Which came first, the chicken or the egg? That's just about the only question that isn't answered in The Complete Chicken, which pays tribute to this popular poultry.

In an easy-to-read style, Pam Percy provides a colorful, entertaining account of chicken history; chicken breeds; the chicken's role in art and pop culture, myth, legend, religion, and folklore; plus information on chicken collectibles. With all this and more--including a wide selection of words and phrases inspired by chicks, technical poultry terms, and instructions on how to say cock-a-doodle-doo in different languages and other trivia--The Complete Chicken has something for every chicken lover.

The light-hearted yet informative text is complemented by delightful illustrations, including photographs of different breeds. Also depicted are images of chickens in pop culture, chickens in ads, chicken collectibles (chickenalia) and popular poultry.

About the Author

Pam Percy lives in Wisconsin. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Tag this product

(What's this?)

Think of a tag as a keyword or label you consider is strongly related to this product.
Tags will help all customers organize and find favorite items.

Customer Reviews

5 Reviews

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

Average Customer Review

4.6 out of 5 stars (5 customer reviews)

Share your thoughts with other customers:

Create your own review

Most helpful customer reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars chicken dialectics, Sep 11 2003

By	S. Bush (Austin, Texas USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book describes, in at times overwhelming detail, the role of the chicken in the development of psychoanalytic thought and practice, and by extension, the history of twentieth century Western culture. I sincerely hope that the author plans a follow-up to this definitive text, outlining the chicken's equally-influential role in Eastern thought (most notably Zen Buddhism).

I am certain that Auden's observation that Freud was no longer an individual, but rather a "climate of opinion," had everything to do with the "Flock Dialectic," detailed in this remarkable book (and leave it to Lacan, of course, to take this statement to its inevitable conclusion, in his work on "poulets picotant pour la graine," particularly in as it pertains to his "Romantic Construction of the Unconscious").

One does not have to be an academic to comprehend the manner in which the chicken's flightless, songless state morphed, via a Bahktinian (by way of Rabelais) inversion of norms, into the "cri de couer" of our strange and troubled century.

If you are interested in psychoanalytical praxis, I heartily recommend this book. That said, the lay reader or analysand will find it enlightening, as well.

Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)

5.0 out of 5 stars A fascinating, bird-themed history, Nov 10 2002

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

The Complete Chicken: An Entertaining History Of Chickens by Pam Percy (who has been raising chickens as a hobby since 1986 on her five-acre property near Milwaukee, Wisconsin) is a fascinating and detailed history of chickens in recorded human history, ranging from their domestication and use as egg layers and a source of food, to popular culture features such as the animated movie "Chicken Run." Full-color illustrations and photographs, famous chicken-themed quotes, and a solid body of fascinating information mark The Complete Chicken as a fascinating, bird-themed history which is a "must read" for chicken fanciers and fans.

Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)

5.0 out of 5 stars "The Complete Chicken" more than just scratches the surface, Oct 22 2002

By	Steven La Plant (Wauwatosa, WI USA) - See all my reviews

I picked up a copy of Pam Percy's "The Complete Chicken" and couldn't put it down. It's a great blend of humor and history--great for chicken aficionados and chicken newbies alike. I particularly like its collection of chicken paintings and other artwork throughout history. I plan to give this book to all of the hobby farmers on my Christmas list this year.

Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)

Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review

› See all 5 customer reviews...

Most recent customer reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars Cute but destined to be a bargain table book.....
I was excited when I saw this book, I was hoping for a comprehensive guide to the history of the chicken, my favorite land animal. Read more

Published on Oct 18 2002 by Grendel

5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful!
I have really been enjoying this book. It's one that I can pick up any time, and as I read, I frequently find myself saying to whoever is near, "Listen to this.... Read more

Published on Oct 14 2002 by pseudonym