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| I really loved this Book. Living in the Pacific NW and my Grandpa working on the railroad, and my Dad as a young boy used to hop the train and just end up where ever, and never hearing the word Yard Bull before, I found this to be a very captivating story. I am one of the lucky ones to have met Dean and come to know what a warm and wonderful person he is. Thanks for sharing your life's story with all of us. It brought laughter, suspense and tears all in one story.
Char H. |
Business Owners
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Fascinating and Exciting! A great look inside a little known aspect of law enforcement. We certainly did not realize how interesting and dangerous security on the Railroads is. Extremely interesting and informative, we recommend this book for anyone who wants to read a truly original and captivating true story. This book
is a page turner and hard to put down!
Jeff and Kelli Chen
Owners of Dungeness Ranch Pet Resort, Sequim WA |
Counselor
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Dean did a wonderful job of portraying the characters. Was an excellent read! As an avid reader of non-fiction, I was truly captivated. I can't imagine anyone not enjoying Yard Bull. It touches the reader on many levels and leaves you hopeful for the sequel.
Deb Amoroso - Solomon's Key Counseling |
ER Nurse & Mom
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Loved your book. It was a privilege to read about a life so fully lived. I was not only educated and intrigued by the diversity of challenges, but given a sense of how the human spirit can and must move on.
Jana K., E.R. Nurse & Mom
PS - I once hopped a freight train, rode about 10 miles until I met a "Yard Bull" and outran him :-) |
PD Officer
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One of the finest books I have read, Dean would be a solid partner to patrol with--a good Christian example who has overcome obstacles that many would use as reasons to give up on life. God bless you, Dean--and the many others in RR public safety, past and present. You too, Henry!
If you're ever in Missouri, drop me a line.
Rodney,
Bowling Green (MO) PD officer and lifelong railroad enthusiast |
A compelling page turner by a great first writer. Couldn’t wait to find out if next episode would bring a smile or tears. Great descriptions of places and true events. Now I can’t wait for the next book. This should definitely be on the best seller list!!
Ruth Messing, author and editor. Coincidentally along with Dean O’Shea, I’m a native Nebraskan who grew up near the railroad and yards; now WA state resident. |
Community
Service Advisor |
I couldn't put this book down! Chock full of action, and adventure, with a full dose of romance and emotions. I laughed, I cried and felt everything in between, as I turned 350 pages in 2 days. Dean O'Shea has certainly lived a life of adventure and has felt the sting of loss and betrayal. Death comes like a thief in the night when you are least expecting it and the emotions leave you struggling. Dean has handled the cards he was dealt like a true Christian and a stand-up man. Would love to see a Movie out of this one!
Donna Trevino, Marysville, WA,
Dignity Memorial Provider - Purdy & Walters at Floral Hills Funeral Home & Cemetery |
I laughed, I cried, I loved it.
Gerrie W., Washington State |
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Growing up in Beverly Hills (my father was Hollywood actor, Walter Pidgeon), I loved going to the movies, watching those classic stories featuring glamorous stars. But once the golden era of Hollywood ended, I found myself drawn to books of all kinds. When I first picked up Yard Bull more out of curiosity than anything else, I found it easily held my attention and interest. Some of the situations were funny, others were touching, all were interesting.
Pidge |
| Just read your book (I collect books written by railroaders) and yours was one of the best. Not only did you have a story to tell, but you told it exceedingly well. An excellent effort. J. Younger, Ellicott City, MD |
Metal Artist |
Dean O’Shea’s stories were fast-paced and personal, keeping me turning the pages until I finished. I really enjoyed the humorous interactions between Henry and Dean, and watching their working relationship develop into a close friendship. Recommend Yard Bull for all memoir lovers.
Dana Hyde, Metal Artist of Metal and Mud Studio |
"...This excellent piece of nonfiction is a first-hand account of the railroad police profession, a part of railroading that often goes unexplored."
Sayre C. Kos, Trains Magazine, April, 2008 |
Train Conductor |
As a train conductor on the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway's Northwest Division, I can say that O'Shea has created a book that is an accurate representation of what we see happening around the Seattle railway yards on an all too frequent basis. You won't be disappointed!
Eric P., Seattle, WA |
I started reading Yard Bull in the evening and stayed up all night. I just couldn't put it down.
Duane S., Washington |
I collect books about people who worked for the railroad in every type of job available, and while there are a bunch of books about engineers, station agents, etc, there are very few about the lives of railroad police. I found this book to be a great read. Interesting, and at times exciting. He is a great storyteller. I hope he writes "part 2" and continues his life as a RR cop.
D.E. Allen, Medford, New Jersey |
Physician Assistant |
I finished Yard Bull in three nights as it was hard to put down! The railroad stories were fascinating and seemed to be from another world that the rest of society doesn't ever see. His flashbacks to Vietnam interwoven with the present gave the memoir depth and relevance. I found myself coming away with a sense of who Dean was and how his life had shaped that. It brought me to tears, made me laugh and made me curious of what Dean is doing now... Definitely recommend this book!
C.S., Portland, Oregon |
"Dean O'Shea's Yard Bull is a well-done autobiographical novel told in the first person by a railroad detective just back from the Vietnam War..."
Marc Leepson, Arts Editor for The Veteran , Nov/Dec 2007 Issue |
Dog
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Woof, woof, woof! (Finally, a book with a cockapoo as a hero!) |
I read this book to my husband on our road trip from Seattle to Denver. We laughed, I cried, and we missed some much needed Rest Areas because I couldn't wait to find out what was happening next. I had no idea what a Yard Bull was when I began but had much respect for them when we finished. It is full of adventure and even romance. I highly recommend this book, but make sure you start early or don't mind staying up late as it is hard to find a stopping place. We are hoping for a sequel soon.
Sharon & John H., Washington State |
CPA
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I just finished reading my copy of Yard Bull and I have to say that it was one of the best books I have ever read! And I have over 500 railroad books in my collection! I do hope that someday you will write another book on your experiences as a BNSF special agent!
Allan M., Nova Scotia, Canada |
I always read when I go to bed and started the book Saturday night but only got the first chapter read as we had a busy weekend. Last night I read a few more chapters and decided I had better turn off the light and get some sleep but after laying there for an hour thinking about the book I turned the light back on and read until 3:00 A.M. When I am reading your book I have to chuckle then the next thing I know I am crying. You really make the reader "feel" everything and I can't believe what you've been through. I hope there are more books in the making.
Candy F., Nebraska |
School Superintendent |
Yard Bull is a fantastic book - once I started reading it, I couldn't put it down. It held my interest all the way through. The book made me laugh and it made me cry - the romance made me swoon and the flashbacks and the vagrants freaked me out! All the time I was reading it, I felt like I was right there with Dean, watching from a corner. I couldn't believe all the different kinds of vagrants that he had to deal with - some were pretty scary, but still my heart went out to them. It was refreshing to see Dean's faith made stronger with all that happened to him. I'd recommend this book to everyone. Sure hope there is another book in the making.
C. Barnell, Lincoln, Nebraska |
A young man's journey to manhood - funny, poignant, tragic!!
Anne O., Warrenton, Virginia |
Yard Bull firmly held my attention from the first few sentences through the end of the book. Every page told more of the captivating adventure of Dean O’Shea. It was difficult to pause reading this book to do anything else. Dean’s life as a Yard Bull portrays a fascinating dimension of law enforcement that includes a great deal of working in the dark, being on foot and confronting trespassers that are often armed and have nothing to lose. Interwoven with his daring and dangerous adventures is Dean’s developing friendship with Cassie. Their humorous and romantic adventures touched a special place in my heart. This is a book I treasure. I earnestly hope Dean will write a sequel to this incredible story.
Richard W., Washington |
Pilot/Carpenter |
As we read, each page transported us to amazing things, some so familiar, some totally unknown. The ending left a deep imprint, after all that Dean dealt with, to be able to see past it to the value of a person is the call to all of us.
Jadie & Bill H., Hawaii |
Farmer &
Farmer's Wife |
The true encounters that Dean O'Shea shares are both enlightening and exciting. His walk through the world and ultimately into a relationship with God was encouraging, knowing one can have this relationship as well. The difficult situation that he and Cassie found themselves in was both touching and heart wrenching. I felt the book's message all the way through, was clearly illustrated and captured the feelings and emotions that brought the reader along with him on a very special journey. It has been written for both men and women. You won't be able to lay it down.
Sharon Felker, McCook, NE. |
I finished it! It was terrific. It's super fun to read about someone I know. You did a great job and kept my attention the entire time. Have you started the sequel yet??????????
Kateri S., Sequim, WA |
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We found the book Yard Bull by Dean O'Shea a delightful read. It offers one a glimpse into a world of intrigue and crime that is not usually seen. We found it quite uplifting on the spiritual side too and would recommend it to all.
Rachel and Peter |
I loved the book! I found it just drew me forward into each new chapter and story, so it was hard to put down.
K. Weaver., Glen Mills, Pennsylvania |
Business Owner |
Finding oneself, the Vietnam experience, police work, love, despair, hope and faith. Yardbull presents the human experience through the unique perspective of a railroad detective with small town Midwestern roots. An intriguing and suspense filled chronicle of the author’s life experiences, the reader is introduced to a world most of us will never see. Dean O’shea’s Christian faith is unobtrusively threaded throughout the book and is an inspiration regardless of one's religious beliefs. Yardbull will leave you with a new appreciation for law enforcement, and for your own travels through life.
Craig L., Punta Gorda, FL |
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PURCHASE INFO
ABOUT THE AUTHOR |
Dean O'Shea followed his father and grandfather’s legacy when he made his career with the railroad.
After 27 years as a Special Agent with Burlington-Northern, he retired in the Pacific Northwest where he and Henry still get together to fish and try out new restaurants.
Dean walks with his dogs every day, keeps in touch with family in Nebraska and Oregon, as well as volunteering in his community. On any given day, he’s never far from the sea. |
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--- A recent road trip to visit my parents and sisters in Nebraska reminded me of the importance of family
and what a beautiful country we are blessed to have. --- Dean |
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