more often that we think. Each chapter is a mini story that ends up coming full circle for the life of this one particular penny. The commentary on gender neutrality was genius - although I found myself adopting a male narration from time to time. This is not usually the type of book I would pick up, however, I value the simplicity and irony painted throughout. I often wondered about the lives of the inanimate objects - as the metaphorical 'fly on the wall'!
Quotes:
"Officially, the U.S. Mint's name for me is 'Cent', and the U.S. Treasury's name for me is 'one-cent piece.' I prefer to be called Penny. Like other inanimate objects...I am neither male nor female. I have no gender, so please think of me as gender neutral" (Davidson 1)
"Next time you receive a penny in change, take a good look at it rather than casually throwing it into your change drawer...Ponder for a moment, the life that penny has lived, the hands it has passed through, the things it has seen, and the stories it could tell" (Davidson 175)
Read PENNY- Hands I Passed Through... Things I Saw... Stories I Can Tell! if you like the themes of:
Humor
Human nature
The small things/simple pleasures
Quotes:
"Officially, the U.S. Mint's name for me is 'Cent', and the U.S. Treasury's name for me is 'one-cent piece.' I prefer to be called Penny. Like other inanimate objects...I am neither male nor female. I have no gender, so please think of me as gender neutral" (Davidson 1)
"Next time you receive a penny in change, take a good look at it rather than casually throwing it into your change drawer...Ponder for a moment, the life that penny has lived, the hands it has passed through, the things it has seen, and the stories it could tell" (Davidson 175)
Read PENNY- Hands I Passed Through... Things I Saw... Stories I Can Tell! if you like the themes of:
Humor
Human nature
The small things/simple pleasures
May 29, 2023
I had read three of Peter Davidson’s books and enjoyed them all, each having a bit of comedy in it. When I came across this book, I knew I had to read it and am so glad I did.
The premise of the book is that we follow the journey of the last penny that was minted on October 22, 1982, in Denver, Colorado. What is the significance of that date, you may ask. Penny was the last penny ever made of 95% copper with just a touch of zinc. After this date, all pennies made were 97.5% zinc and 2.5% copper.
It was fun following Penny from person to person, place to place. Most likely no one other than Davidson had thought about a coin’s journey. Penny sometimes changes hands several times in one day while, at other times, remaining in one person’s possession for months. Penny crossed the country, moving from person to person, sometimes wishing to remain with a person a bit longer and sometimes happy to move on. Whether traveling in a Buick Roadmaster with a salesman, in the pants pocket of a bright yellow suit worn by Reverend Brown, or in a metal can on the back of the bar at The Tap Inn, in each place there is a story. Once Penny is even the center of a murder trial.
This quote sums up the entire premise of the book:
"Next time you receive a penny in change, take a good look at it rather than casually throwing it into your change drawer...Ponder for a moment, the life that penny has lived, the hands it has passed through, the things it has seen, and the stories it could tell."
This is just the kind of book I enjoy for a light read. It was a fast read, and I highly recommend it.
The premise of the book is that we follow the journey of the last penny that was minted on October 22, 1982, in Denver, Colorado. What is the significance of that date, you may ask. Penny was the last penny ever made of 95% copper with just a touch of zinc. After this date, all pennies made were 97.5% zinc and 2.5% copper.
It was fun following Penny from person to person, place to place. Most likely no one other than Davidson had thought about a coin’s journey. Penny sometimes changes hands several times in one day while, at other times, remaining in one person’s possession for months. Penny crossed the country, moving from person to person, sometimes wishing to remain with a person a bit longer and sometimes happy to move on. Whether traveling in a Buick Roadmaster with a salesman, in the pants pocket of a bright yellow suit worn by Reverend Brown, or in a metal can on the back of the bar at The Tap Inn, in each place there is a story. Once Penny is even the center of a murder trial.
This quote sums up the entire premise of the book:
"Next time you receive a penny in change, take a good look at it rather than casually throwing it into your change drawer...Ponder for a moment, the life that penny has lived, the hands it has passed through, the things it has seen, and the stories it could tell."
This is just the kind of book I enjoy for a light read. It was a fast read, and I highly recommend it.
July 5, 2017
PENNY by Peter Davidson follows the journey of a single the one cent piece, that lowliest of coins. But Penny isn't just your average one cent piece. Penny is the last one of its kind minted of 95% copper back in 1982, bright and shiny and new. Courtesy of Penny's narration the reader can follow along as Penny sets off on its adventures as it leaves the Denver Mint. And oh the adventures it has! Explorers of old would be envious of the way Penny moves along at a fast pace before settling in one spot for some time and moving on again. The people, places, and things that Penny meets and sees would fill volumes, especially as Penny seems like a chatterbox.
Following Penny's exploits is like taking a roller-coaster ride, full of fun and thrills before catching your breath only to experience the exuberance of life once more before coming to rest. Author Peter Davidson does a fine job of recounting Penny's adventures and keeping the reader entertained. His writing is witty and concise. The different types of situations that Penny encounters are diverse and interesting. It is a story that can be easily read while traveling or enjoyed while sipping lemonade on your front porch.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book but would have liked for several of the stories to go on a bit longer. But the nature of the penny is to keep on moving and so must the reader.
Following Penny's exploits is like taking a roller-coaster ride, full of fun and thrills before catching your breath only to experience the exuberance of life once more before coming to rest. Author Peter Davidson does a fine job of recounting Penny's adventures and keeping the reader entertained. His writing is witty and concise. The different types of situations that Penny encounters are diverse and interesting. It is a story that can be easily read while traveling or enjoyed while sipping lemonade on your front porch.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book but would have liked for several of the stories to go on a bit longer. But the nature of the penny is to keep on moving and so must the reader.
October 24, 2017
Have you ever held a penny and thought about all the places that it has been? Especially an old penny. When I was a kid, when I would clean my room and, half the time, throw a penny in the trash if I saw it on my floor! I've often wondered how many kids have done that and how many pennies are in dumps and landfills.
Well, this story basically follows a 1982, 95% copper penny. You read several stories of the people that had the penny, ways it was spent (or stolen), times it was dropped or discarded, and many more. There may not be many people like me who have literally looked at a penny and wondered where it has been, but clearly Peter Davidson is one. And, honestly, even if you have never wondered it before, you will enjoy this book and it will make you think a little each time you hold a penny in your hand.
*Note: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Well, this story basically follows a 1982, 95% copper penny. You read several stories of the people that had the penny, ways it was spent (or stolen), times it was dropped or discarded, and many more. There may not be many people like me who have literally looked at a penny and wondered where it has been, but clearly Peter Davidson is one. And, honestly, even if you have never wondered it before, you will enjoy this book and it will make you think a little each time you hold a penny in your hand.
*Note: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 28, 2022
Penny: Hands I Passed Through…Things I Saw…Stories I Can Tell! by Peter Davidson
After reading the summary of the book I wanted to search through my coins and see if I had a special penny of the same year.
LOVED this story and will recommend to my book clubs, such a fun read. Love all the facts and travel and especially diverse groups of people that interact with the coin.
Have been or read about some places just in the past week, so fascinating.
Never in a million years did I see the penny as being front and center of the real facts of the murder. WOW very relaxing even though parts of it were political.
Can’t wait to read more of this wuthors works,
I received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.
After reading the summary of the book I wanted to search through my coins and see if I had a special penny of the same year.
LOVED this story and will recommend to my book clubs, such a fun read. Love all the facts and travel and especially diverse groups of people that interact with the coin.
Have been or read about some places just in the past week, so fascinating.
Never in a million years did I see the penny as being front and center of the real facts of the murder. WOW very relaxing even though parts of it were political.
Can’t wait to read more of this wuthors works,
I received this review copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.
June 11, 2017
"PENNY: Hands I passed through…Things I saw…Stories I can tell" by Peter Davidson traces the life and times of a newly minted one cent piece. The book consists of a series of self-contained vinaigrettes that follow the coin’s journey across American and through the hands of the rich, poor, famous, criminal, smart and stupid. “PENNY” reminds me a little of a film I saw in the nineties called “Twenty Bucks” which followed a day in the life of a twenty dollar bill. An entertaining read, very suitable for holiday reading.
June 16, 2017
Penny by Peter Davidson is a fascinating tale. I got to trace the travels of the penny throughout these pages. As it exchanged hands from rich to poor and from regular people to the famous. This coin has many stories to tell. I was intrigued. Now, everytime I hold a penny, I will always wonder where it had been before I got it. Peter Davidson took on a new topic that causes the mind to wonder...overall, I recommend this book to readers everywhere.
September 10, 2017
I was contacted by the author to read and review PENNY, I read the blurb and it sounded really good, completely different to what I normally read.
Read more at: http://abisbookreviews.com/2017/06/14...
Read more at: http://abisbookreviews.com/2017/06/14...
June 15, 2017
What a great story about a penny and the travels it saw. I really enjoyed this book it was a fast read.
** I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
** I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews