From Publishers Weekly
Correction: Due to an editing error, our review of Tony Hillerman's Seldom Disappointed (Forecasts, Sept. 24) erroneously stated that Hillerman's brother, Barry, died in WWII. In fact, he survived the war and lived for many decades. PW regrets the error. Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Library Journal
How Hillerman survived the Depression and World War II to become the beloved writer he is today. Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From AudioFile
What a privilege to have one of the most popular American novelists read us his memoirs while offering a look into the sources from which characters such as Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee emerged. Tony Hillerman reads without haste, allowing us lots of time to savor memories we may not share with him, but feelings we do. His warm and avuncular voice gives just the right delivery to his subtle humor and reveals a side of his personality not found in his mystery novels. No anecdote is better than that of the first book agent, who told him, "Fine, but leave out the Indian stuff." Although this is highly recommended as a family book, young readers will underestimate the valuable wisdom being imparted. J.A.H. © AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine


From Booklist
The most frequently asked question of Tony Hillerman, who has brought the Southwest and Navajo Nation culture alive for millions of readers through his mysteries starring Navajo tribal police officers Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee, is this: How did a white man come to know so much about the Navajos? This compelling autobiography is Hillerman's answer to that question. It is also a testimony to a toughened optimism and resiliency; the title comes from his mother's favorite saying: "Blessed are those who expect little. They are seldom disappointed." As Hillerman looks over his 75 years, from his growing up during the Great Depression/Great Dust Bowl in Oklahoma, through his tour in World War II, through wire-service journalism and academia, and, finally, through his experiences as a novelist, he casts himself as a character whose many fiascoes have always contained hidden blessings. Perhaps the most terrifying moment in this whole memoir is when Hillerman's first agent tells him, in 1969, to "get rid of the Indian stuff" in his first novel. An autobiography as clear-eyed and entertaining as any of the author's mysteries. Connie Fletcher
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved


Kirkus Reviews
A warmly old-fashioned reminiscence from the dean of the American regional mystery.


Denver Post, Glenn Griffin
Hillerman reveals the real author...a great yarn.


NY Daily News
[Tony Hillerman] commits his own world--and his optimist's attitude--to the page.


The New York Times Book Review
A splendid and disarming remembrance of things past.


Chicago Tribune
Man of mysteries seldom disappoints.


Fort Worth Star-Telegram, John Sandford
Seldom Disappointed is no disappointment...an amazing reporter's eye at work.


Book Description
In this affectionate and unvarnished recollection of his past, Tony Hillerman looks at seventy-six years spent getting from hard-times farm boy to bestselling author. Using the gifts of a talented novelist and reporter, Hillerman draws brilliant portrait not just of his life, but of the world around him.


About the Author
Tony Hillerman is past president of Mystery Writers of America and has received their Edgar and Grand Master Awards. His other honors include the Center for the American Indian's Ambassador Award, the Silver Spur Award for the best novel set in the West, the Navajo Tribe's Special Friend Award, the National Media Award from the American Anthropological Association, the Public Service Award from the U.S. Department of the Interior, the Nero Wolfe Award, the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Oklahoma Center for the Book, an honorary life membership in the Western Literature Association, and the Grand Prix de Littérature Policiére. In addition to his election to Phi Beta Kappa, Tony Hillerman has been named Doctor of Humane Letters at Arizona State University and at Oregon's Portland State University. He lives with his wife, Marie, in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

FROM OUR EDITORS

From the bestselling author of Coyote Waits, The First Eagle, and Skinwalkers comes an intimate, unvarnished memoir of his life, his writing, and his world.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Seldom Disappointed is an affectionate and unvarnished recollection of the life on one of America's best-loved writers. Beginning with his upbringing in Depression-era Oklahoma, it spans his tour of duty in France during World War II, his newspaper career, and his now legendary years as an author. Tony also talks about the poverty of his early life, and his adoption, with wife Marie, of several children.

Using the gifts of a talented novelist and reporter, Hillerman draws a brilliant portrait not just of his life, but of the world around him. Relating his life story with generous intelligence, gritty honesty, and above all, a lack of sentimentality, he has written about an era rich in context and anecdote.

FROM THE CRITICS

New York Daily News

[Tony Hillerman] commits his own world—and his optimist's attitude—to the page.

Glenn Giffin

Hillerman reveals the real author...a great yarn. —Denver Post

NY Daily News

[Tony Hillerman] commits his own world—and his optimist's attitude—to the page.

New York Times Book Review

A splendid and disarming remembrance of things past.

Library Journal