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Should the Tent Be Burning Like That?: A Professional Amateur's Guide to the Outdoors
“Bill Heavey is one of the best magazine writers in America. No, he doesn’t work for the New Yorker. He writes for Field & Stream, the popular journal for hunters and fishermen.”—Danny Heitman, Wall Street Journal
“Bill Heavey is my favorite writer. When I die, I want him to gut me, stuff me, and deliver my eulogy for one good last laugh.”—Ted Nugent
Maybe the best way to explain Bill Heavey’s writing is to note that both Ted Nugent and the Wall Street Journal—two entities rarely seen in the same sentence—like it. For more than twenty years, Heavey has staked a claim as one of America’s best sportsmen writers. In feature stories and his Field & Stream column “A Sportsman’s Life,” among other publications, he has taken readers across the country and beyond to experience his triumphs and failures as a suburban dad who happens to love hunting and fishing. This new collection gathers together a wide range of his best work. He nearly drowns attempting to fish the pond inside the cloverleaf off an Interstate Highway four miles from the White House. He rents and crashes a 44-foot houseboat on a river in Florida. On a manic weeklong deer archery hunt in Ohio, he finds it necessary to practice by shooting arrows into his motel room’s phonebook (The blunt penetrates all the way to page 358, “KITCHEN CABINET—REFACING & REFINISHING.”) Accompanying a shaggy steelhead fanatic—Mikey, who has no job or fixed address but owns four boats—on a thousand-mile odyssey up and down the California coast in search of fishable water, he realizes that Mikey is a purer soul than almost anyone he has ever met. Whatever the subject, Heavey’s tales are odes to the notion that enthusiasm is more important than skill, and a testament to the enduring power of the natural world. Whether he’s hunting mule deer in Montana, draining cash on an overpriced pistol, or ruminating on the joys and agonies of outdoor gear, Heavey always entertains and enlightens with honesty and wit.
“Bill Heavey is my favorite writer. When I die, I want him to gut me, stuff me, and deliver my eulogy for one good last laugh.”—Ted Nugent
Maybe the best way to explain Bill Heavey’s writing is to note that both Ted Nugent and the Wall Street Journal—two entities rarely seen in the same sentence—like it. For more than twenty years, Heavey has staked a claim as one of America’s best sportsmen writers. In feature stories and his Field & Stream column “A Sportsman’s Life,” among other publications, he has taken readers across the country and beyond to experience his triumphs and failures as a suburban dad who happens to love hunting and fishing. This new collection gathers together a wide range of his best work. He nearly drowns attempting to fish the pond inside the cloverleaf off an Interstate Highway four miles from the White House. He rents and crashes a 44-foot houseboat on a river in Florida. On a manic weeklong deer archery hunt in Ohio, he finds it necessary to practice by shooting arrows into his motel room’s phonebook (The blunt penetrates all the way to page 358, “KITCHEN CABINET—REFACING & REFINISHING.”) Accompanying a shaggy steelhead fanatic—Mikey, who has no job or fixed address but owns four boats—on a thousand-mile odyssey up and down the California coast in search of fishable water, he realizes that Mikey is a purer soul than almost anyone he has ever met. Whatever the subject, Heavey’s tales are odes to the notion that enthusiasm is more important than skill, and a testament to the enduring power of the natural world. Whether he’s hunting mule deer in Montana, draining cash on an overpriced pistol, or ruminating on the joys and agonies of outdoor gear, Heavey always entertains and enlightens with honesty and wit.
1 pages, Audio CD
First published December 5, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
September 9, 2017
What a fantastic book!
I’ve never read Field & Stream, and I’m not American so the name Heavey didn’t mean anything to me. I picked it because I wanted to understand what a modern hunter feels like. This book is so much more than that.
Heavey is like Simon Carmiggelt, Giovanni Guareschi and James Herrriot in that he tells stories that are by turn hilarious, sad, thought provoking and purely entertaining.
Although hunting, shooting and fishing is the dominant theme, he also talks about his family and friends, including love, sickness, health and divorce. This thoroughly messy book is a true celebration of life.
Most of all, I loved the ‘hardcore and hapless’ angle. Heavey is incredibly funny. He had me in stitches with his descriptions of brilliant ideas gone wrong, and his turn of phrase “a lifestyle I’m planning on bear hugging as soon as I win the lottery” and more, is simply delightful. This is definitely a man you want to go drinking with.
I went into this to discover the mentality that goes with the hunting, shooting, fishing crowd. Heavey devotes quite a bit of the book to this, and I found it fascinating. I’m still totally conflicted on the topic but I’d say, even if you are anti-hunting, you should give this a go.
I’m going to buy the other books.
I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley and am reviewing voluntarily
I’ve never read Field & Stream, and I’m not American so the name Heavey didn’t mean anything to me. I picked it because I wanted to understand what a modern hunter feels like. This book is so much more than that.
Heavey is like Simon Carmiggelt, Giovanni Guareschi and James Herrriot in that he tells stories that are by turn hilarious, sad, thought provoking and purely entertaining.
Although hunting, shooting and fishing is the dominant theme, he also talks about his family and friends, including love, sickness, health and divorce. This thoroughly messy book is a true celebration of life.
Most of all, I loved the ‘hardcore and hapless’ angle. Heavey is incredibly funny. He had me in stitches with his descriptions of brilliant ideas gone wrong, and his turn of phrase “a lifestyle I’m planning on bear hugging as soon as I win the lottery” and more, is simply delightful. This is definitely a man you want to go drinking with.
I went into this to discover the mentality that goes with the hunting, shooting, fishing crowd. Heavey devotes quite a bit of the book to this, and I found it fascinating. I’m still totally conflicted on the topic but I’d say, even if you are anti-hunting, you should give this a go.
I’m going to buy the other books.
I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley and am reviewing voluntarily
April 27, 2025
Bill Heavey's "Should the Tent Be Burning Like That?" is a collection of Heavy columns for Field and Stream. In them Heavey recounts stories of particular outings he has taken part in and profiles a number of interesting characters he's encountered. Humor is a central element of many of these stories but many of them involve his long term, and sometimes brand new, friendships he's made, his relationship with his daughter, and his fishing and hunting. He profiles fellow outdoors men and women who, collectively, are some of the most unique and interesting folks. His stories are not as wild as Tim Cahill's, sharper than Tim Bodet, and not as laugh out loud funny as Patrick McManus but each one rings true and the reader gets a very good sense of what drives Heavey's obsession.
Highly recommended for anyone who fishes, hunts, or just enjoys the outdoors. It does contain a couple of successful hunting outings but they are pretty well sanitized; he doesn't, for instance, go into any detail about field dressing wildlife he's harvested or even cleaning the fish he's caught. But if you are put off by hunting and/or hunters you may still enjoy "Should the Tent Be Burning" as Heavey does address anti-hunting sentiments with surprising honesty and sympathy. He is discovering the same thing I did that eventually caused me to stop hunting and that is the observation that as he's gotten older his empathy has grown. Not just toward wildlife but in life in general. The excitement and pride that comes from a successful hunt is slowly replaced with a sort of sadness and and a evolving respect for nature and her creatures. Funny, touching, and revealing, "Should the Tent Be Burning Like That" was very much worth my time.
Highly recommended for anyone who fishes, hunts, or just enjoys the outdoors. It does contain a couple of successful hunting outings but they are pretty well sanitized; he doesn't, for instance, go into any detail about field dressing wildlife he's harvested or even cleaning the fish he's caught. But if you are put off by hunting and/or hunters you may still enjoy "Should the Tent Be Burning" as Heavey does address anti-hunting sentiments with surprising honesty and sympathy. He is discovering the same thing I did that eventually caused me to stop hunting and that is the observation that as he's gotten older his empathy has grown. Not just toward wildlife but in life in general. The excitement and pride that comes from a successful hunt is slowly replaced with a sort of sadness and and a evolving respect for nature and her creatures. Funny, touching, and revealing, "Should the Tent Be Burning Like That" was very much worth my time.
December 15, 2017
I know… out of all the books I give THIS book 5 out of 5?! Well, you’ll just have to read it for yourself to realise why. This book was everything; Funny, emotional, interesting, dramatic, and full of amazing characters! I know that being a book supposedly about outdoors stuff like hunting and fishing people may think that the content just isn’t for them but… I’m pleading you, GIVE IT A CHANCE! I was a vegetarian for 13 years and now I have lived with a hunter for 10 years, so this book was the best of both worlds. Many things reminded me of my boyfriend,
“The hardest part for me is acknowledging that I own more hunting and fishing gear than anyone who has not already appeared on Hoarding: Buried Alive. It’s as if some minister told me at an early age, “We enter and exit this world with nothing. In between, a man’s spiritual salvation depends on getting as much of Cabela’s catalogue into his house as possible”
“I don’t own a single waterfowl decoy, but I do have a huge Primos decoy bag, a perfect place to store my thirty pounds of old tree-stand harnesses. Most are from the torso-only days, before we knew that hanging from your armpits kills you just a bit more slowly than hanging from your neck. The point is that there’s sixty yards of good nylon webbing and seat belt buckles in there. What is I suddenly need to make, say, a really secure canoe seat for a keg of beer? A man wants to be prepared for things like that.”
There were things that reminded me why I came to the conclusion that hunting isn’t as awful as I used to think it was (and is really better than what animals go through before they wind up in our grocery store… but, that’s another story)
“I flashed on the first buck I had killed with a bow. The euphoria of mastery, of besting a wild thing at its own game. I’d dipped a toe into the river that day, been initiated into the mystery and knowledge that all life feeds on other life. It had been both wonderful and terrible, humbling and pride inducing. I remembered being immensely relieved to discover that it hadn’t been wrong to kill.”
“But I had to admit that, like life, hunting was turning out to be a lot more complicated than I’d thought. Memory really doesn’t give a damn what you think. At the yard sale of the mind, memory is the whack job who shows up and ransacks every box-driving off the paying customers- and yelps in triumph at striking gold: an old VFW flyswatter bespattered with its kills. Memory has a mind of its own.”
But, It is a very emotional book as he tells about how an ordinary deer stand can somehow turn itself into a spiritually powerful place, where you can climb in complete strangers and come down hours later knowing things about each other that even your best friends don’t know, and he shares some of these poignant stories of loss.
There is something for everyone in this book and I thank Netgalley and Grove Atlantic, Atlantic Monthly Press for giving me and Advanced copy of this book in exchange for and hanest review. and, honestly, I LOVED IT!
“The hardest part for me is acknowledging that I own more hunting and fishing gear than anyone who has not already appeared on Hoarding: Buried Alive. It’s as if some minister told me at an early age, “We enter and exit this world with nothing. In between, a man’s spiritual salvation depends on getting as much of Cabela’s catalogue into his house as possible”
“I don’t own a single waterfowl decoy, but I do have a huge Primos decoy bag, a perfect place to store my thirty pounds of old tree-stand harnesses. Most are from the torso-only days, before we knew that hanging from your armpits kills you just a bit more slowly than hanging from your neck. The point is that there’s sixty yards of good nylon webbing and seat belt buckles in there. What is I suddenly need to make, say, a really secure canoe seat for a keg of beer? A man wants to be prepared for things like that.”
There were things that reminded me why I came to the conclusion that hunting isn’t as awful as I used to think it was (and is really better than what animals go through before they wind up in our grocery store… but, that’s another story)
“I flashed on the first buck I had killed with a bow. The euphoria of mastery, of besting a wild thing at its own game. I’d dipped a toe into the river that day, been initiated into the mystery and knowledge that all life feeds on other life. It had been both wonderful and terrible, humbling and pride inducing. I remembered being immensely relieved to discover that it hadn’t been wrong to kill.”
“But I had to admit that, like life, hunting was turning out to be a lot more complicated than I’d thought. Memory really doesn’t give a damn what you think. At the yard sale of the mind, memory is the whack job who shows up and ransacks every box-driving off the paying customers- and yelps in triumph at striking gold: an old VFW flyswatter bespattered with its kills. Memory has a mind of its own.”
But, It is a very emotional book as he tells about how an ordinary deer stand can somehow turn itself into a spiritually powerful place, where you can climb in complete strangers and come down hours later knowing things about each other that even your best friends don’t know, and he shares some of these poignant stories of loss.
There is something for everyone in this book and I thank Netgalley and Grove Atlantic, Atlantic Monthly Press for giving me and Advanced copy of this book in exchange for and hanest review. and, honestly, I LOVED IT!
February 28, 2018
I haven’t been into humorous essays much as an adult, although I loved Erma Bombeck and similar writers as a kid. The closest I’ve come lately has been the series of books by Black authors I’m reading, and I’m checking those out more to find out how to be a better ally to them and their kids than I have been in the past. But Bill Heavey’s book is like the stereotypical male version of Bombeck and the sadly-forgotten Teresa Bloomingdale: where they were talking about the insanity of being a woman in the 60s and 70s and raising kids, he’s talking about fishing and hunting. He’s just as inept as they are, but he’s an outdoorsman, dammit!
Full disclaimer: I am a carnivore but say a thanks for the spirits of the animals and plants that feed me. I know I could never take the life of another being - I fished once when I was ten before it dawned on me that the fish I caught and later ate was something I killed. Now, knowing, I’d be happy fishing catch-and-release to get outside, and target shooting with a bow and arrow is great fun, but that’s it. I am aware of and acknowledge, that we have taken out natural predators and created habitat for deer and other wildlife that makes them overpopulate and ends up with starvation and encounters with traffic. As a result, I’m willing to consider culling as a solution, but I admit it leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
All this means I was fully prepared to dislike Heavey’s book. I was pleased to discover that, while I am not its target audience, Heavey himself is not always all that blasé about hunting. He enjoys getting out in the fresh air and stalking or waiting for deer or turkeys or what have you to come by, of course. But he admits more than once in different essays that he thanks the kill, that he feels ambivalent about it, and that he thinks far more outdoorsfolk feel the same than are willing to admit it. That was frankly refreshing to read!
Heavey also makes a point of lauding the skills of the best in the business. Many of the essays are about him getting to learn from them. They universally seem to be rolling their eyes, but he does a great job of showing what kind of person is interested in getting out there and trying to keep old ways alive in spite of the incredible tech currently available to a hunter or fisher.
He also discusses his relationship with his only child, a daughter. He is trying to raise her to enjoy the same things he does, and hope flares for him when - you guessed it! - The Hunger Games comes out. (He gives his own review of the books as well.) Over the course of mocking himself, though, he acknowledges that she is very much her own person. I am happy to say that he never once looks down on her.
I am giving this one a surprising four of five, unless you are a vegetarian for ethical reasons, in which case you will hate it and should absolutely skip it.
Full disclaimer: I am a carnivore but say a thanks for the spirits of the animals and plants that feed me. I know I could never take the life of another being - I fished once when I was ten before it dawned on me that the fish I caught and later ate was something I killed. Now, knowing, I’d be happy fishing catch-and-release to get outside, and target shooting with a bow and arrow is great fun, but that’s it. I am aware of and acknowledge, that we have taken out natural predators and created habitat for deer and other wildlife that makes them overpopulate and ends up with starvation and encounters with traffic. As a result, I’m willing to consider culling as a solution, but I admit it leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
All this means I was fully prepared to dislike Heavey’s book. I was pleased to discover that, while I am not its target audience, Heavey himself is not always all that blasé about hunting. He enjoys getting out in the fresh air and stalking or waiting for deer or turkeys or what have you to come by, of course. But he admits more than once in different essays that he thanks the kill, that he feels ambivalent about it, and that he thinks far more outdoorsfolk feel the same than are willing to admit it. That was frankly refreshing to read!
Heavey also makes a point of lauding the skills of the best in the business. Many of the essays are about him getting to learn from them. They universally seem to be rolling their eyes, but he does a great job of showing what kind of person is interested in getting out there and trying to keep old ways alive in spite of the incredible tech currently available to a hunter or fisher.
He also discusses his relationship with his only child, a daughter. He is trying to raise her to enjoy the same things he does, and hope flares for him when - you guessed it! - The Hunger Games comes out. (He gives his own review of the books as well.) Over the course of mocking himself, though, he acknowledges that she is very much her own person. I am happy to say that he never once looks down on her.
I am giving this one a surprising four of five, unless you are a vegetarian for ethical reasons, in which case you will hate it and should absolutely skip it.
January 3, 2018
I read an advanced release of this book via NetGalley edition.
I enjoyed each individual column. Bill has a healthy take on hunting and fishing, and despite his self-admitted addiction to fishing tackle, he has a good perspective on what amounts to an alternate lifestyle in this day and age.
I haven't fished in years, but this brought back to me what I loved about it.
Bill's writing style is friendly and conversational, and the essays seem to flow one into another with ease.
(In fact, the edition that I read was missing column breaks, and I often didn't realize that I had moved from one column to another on a different subject. This is intended as a compliment to the smoothness of his writing style).
I enjoyed each individual column. Bill has a healthy take on hunting and fishing, and despite his self-admitted addiction to fishing tackle, he has a good perspective on what amounts to an alternate lifestyle in this day and age.
I haven't fished in years, but this brought back to me what I loved about it.
Bill's writing style is friendly and conversational, and the essays seem to flow one into another with ease.
(In fact, the edition that I read was missing column breaks, and I often didn't realize that I had moved from one column to another on a different subject. This is intended as a compliment to the smoothness of his writing style).
August 8, 2021
I have a secret wish to be an outdoor’s girl. Until that happens I will enjoy Bill’s books. Laugh out loud funny!! So much to love about these essays.
August 22, 2018
I feel I should start by pointing out that I don’t hunt or fish and the closest I’ve ever come to guns is the .22 I shot in scout camp. I stumbled across this collection of essays while searching my library collection for a Patrick McManus book and decided to give it a try. Heavey offers an often humorous look at a world I have very little to do with. It was an education of a decidedly painless variety and while I don’t expect to run off and buy a shotgun or a fishing rod, I really enjoyed Heavey’s experiences learning how to be more effective with both. If you’re curious about what life would be like if you spent more time in the woods, you might want to give this thoughtful collection a try.
July 20, 2023
Funny stuff - not a Field & Stream reader nor does hunting interest me, so there was a lot to skip over, but I’m glad I read one of Heavey’s collections of short essays. I enjoyed the chapters on fishing and he has a very readable sense of humor in regards to human nature.
February 20, 2023
I must confess that I did not finish this book, as it was too sports and hunting related for me to grasp on to. That said, I did get halfway through, and there were some funny bits.
"'Whenever I walk into a big-box sporting goods store, it feels like a camera locks on to my wallet, looking for ways to drain it. You want a nice compound bow, a two-man fully enclosed blind, a fishing kayak? Right this way. But the low-dollar stuff you actually need--a tube of string wax, a dozen field points--is almost always sold out."
He continues on in the chapter comparing that big box experience with a small timer bait and tackle shop.
"I had to talk to the boss. His story wasn't complicated. Tony and his wife, Dee, never had kids. Their house was right across the street. He told me they 'did the country club thing' for a few years but decided it wasn't for them. 'We walk the dog, have a beer now and then, grow tomatoes. We're not flashy people.' They own both the shop and the house house free and clear. They're in here seven days a week.
Why? 'Because I'd rather be here and anywhere else. It's like a garden or something. After you build it, you want to sit in it and enjoy it.'
I asked if he fishes. 'Sure, but not that much. I listen to my customers' stories about catching fish. To me, that's better than any fish I could ever catch.'
He was unlike any salesman I'd ever met. I didn't understand what made him tick. Then it hit me. Tony loves his store the way I love fishing. It is a business and he is a businessman. But he is playing the long game. He doesn't just want to sell you something today; he wants you as a customer for life. He wants you to succeed. Because that means he has contributed to your success. And that gives him something you can't buy or sell--a purpose, a sense of connection. Pride is involved, of course. but it isn't the look-at-me kind. It's about running things the way his father and grandfather had, not profitably but well, aiming higher than the bottom line. It is abut honor.
I suddenly realized I was late and left. Later I remembered I'd forgotten the hooks. That was okay. I had a hunch I'd be back."
"'Whenever I walk into a big-box sporting goods store, it feels like a camera locks on to my wallet, looking for ways to drain it. You want a nice compound bow, a two-man fully enclosed blind, a fishing kayak? Right this way. But the low-dollar stuff you actually need--a tube of string wax, a dozen field points--is almost always sold out."
He continues on in the chapter comparing that big box experience with a small timer bait and tackle shop.
"I had to talk to the boss. His story wasn't complicated. Tony and his wife, Dee, never had kids. Their house was right across the street. He told me they 'did the country club thing' for a few years but decided it wasn't for them. 'We walk the dog, have a beer now and then, grow tomatoes. We're not flashy people.' They own both the shop and the house house free and clear. They're in here seven days a week.
Why? 'Because I'd rather be here and anywhere else. It's like a garden or something. After you build it, you want to sit in it and enjoy it.'
I asked if he fishes. 'Sure, but not that much. I listen to my customers' stories about catching fish. To me, that's better than any fish I could ever catch.'
He was unlike any salesman I'd ever met. I didn't understand what made him tick. Then it hit me. Tony loves his store the way I love fishing. It is a business and he is a businessman. But he is playing the long game. He doesn't just want to sell you something today; he wants you as a customer for life. He wants you to succeed. Because that means he has contributed to your success. And that gives him something you can't buy or sell--a purpose, a sense of connection. Pride is involved, of course. but it isn't the look-at-me kind. It's about running things the way his father and grandfather had, not profitably but well, aiming higher than the bottom line. It is abut honor.
I suddenly realized I was late and left. Later I remembered I'd forgotten the hooks. That was okay. I had a hunch I'd be back."
June 6, 2017
Full disclosure: I’ve never hunt, fished or read a magazine dealing with either. I actually picked this book because I do love the outdoors and camping and I was so glad I did.
Bill Heavey reminds me of a sports version of W. Bruce Cameron or Dave Barry. This book was similar in a lot of ways to a recent one of Cameron’s I read only this is ALL about fishing and hunting.
As someone with no background in the sports I still had no trouble loving the book. I’m sure those who actually know what he’s talking about when it comes to tackle, bows, guns and deer lures can appreciate it more but not having any familiarity with them didn’t stop me from thinking Heavey is a fantastic writer. I ended up waking my husband thanks to laughing so loud at his stories.
If you have an outdoor sports enthusiast this is a must buy for them as they will surely appreciate some of the antics Heavey gets himself into or emphasize with the pitfalls of spending days trying to hunt / fish only to end up with nothing but memories of a great journey in the attempt.
I adored this book and thanks to Heavey’s descriptive prose and talent for writing in a way the common person can understand people from all kinds of backgrounds and interests will find something to love and laugh about in this wonderful collection.
Bill Heavey reminds me of a sports version of W. Bruce Cameron or Dave Barry. This book was similar in a lot of ways to a recent one of Cameron’s I read only this is ALL about fishing and hunting.
As someone with no background in the sports I still had no trouble loving the book. I’m sure those who actually know what he’s talking about when it comes to tackle, bows, guns and deer lures can appreciate it more but not having any familiarity with them didn’t stop me from thinking Heavey is a fantastic writer. I ended up waking my husband thanks to laughing so loud at his stories.
If you have an outdoor sports enthusiast this is a must buy for them as they will surely appreciate some of the antics Heavey gets himself into or emphasize with the pitfalls of spending days trying to hunt / fish only to end up with nothing but memories of a great journey in the attempt.
I adored this book and thanks to Heavey’s descriptive prose and talent for writing in a way the common person can understand people from all kinds of backgrounds and interests will find something to love and laugh about in this wonderful collection.
December 13, 2017
Heavey offers an enjoyable collection of his outdoor writings, many from his editorial work at Field and Stream magazine. Hunting, fishing, canoeing, and living in the out of doors while pursuing these activities makes up the bulk of the subject matter. He adds a number of reminders of the need to use good conservation practices when afield.
His is a self-deprecating portrayal of an obsessed outdoorsman, someone prone to buying all the latest gear, and a bit of a curmudgeon, but essentially a decent human being, particularly as he writes of weekend time spent with his teenage daughter who lives apart with his former wife. His humanity and grudgingly admitted need for some of his many companions, and his affection for them, when they become ill or pass away becomes a repeated theme.
The exploits he writes of involve some equally obsessed woodsmen, but men possessed of much higher skill levels than Heavey himself displays. He shows good humor in making fun of himself.
As an academic does, he shows a layman delight in using the jargon of the trade, which will be
fully understood by fellow outdoorsmen, but rings no bells for his casual readers.
This is a pleasant, humor filled read that can be appreciated on different levels by both outdoor practicioners and armchair admirers (although the latter should be prepared for some verbal prodding).
His is a self-deprecating portrayal of an obsessed outdoorsman, someone prone to buying all the latest gear, and a bit of a curmudgeon, but essentially a decent human being, particularly as he writes of weekend time spent with his teenage daughter who lives apart with his former wife. His humanity and grudgingly admitted need for some of his many companions, and his affection for them, when they become ill or pass away becomes a repeated theme.
The exploits he writes of involve some equally obsessed woodsmen, but men possessed of much higher skill levels than Heavey himself displays. He shows good humor in making fun of himself.
As an academic does, he shows a layman delight in using the jargon of the trade, which will be
fully understood by fellow outdoorsmen, but rings no bells for his casual readers.
This is a pleasant, humor filled read that can be appreciated on different levels by both outdoor practicioners and armchair admirers (although the latter should be prepared for some verbal prodding).
November 6, 2017
It has been a while since I've gone fishing or camping and I've never hunted, but I've been reading Bill Heavey's column in my husband's Field and Stream magazine for quite some time. This book has reproduced popular columns from that magazine and other publications. Bill Heavey's outdoor adventures (and misadventures) from across the U.S. are relatable and are full of his self-deprecating humor. Behind all the humor, it's obvious Heavey knows and loves his subject matter. This is a great collection of his work, with lots of variety, that can be read in any order. The stories are always funny and sometimes touching. Those who enjoy the outdoors and have experiences outings that don't always go as planned will relate to the trial and tribulations, as well as the fun, Heavy describes in his articles.
I received this book from NetGalley through the courtesy of Atlantic Monthly Press. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
I received this book from NetGalley through the courtesy of Atlantic Monthly Press. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
October 5, 2017
I'm definitely not a big "outdoorsy" kind of girl but I do like camping and fishing on occasion. I've not read Field and Steam but, if it contains more creators like Bill Heavey, maybe I should. I found this book hilarious. At times it reminded me of reading Patrick Mcmanus while I was growing up. I absolutely adore his stories and while this book isn't as zany, there's still plenty of room for humor and missteps. Heavey is a bit more dry with his humor while also being an actually decent guide to hinting and fishing. Overall, I enjoyed reading this and would recommend it to anyone, but especially to those with an inclination towards adventure in the outdoors.
I would like to thank the publisher, author, and Netgalley for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
I would like to thank the publisher, author, and Netgalley for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
May 5, 2018
*** Possible spoilers ***
This book is a collection of columns written for Field & Stream magazine. They're mostly about hunting with some fishing and a few miscellaneous. Since I don't hunt and I do fish I would have preferred the ratio to be different but that's neither here nor there. The columns are well-written and interesting. One thing I liked about these articles is that the author didn't restrict himself to describing only those adventures that resulted in success. He tells about going hunting and never seeing game or about going fishing and coming home empty handed. I can relate to the latter. I can recommend this book for those who like the outdoors' life.
This book is a collection of columns written for Field & Stream magazine. They're mostly about hunting with some fishing and a few miscellaneous. Since I don't hunt and I do fish I would have preferred the ratio to be different but that's neither here nor there. The columns are well-written and interesting. One thing I liked about these articles is that the author didn't restrict himself to describing only those adventures that resulted in success. He tells about going hunting and never seeing game or about going fishing and coming home empty handed. I can relate to the latter. I can recommend this book for those who like the outdoors' life.
July 24, 2019
I loved this book! Just the right mix of completely hilarious stories, romantic introspective monologues, and valuable life lessons wrapped in not-soon-to-be-forgotten tales! If you are an outdoor man, this book should be near the top of your list of enjoyable reads for an evening by the campfire or a long drive out to the hunt camp.
Favorite Quote: “As so often happens in life, the truth and immediate gratification don’t overlap. But I want Emma to learn that telling and facing the truth are the best ways to meet the challenges that await her. Which means that I have to model that behavior, even if it stings.”
Favorite Quote: “As so often happens in life, the truth and immediate gratification don’t overlap. But I want Emma to learn that telling and facing the truth are the best ways to meet the challenges that await her. Which means that I have to model that behavior, even if it stings.”
August 5, 2018
I am not a hunter. But I like humor. Dave Barry, Art Hoppe, Erma Bombeck, I like funny. And Bill is pretty darned funny. I also was surprised to find that I didn't really know much about hunting and fishing. Not that I do now. But I at least got an idea of the trouble to which Bill goes to hunt, and some of the rules involved. I enjoyed this book. I _normally_ start reading everything by a given author, and I'm afraid that this one book was perhaps all the book I ever need to read about hunting humor. But I'm glad I read this one.
October 6, 2017
I requested this book as when I am not reading books I am outside in the open air sleeping under canvas.
This is a selection of pieces from the magazine Field and Stream, which I must admit I was not familiar with. This is not a novel and it is possible to dip in and out after each chapter.
It is primarily aimed at the outdoor hunter-fisher but that does not mean that you won't enjoy it if you are not type.
This is a selection of pieces from the magazine Field and Stream, which I must admit I was not familiar with. This is not a novel and it is possible to dip in and out after each chapter.
It is primarily aimed at the outdoor hunter-fisher but that does not mean that you won't enjoy it if you are not type.
May 24, 2020
Hilarious, poignant, and relevant to all outdoorsmen
Heavey's column in Field and Stream is the highlight of each issue. He is an outstanding writer as well as a storyteller, with a gift for words I truly envy. He writes humor to make your eyes ache and stories of personal angst and poignancy to make your heart break. He's open about his feelings in a way you don't expect a columnist for a hook-and-bullet magazine to be. One book not to be missed.
Heavey's column in Field and Stream is the highlight of each issue. He is an outstanding writer as well as a storyteller, with a gift for words I truly envy. He writes humor to make your eyes ache and stories of personal angst and poignancy to make your heart break. He's open about his feelings in a way you don't expect a columnist for a hook-and-bullet magazine to be. One book not to be missed.
January 18, 2021
I asked my local library for a bundle of books from a few different genres including humor. This was one they selected for me. I grew up in the south and have done quite a bit of deer hunting but I’m not much of a fisherman. There was a lot of fish talk that I had difficulty understanding. If you are an avid fisherman and hunt as well you would probably enjoy this one. I hard a hard time getting through it but I didn’t give up.
July 21, 2021
Pretty good book. Most stories kept my attention and even when they didn't, they were short and it was no big deal to stick it out until the next began. I never knew how hilarious or well traveled Bill is.. guess I should be on the lookout for some of his other collections. The nice thing about this collection is that they vary from hunting and fishing.. then occasionally it's just a lesson in morals... or a hilarious list.
February 15, 2018
I never thought there would be a book that could make me WANT to read Field & Stream magazine but I have been proven wrong. Bill Heavey is a very funny guy and I found myself laughing out loud repeatedly. It's a collection of his various columns from the magazine on fishing, hunting, outdoor life with sprinklings of home life. I enjoyed it quite a bit.
April 17, 2018
Checked this out of the library for my husband but then ended up reading it myself & enjoyed it much more than I thought I would. Was certainly a lot more fishing & hunting than I usually read but he had enough humor & family & general being outdoors to make it readable & enjoyable for a non-hunter/non-fisher like myself
May 11, 2018
I was expecting a title more hands on about how you should spend time outside. And ways to camp well. Instead I read a fun memoir by an outdoor magazine writer. It was fun window into his life and the different experiences he has had fishing and hunting but different than what I expected but enjoyable.
July 24, 2021
Mostly short chapters, apparently articles he had written for magazines, mostly Field & Stream. Despite the fact that I am obviously not inclined to either hunt or fish, and though I didn’t understand one whit of the hunter/fisher-speak referring to hardware or technique in this book, it was often laugh-out-loud funny and occasionally poignant.
Good read.
Good read.
April 12, 2022
I'm not an outdoorswoman but the title and cartoon cover of this book had me interested. It was a fun read of his articles from past magazine features. Some laugh out loud moments and some wise wisdom moments and heartfelt family advice. Just a good ole guy enjoying what our ancestors have done for centuries but without all the expensive and elaborative equipment
September 5, 2025
Bill Heavey regales the reader with humorous accounts of his misadventures in the outdoors. I found myself chuckling my way through this book. Even though I did not know anything about the equipment he mentions that was no impediment to enjoying his escapades and could heartily relate to his interactions with his teenage daughter.
August 7, 2017
Funny! A collection of the author's articles written for Field and Stream magazine. If you love hunting and fishing, you will really enjoy this book. Heavey is a very entertaining and funny writer.
August 15, 2017
A hilarious look at outdoor life in the form of his articles for Field and Stream. He reminds me of The Outdoor Man and Dave Barry. This was one of those sitting in the deer blind telling tales kind of books and I enjoyed it!
Dec. 5th netgalley/Atlantic Monthly Press
Dec. 5th netgalley/Atlantic Monthly Press
December 21, 2017
As might be expected in a collection of columns, this is pretty hit and miss. When he tries to be funny, he misses much more than he hits. But when the love of the outdoors takes over, he is as good as it gets.
June 17, 2018
I don't hunt or fish and know nothing about all the gear Heavey writes about, but I found this book very humorous and entertaining. I appreciate his views about enjoying the experience no matter the outcome of the hunt.
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