The mail has been delivered by pigeons in ancient Persia (and during war time in Europe), camels in Australia, reindeer in Russia, and pneumatic tubes running under New York City, Boston, St. Louis, Chicago, and Philadelphia. There were Post Office Streetcars in Baltimore, mules in the Grand Canyon (see February 7, 2015), reindeer in Finland ...

That mail had to be put somewhere. For a fun look at some of the more interesting and creative mail boxes along rural routes try R.F.D. Country! Mailboxes and Post Offices of Rural America, by Bill and Sarah Thornbrook.

They Carried the Mail: a Survey of Postal History & Hobbies, by Mathew J. Bowyer was a nice look back at the development of the U.S. Postal System. There were dull moments mostly dealing with all the politics (good grief!) and fun moments when learning about what makes a stamp valuable. Also, dogs are not the most dangerous thing along a carrier's route ... seems sometimes 'interesting' things are sent in the mail (think snakes, spiders, bodily fluids).

For some mail themed mysteries try Murder Most Postal: Homicidal Tales That Deliver a Message, edited by Martin H. Greenberg. From the grisly to the cozy, historical to recent (well, sort of, remember computer punch cards?), even one by the editor himself, who is an author, too!

I have found one more book on the mail that looks most interesting, but it's not due out until June so I've opted not to wait to post this. Besides, I could have found more books on this trail by then, too! :-)

Reading Hermit With Dog