‘Dog the Bounty Hunter’ tells of struggles in new book

You mention the name “Dog the Bounty Hunter” and nearly everyone knows who you are talking about. But does anyone really know who Duane “Dog” Chapman really is?

In his new book, “Where Mercy Is Shown, Mercy Is Given,” Chapman, star of the A&E reality show “Dog the Bounty Hunter,” along with co-writer Laura Morton, gives his fans another inside look at the life of the most recognizable bounty hunter in the United States.

In his first book, “You Can Run, But You Cannot Hide,” Chapman told the story of his past, how he was a gang member, a convicted felon who served 18 months in a Texas prison, how he turned his life around and became a bail bondsman and a bounty hunter. He also recalled some of his more famous busts, including his capture of Max Factor cosmetics heir Andrew Luster.

In the new book, Chapman spends a great many pages telling about his legal struggles resulting from his capture of Luster in Mexico, including being arrested for kidnapping (which was later reduced to deprivation of liberty) and how it took years to clear his name. The financial impact of the legal dealings nearly sent Chapman into bankruptcy and almost cost him his business, but he was finally cleared of all charges.

Chapman also tells about the highly publicized accusations of racism leveled against him after his son Tucker sold a recorded phone conversation — in which his father called Tucker's black girlfriend by a politically incorrect name — to the National Enquirer tabloid magazine. This incident set off a firestorm that would cause the A&E network to pull his television show off the air and would have Chapman scrambling to save his reputation.

But Chapman seems to have a guardian angel watching over him, and he once again turned a terrible situation into something positive, getting his show back and continuing his life as a bounty hunter.

The book also reveals Chapman’s devotion to his family and his deep concern for how the events in his life affect his children (all 12 of them!) and his wife, Beth. No matter what you think of “Dog,” you've got to admire his dedication to his kids and the woman who keeps him on an even keel. (I personally would love to read Beth Chapman’s side of the story — I bet that would be interesting!)

Filled with photographs of Chapman’s family, a few remembrances of memorable busts and written in an easily read style, “Where Mercy Is Shown, Mercy Is Given” is an interesting look into a charismatic guy’s life both in front of the camera and off.