Growing up in Ohio, I experienced a multitude of rare shopping cart experiences such as seeing them on large snow banks, in woods, and even in bodies of water. Julian Montague explores and scientifically categorizes these specimens in “The Stray Shopping Carts of Eastern North America: A Guide to Field Identification”.



Initially, I thought “The Stray Shopping Carts of Eastern North America” was simply a clever, artistic, coffee table book which would feature photos of shopping carts in various lo

Growing up in Ohio, I experienced a multitude of rare shopping cart experiences such as seeing them on large snow banks, in woods, and even in bodies of water. Julian Montague explores and scientifically categorizes these specimens in “The Stray Shopping Carts of Eastern North America: A Guide to Field Identification”.



Initially, I thought “The Stray Shopping Carts of Eastern North America” was simply a clever, artistic, coffee table book which would feature photos of shopping carts in various locales and states of disrepair. Although the book does contain hundreds of full-color, glossy photos of shopping carts; it is much more than a book only worth a chuckle. Montague’s work is surprisingly scientific and is comprised of six years of research.



Beginning with an introduction which explains the field guide’s distinctions of identifying specimens based on situations/conditions (as opposed to lineage), concepts/terminology, examples, and the geographical habitat of the specimens studied; “The Stray Shopping Carts of Eastern North America” then divides into two sections of shopping cart classes: (1) False Strays (2) True Strays. Montague then dives deeper and explains the various types under the classes. Supplemented by photos, Montague’s system is clear, direct, and based on scientific methods. The distinctions make sense logically for those who have lived/currently live in these habitats. Again, “The Stray Shopping Carts of Eastern North America” is not just a book you will find in ‘Urban Outfitters’ stores.



Although the guide targets the Eastern United States, it can be applied to any region (give or take certain types such as those involving snow). Montague inspires readers to utilize the guide for their own habitat and will result in readers never “looking at shopping carts the same again”.



After Montague describes the various specimen types, photos of the specimens with the type symbols fill the next section. Some of the specimens are common while others are very unique shopping cart situations. The negative characteristic of this section is that the reader is inclined to flip back and forth between the ‘type’ pages because otherwise the symbols are not understood (unless the reader takes the time to memorize them). This can become inconvenient and break concentration. On the other hand, if the symbols are learned, “The Stray Shopping Carts of Eastern North America” allows the reader to be able to seek out specimens based on source locations versus seeing a shopping cart first and then identifying it in a secondary step.



The conclusion of “The Stray Shopping Carts of Eastern North America” is somewhat choppy and unrelated, without necessarily synching with the rest of the field guide. It almost appears that Montague wanted to include other notes and findings without a clear way to do so.



“The Stray Shopping Carts of Eastern North America” is a “fun” read but also one which makes standard viewing of the urban world more artistic and filled with depth. Art mixed with science; Montague’s book will inspire one to re-think shopping carts.

