For sixty years, Arizona native Jim Cook has been writing about the Grand Canyon state in newspapers, magazines, and books. In 2005, Jim and his brother Dean, a songwriter and storyteller, were named Arizona Culturekeepers for their work in keeping alive the lore of Arizona. After a long career in journalism, Jim became the Official State Liar of Arizona. He is director of the Wickenburg Institute for Factual Diversity, which is a think tank for recreational liars, and a treatment center for recovering newspapermen. He also edits the institute's organ, "The Journal of Prevarication." Long-term readers of Jim's tall tales often complain that they can't tell where truth ends and lies begin. "Half a Sack of Cats" is factual. It tells of Jim's unlikely childhood in Arizona, as Arizona used to be. Honest.