Shaking the Nickel Bush chronicles the adventures of nineteen-year-old Ralph Moody as he embarks on a new chapter filled with hardship, innovation, and sheer determination. Skinny and battling diabetes, Moody leaves behind the comfort (or lack thereof) of Boston for the untamed landscapes of the American West. His journey is not just one of physical survival but also of self-discovery, resilience, and creativity.

Amidst the backdrop of 1918, Moody takes on odd jobs to make ends meet while navigating the challenges of securing essential nutrition in a harsh environment. His resourcefulness leads him to take up stunt riding for a movie company, where he faces dangerous yet thrilling opportunities. Alongside his improvident companion Lonnie, they venture into the Arizona canyons, where their survival hinges on their ability to “shake the nickel bush” — an inventive term that encapsulates their entrepreneurial spirit in sculpting plaster busts of local figures for profit.

With the aptly named Ford vehicle Shiftless serving as both their home and a means of transport, Moody and his friend traverse the Southwest, painting vivid pictures of life during that era. For new readers eager to explore Ralph Moody’s world or those who have followed his earlier adventures in Little Britches and Man of the Family, this book offers an engaging continuation of his remarkable story.