[W]e were electrified by this remarkable book!  impressed with Mr. Price’s mastery of the literary technique; the quality of his work.  The story has a wonderful flow.  The characters are real, …even the ‘personalities’ of the animals shone through!  [I]t is thought-provoking, especially as it relates to the different cultures and backgrounds, …physical and emotional, and the different situations life deals people.  Just as The Cock’s Spur stayed with us for a long time, so will Where the Water-Dogs Laughed. 

JUDGES’ COMMENTS: NORTH CAROLINA SOCIETY OF HISTORIANS

CLARK COX HISTORICAL FICTION AWARD 2003

“We saw the author’s name and we immediately began to discuss who was going to read the book first.  The winner proudly strutted out of the room while the remaining judges each made a strong case as to why they should be next!

Having read Mr. Price’s last novel, The Cock’s Spur, we were thrilled to welcome familiar characters back into our lives; and, we were eager to meet new ones.

We each read the book and in our group discussion, it was easy to see that this entry would win by unanimous decision.  We were all very impressed with Mr. Price’s mastery of the literary technique; the quality of his work.  The story has a wonderful flow.  The characters are real, some with whom we could identify and some we developed feelings for; even the ‘personalities’ of the animals shone through!  With regard to the subject matter, it is thought-provoking, especially as it relates to the different cultures and backgrounds, different wars…physical and emotional, and the different situations life deals people.

In summation, we were electrified by this remarkable book!  And, we were very impressed as to how Mr. Price wove historic facts together with fictional creativity.  Just as The Cock’s Spur stayed with us for a long time, so will Where the Water-Dogs Laughed.  And…we EAGERLY anticipate the next volume!  We hope we don’t have a long wait!”