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Beware of Cat: And Other Encounters of a Letter Carrier

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Arrives Tuesday, Dec 31
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Description

One sunny day on his postal route, Vincent Wyckoff crosses the path of an elderly gentleman whistling for his lost parakeet. The old man is upset, and Wyckoff moves down the block slowly, looking high and low, hoping to spot the little bird. He reaches the man's house and offers sympathy to his wife, who smiles sadly and says, "We haven't had that bird for twenty-five years." Letter carriers like Wyckoff walk through the same neighborhood each day, observing the lives and routines of its residents. They learn its stories, make connections between people, and, in many ways, become the common thread that connects neighbors to one another. Along Wyckoff's mail route, Native American children teach him about totems. He finds assistance for a reclusive chain-smoking book collector who can't maintain his property. He delivers a much-delayed registered letter mailed from Saigon in 1976. Over the years, Wyckoff sees the neighborhood of blue-collar retirees change as a diverse group of younger people move in and raise their families. Celebrating the triumphs in everyday life and demonstrating the danger of trusting first impressions, Beware of Cat reveals the inner workings of an ordinary place of extraordinary interest. Read more

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Minnesota Historical Society Press; 1st edition (September 1, 2017)


Language ‏ : ‎ English


Paperback ‏ : ‎ 204 pages


ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1681340755


ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 53


Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 9.1 ounces


Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.46 x 8.5 inches


Best Sellers Rank: #1,513,602 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #1,715 in Communication Reference (Books) #5,105 in Communication & Media Studies #44,926 in Memoirs (Books)


#1,715 in Communication Reference (Books):


#5,105 in Communication & Media Studies:


Frequently asked questions

If you place your order now, the estimated arrival date for this product is: Tuesday, Dec 31

Yes, absolutely! You may return this product for a full refund within 30 days of receiving it.

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Top Amazon Reviews


  • Very entertaining
Full of very inspirational stories !
Reviewed in the United States on February 27, 2024 by Lynn Baxton

  • Entertaining short stories
The short stories about what happened along the mail carrier’s route are entertaining and heartwarming.
Reviewed in the United States on April 3, 2023 by Dianne

  • Whatever your job in life, the people affected by it are important, and they're lives very much matter.
Vincent Wyckoff is an honest, observant, interested and caring, gracious person who has delivered mail for a number of years. Putting that all together with his desire to share his stories results in a fascinating, captivating read. What I liked the least about the book is that it ended!
Reviewed in the United States on December 10, 2017 by Jean A. Johnson

  • Beware of Cat
Beware of Cat by Vincent Wyckoff, a Kindle book I began reading on September 20th while waiting for my morning bus to work. A simple day-long read, I could see a book of simple, moral-based stories like this in either a library's occupational/government jobs section or offered at a Minnesota tourism gift shop. It speaks worlds of the community and culture I live in and encourages you to be civic and to be happy to be part of a neighborhood. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on May 20, 2014 by Kristine Fisher

  • Great feel-good book!
Loved this book. It’s a slice of American life.
Reviewed in the United States on August 9, 2021 by Diane M. McLarty

  • Fun book. All the stories that happen through the ...
Fun book. All the stories that happen through the eyes of the mail carrier. Excellent.
Reviewed in the United States on July 28, 2018 by Patricia Otten

  • Heartwarming stories.
I happen to live in the same city as the author -- it reminds me of listening to Garrison Keillor -- great storytelling that hits home with some humor and wisdom.
Reviewed in the United States on December 29, 2012 by C.Erickson

  • Humanity
As I read this book, I was struck by the compassion and thoughtfulness of the letter carrier author--observing and accepting without judgement the lives that unfold on his route. He appreciates the textures of being!
Reviewed in the United States on May 10, 2010 by J. Stanton

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