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The Lost Dogs: Michael Vick’s Dogs and Their Tale of Rescue and Redemption Audiobook, by Jim Gorant Play Audiobook Sample

The Lost Dogs: Michael Vick’s Dogs and Their Tale of Rescue and Redemption Audiobook

The Lost Dogs: Michael Vick’s Dogs and Their Tale of Rescue and Redemption Audiobook, by Jim Gorant Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Richard Powers Publisher: Blackstone Publishing Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 6.83 hours at 1.5x Speed 5.13 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: September 2010 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN: 9781481586603

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

42

Longest Chapter Length:

55:51 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

06:50 minutes

Average Chapter Length:

14:30 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

2

Other Audiobooks Written by Jim Gorant: > View All...

Publisher Description

This is an inspiring story of survival and our powerful bond with man’s best friend in the aftermath of the nation’s most notorious case of animal cruelty.

Animal lovers and sports fans were shocked when the story broke about NFL player Michael Vick’s brutal dogfighting operation. But what became of the dozens of dogs who survived? As acclaimed writer Jim Gorant discovered, their story is the truly newsworthy aspect of this case. Expanding on Gorant’s Sports Illustrated cover story, The Lost Dogs traces the effort to bring Vick to justice and turns the spotlight on these infamous pit bulls, who were saved from euthanasia by an outpouring of public appeals coupled with a court order that Vick pay nearly one million dollars in “restitution” to the dogs.

As an ASPCA-led team evaluated each one, they found a few hardened fighters, but many more lovable, friendly creatures desperate for compassion. In The Lost Dogs, we meet these amazing animals, a number of which are now living in loving homes, while some even work in therapy programs. Johnny Justice participates in Paws for Tales, which lets kids get comfortable with reading aloud by reading to dogs; Leo spends three hours a week with cancer patients and troubled teens. At the heart of the stories are the rescue workers who transformed the pups from victims of animal cruelty into healing caregivers themselves, unleashing priceless hope.

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"Tough to read but well worth it. Definitely shed some tears but also a lot of smiles. You finish the book feeling that these dogs were really given a chance by some hard working big hearted people and it makes you feel good about the difference a few people can make for so many (animals and people)."

— Shanen (5 out of 5 stars)

Quotes

  • “Jim Gorant goes beyond the headlines of Michael Vick and the Bad News Kennels to richly tell the rest of the story: how these amazing dogs, in the wake of such brutality, help bring out the best in the human spirit.”

    — Tom Verducci, #1 New York Times bestselling author
  • “Jim Gorant provides a powerful narrative that is, at times, heartbreaking, but also illuminating and inspirational. You will come away from The Lost Dogs warmed by the knowledge that it wasn’t only Vick who got a second chance.”

    — George Dohrmann, Pulitzer Prize–winning reporter
  • “The horrors that befell Vick’s dogs at 1915 Moonlight Road in Smithfield, VA—the hangings, drownings, the electrocutions—remain difficult to consider. In Sports Illustrated senior editor Jim Gorant’s new book, The Lost Dogs…the author provides a definitive unsparing account not only of that brutality but of the larger dogfighting culture that engendered it…While Dogs chronicles the investigation…at its center are the stories of the deeply traumatized animals…and of the people who banded together to save them…47 of Vick’s battered dogs were saved. Most of the creatures turned from shivering, scarred messes into well-adjusted household pets…Above all, Gorant’s fine book is a heartwarming tale of how the love and commitment of a community can heal even the deepest and most abhorrent of traumas.”

    — Sports Illustrated
  • “Gorant offers a chilling investigation into Michael Vick’s dog-fighting operation and the men and women who brought him to justice and rehabilitated the rescued dogs. Gorant outlines the rise of Bad Newz Kennels, describing in sometimes painful detail the abuse, torture, and execution of the animals...[and] the efforts to save these animals from euthanasia…At a time when Vick has returned to professional football and much of the public outcry about Bad Newz Kennels has been forgotten, this book provides a stark reminder about the horror and prevalence of dog fighting.”

    — Publishers Weekly
  • “Told with quiet authority (and unbelievable guts), Gorant details the discovery of the Bad Newz kennel, the efforts of USDA special agent Jim Knorr and Virginia deputy sheriff Bill Brinkman to bust it, official resistance to touching Vick, the move on Bad Newz, the efforts of BAD RAP pit bull rescuers Tim Racer and Donna Reynolds to evaluate the dogs (which saved them from being destroyed), the thoroughgoing plan for the dogs’ reclamation, and the legal and moral ramifications of the case…Riveting, heartbreaking, and finally hopeful, this is exemplary reporting; essential for anyone who cares about animal welfare—or what it means to be responsibly human.”

    — Library Journal
  • “The Lost Dogs takes an up close and personal look at society’s ultimate underdogs, and the animal lovers who bucked the odds—and the system—to save them. Gorant has crafted an insightful and uplifting tale about the way that nurture can sometimes triumph over nature, and how the remnants of cruelty can be transformed through the power of hope and love.”

    — Allen St. John, author of The Billion Dollar Game
  • “Jim Gorant’s remarkably even-handed The Lost Dogs is a gripping story of redemption that uncovers the other side of the Michael Vick story. A portrait of dogs as individuals, caught up in events that reveal the best and worst of human nature, The Lost Dogs will validate dog lovers and possibly transform cynics as well.”

    — Ken Foster, author of The Dogs Who Found Me
  • “Narrator Paul Michael Garcia’s reading is very even and matter-of-fact…For the entire last disc of the set, Garcia recounts one by one, with a distinct note of optimism, the present status of the forty-four dogs (out of fifty-five) that survived…The controversy involving Vick continues while for most of the innocent victims—the dogs—the story does have a bright outlook for the future.”

    — SoundCommentary.com

Awards

  • A New York Times bestseller
  • A 2010 Library Journal Best Book
  • Selected for the October 2010 Indie Next List
  • Winner of the 2011 American Society of Journalists and Authors’ Outstanding Book Award for General Nonfiction

The Lost Dogs Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 4.2272727272727275 out of 54.2272727272727275 out of 54.2272727272727275 out of 54.2272727272727275 out of 54.2272727272727275 out of 5 (4.23)
5 Stars: 10
4 Stars: 8
3 Stars: 3
2 Stars: 1
1 Stars: 0
Narration: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Story: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " The positive side of a terrible story. This is what should have been reported in the media! "

    — Kimberly, 2/20/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Audio. Graphic, so sad! Very well told. "

    — Laura, 2/16/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This book was hard to read but I'm really glad I did get through it. The first part of the book is the worst, you have to be able to read what they did to those poor dogs. Once you get through that and you read about the rescue and redemption it's amazing. Be ready to cry though! "

    — Renee, 2/15/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " A good book about a group of dogs that were given a chance to succeed and did, against all expectations. Still a little shocked that Michael Vick did so little time and is once again playing for exorbitant sums. "

    — Teeni, 2/14/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Amazing book! Its brutally descriptive and can be very upsetting but it brings to the light the brutality of this hidden world and makes known how wonderful these dogs are "

    — Emma, 2/3/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " The beginning of this book is tough to read if your an animal lover. However, the ending it an all over feel good. It's amazing the amount of trauma a dog can endure and still be a loving animal. "

    — Genoa, 1/13/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This was both inspiring, and heart breaking. I will look differently at Pit bulls now! "

    — Carla, 1/11/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Totally challenged every belief and thought I had about the breed. I cried my way through so many parts, but the story is definitely worth it. "

    — Alicia, 12/22/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Loads of tax dollars went into this high-profile case. Was it truly worth it? "

    — Michele, 12/3/2013
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Interesting subject matter, but the writing is not strong. I particularly cringed at the parts written from a dog's point of view. "

    — Claire, 11/15/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Awesome book. Ok, the writing style in the first few chapters jumps around a bit. BUT, the book as a whole is amazing. It's amazing how people can come together to save these dogs, and it's amazing how some of these dogs can change and become loving pets again. A must read for any animal-lover. "

    — David, 8/20/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I knew it was a bad idea to read this on an airplane. When I was horrified and got choked up and ready to cry I had to put it aside and drink my soda. You don't know the whole story of the dogs rescued from Michael Vick, and you shouldn't express an opinion about Vick, until you read this book. "

    — Robin, 5/15/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This book inspires and breaks your heart at the same time. Warning: some material is VERY upsetting. "

    — Kobie, 3/31/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " A remarkable story, made more so by Gorant's excellent writing and the uplifting emphasis on the redemption over the brutality. A lesson to all those who unthinkingly and ignorantly condemn this breed "

    — Carlos, 3/17/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " A must read for dog lovers, pitty lovers and the people who think " they're just dogs". I fell in love with all the vick-tory dogs. This story shows that there is always hope in a bad situation. "

    — Maya, 4/16/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " An amazing book that sheds light on what happened. And it helps so much in brightening the dark shadow that hangs over the bully breeds. "

    — Arienne, 3/14/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I was really drawn into this book which I read with a little hesitation at first because of the subject. I'm a dog lover and I found the message in this book much more hopeful than sad. "

    — Keely, 8/5/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I knew that I would have to read the tough parts to get to the rescue and rehabilitation of these wonderful animals. Michael Vick is a scumbag and there is no redemption for what he did to these dogs. "

    — Debra, 5/16/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Heart breaking in the beginning but I'm half way threw and so happy to hear the stories of how the dogs where treated. "

    — Edwarda, 4/19/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I am so glad I kept with this book. It was an amazing read and I have already begun to pass this book to my friends. This book should be required reading for anyone that wants to defend Michael Vick as a football player. He may be an amazing football player, but he is a terrible human being. "

    — Desiree, 4/16/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Too many dogs to get too in-detail with their stories, but it's really great to finally see how many people are willing to give this breed a chance! Any dog-lover would enjoy this gut-wrenching tale. "

    — Brooke, 4/3/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Sooo good. And sad. And now I want to rescue a pitbull. "

    — Genevieve, 3/3/2011

About Jim Gorant

Jim Gorant has worked as a magazine editor and writer for twenty years and is currently a senior editor at Sports Illustrated. His work has appeared in such magazines as Men’s Health, GQ, and Outside. He is also the author of the New York Times bestseller The Lost Dogs. He lives in New Jersey.

About Richard Powers

Richard Powers has published thirteen novels. He is a MacArthur Fellow and received the National Book Award. He won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction for The Overstory, and Bewilderment was shortlisted for the Booker Prize.