A bunch of old-timers are sitting around drinking beer in The Ranchmen’s Saloon in the tiny hamlet of Manyberries complaining about taxes and the government. But first impressions are deceptive. This is not mere tavern talk – these are some of the sharpest political commentators anywhere. Listen closely and you’ll find scalpel-sharp dissections of double-talk, political correctness, hypocrisy and lazy thinking. Nobody is spared: inept and uncaring governments, both federal and provincial; self-serving politicians demanding credit and glory without having earned it; everyday guys who always want more than their share and more than they give; and members of the media whose stock in trade is trivia at the expense of real news. The result is a refreshing antidote to political correctness, sloppy thinking and lazy journalism.

As the Leacock jury said about And God Created Manyberries when it was short listed for the Stephen Leacock Memorial Award for Humour: “With sharp wit, bold characterization and a keen eye for observing what is important – and funny – to Canadians, Ron Wood once again caricatures the political leadership and the small town foibles of this country. Sounds rather Leacock-ian doesn’t it?

• Shortlisted: Howard O’Hagan Award for Short Fiction
• Shortlisted: Stephen Leacock Memorial Medal