Robert Sullivan (5) (1963–)

This almost got 5 stars for being so engaging throughout. It was hard to put down. The only time it dragged was during some of the history of certain New York City streets, though that part was quite short. The chapter on bubonic plague in San Francisco was especially interesting as I recently read "The Barbary Plague" by Marilyn Chase, and also, the connection with the American Revolution times, as I'm now reading "The American Revolution" by DK Publishing. Lots of good stuff in this book. And his writing style was very conversational and easy to read.

I was thinking that, if a rat pair can breed 15,000 in a year, as he says, then what good is it to trap or poison them? They would just keep breeding and fill that gap. So far, the best way to limit the population is to limit the food supply -- which is not gonna happen as long as New York leaves its garbage out in plastic bags. So why not try some birth control? Then I saw an article about that very method -- the city government of Washington D.C. is about to try it. We'll see how that goes.

I've trapped rats in my attic and garage in live traps, then drown them quickly in cold water in a plastic bin, maybe a total of 10 or so over the years. I put them in a zip-lock baggie in the freezer till trash day. And warn the kids before they open the freezer!

Good book. Recommended!… (more)