How I Got This Way

by Patrick F. McManus

Patrick McManus, the bestselling author of such hilarious books as A Fine and Pleasant Misery and Never Sniff a Gift Fish , now offers readers solid thoughts on the qualities that define leadership, beginning with the need to be tall, and much more, in this outrageous collection of short pieces that reveals his tortuous trip along the writer's path.

Genres: Humor, Nonfiction, Comedy, Adventure, Memoir, Outdoors, Nature

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

Patrick F. McManus is an American outdoor humor writer. A humor columnist for Outdoor Life and other magazines, his columns have been collected in several books.

Reviews

[Jerry]

This is my second time reading through all of Patrick McManus' books and they were just as good the second time around...I managed to read them all during the course of the year mixed in with all the other books I have read. He is truly a treasure! So many of the things he writes about I see in my own life, including trips to the crick.

[Kristin- Kristin's Bookstack]

This is a good book to read when you don't want to ponder over what you are reading or you feel like reading but don't have a lot of time to devote to a whole book. Each chapter is a different story about the author's life as an outdoorsman. Warning: You WILL laugh your head off!!

[Kevin Keating]

This guy had me rolling in laughter a few times. Great humor along the lines of Dave Barry but different in a more countrified way. Outdoorsy. Moving on to his next book Fine and Pleasant Misery. After reading it on vacation I left a copy in my son's bookcase because I know he'd like it.

[Rocky Curtiss]

Perhaps the funniest writer America has ever produced, McManus tells story after story how he got this way. A dangerous book to read in bed, if your married, just before lights out because even after closing the book, uncontrollable giggles keep on going.

[Jim Fromm]

My Hero

Patrick McManus is my hero and he has been for over twenty years. His concise technical language, and professional pursuit of each endeavor is truly an inspiration. Patrick and his cadre of elitist friends, who treat each activity as a work of art, humble my most well planned efforts. There is no possibility me or one of my struggling companions will ever measure up to their benchmark. Every outdoor pursuit should have a standard bearer of this caliber. Mr McManus also writes.

[Serena]

My Rating System:
* couldn't finish, ** wouldn't recommend, *** would recommend, **** would read again, ***** have read again.

[Paul Olkowski]

This is a Guy's book, Flat Out. If you are into hunting, fishing or getting lost in the mountains and the woods ,you will enjoy these 27 short stories about the fictional accounts of Pat McManus's mastery of all things outdoors. There are a number of laugh out loud moments here, so watch out where you read this. You don't want to be reading it on the morning train to work and start to laugh uncontrollably. What will people think of you? They will think your nuts, that's what!
McManus would be right at home with Garrison Keillor. They both have the ability to instantly set the stage and reel you in with a quick line to keep your ear listing or reading until the end. The stories are only about 9 pages long so a 10 to 15 minute read is all it takes to kill one off and put a smile on your face or a warm feeling in your heart. You'll want more after finishing this book. I know I did. It is always good to read at least 1 book like this a year. Everyone needs to kill some of the stress in their mind from time to time. This book did it for me. I hope it will do it for you too.
4 stars for How I got This Way.

[Jay French]

I greatly enjoy the audio versions of McManus’ books narrated by George S. Irving. The best parts of these books are truly the funniest recordings I’ve heard. It’s nice to read some of the source material for these audios, and “How I Got This Way” contains 27 of McManus’ articles of the same ilk. I can help but hear George Irving’s voice in my head when I read any story about Retch McSweeney, Rancid Crabtree, Crazy Eddie Muldoon, and company. I enjoy those stories in McManus’ collections the most. McManus captures the feeling of kids with free time and the ability to think of something to do, usually dangerous. Reminds me of growing up in the country, without a preponderance of pre-scheduled activities. My favorite, a Crazy Eddie story called “The Big Woods”. An excellent collection.

[John Winkelman]

I loved Patrick McManus books and essays as a kid. I even tell people that he is one of my writing inspirations, but I had trouble through the first few chapters wondering to myself how I liked it so much in the past. Maybe I regressed as I continued through the book, but I found the second half of his stories much more enjoyable. I am glad to have this selection in my collection of humor books.

“You can spill coffee on a newspaper today without much danger of wetting a fact, although you’ll drown a lot of quotes.”

[Sarah Piper]

How I Got This Way is just the best short story of this book ... and I love the premise behind this selection of short stories that they are things that really have created the man behind the words.

Between hiking with President Bush to taking Old Man Ed on his last camping trip to my favorite story involving Retch and the blue dress ... just hilarious as always.

[Anthony]

The author writes a two part memoir of his life, but in between parts one and two he provides twenty-five short humorous tales filled with antidotes, witticism, and over the top lies and yarns, that will keep the reader trying to unravel fact from fiction involving, camping, fishing, hiking, hunting, and other outdoor adventures.

[Chelfea]

I reread this one the last few evenings in memory of the author, who died a few weeks ago and whose short stories were basically seminal works of my childhood. Here's to authors who make us laugh and help us see the absurdity and joy in life.

[Stefano]

Never boring, but I found it less catchy than "The good Samaritan".
It focuses mainly on his adventures as a kid and I've found them less funny than more recent stories.
Whereas with the other book I was chuckling at every page, this one simply wasn't as funny, that's all.

[David Hibberd]

Typical Patrick McManus stories from his early years and the pranks he got involved in to his adult years. One story deals with an invitation to go hiking with President George Bush. An overall enjoyable book.

[Ryan & Corrie Kolbe]

Enjoyed his bid to Terry Pratchett!! I had just finished the book Patrick referenced, otherwise I wouldn't have caught it. I do wish he had remembered to refer to his grandkids as "small relatives," though.

[Samantha]

Fantastic, witty, humorous, and nostalgic. If you're any type of outdoors person, you'll enjoy reading this book around the campfire or whenever you need a good chuckle.

[Eric]

I especially enjoyed chapter 11 with Rancid Crabtree and a blue dress.

[Kristen Holland Shear]

This is a funny collection of stories by bestselling humorist Patrick McManus. Some of the stories seem a bit dated, but I enjoyed more than a few chuckles.

[Melody]

Great stories - liked hearing how he became a humor writer.

[David Meyer]

I enjoy McManus because the humor is good and is almost entirely unrelated to anything I would do in my real life.

[Daniel Rose]

So funny he strikes again.

Mamanis writes short little essays that will behave you rolling on the ground busting a gutbor plain laughing so hard you will cry tears.

[Jim B]

One of his best collections!

[Doug]

Funny.

[Linda]

Amusing, but........

[Nathan]

Some humorous stories. A few repeats I know I read recently in "The Horse in My Garage and other stories", which is a newer book but I read before this one.

[Mirhanda]

So funny!

[Isla McKetta]

Not my favorite McManus, but enjoyable nonetheless. My son loved it, which is what counts.

[Donna Fredericks]

Very enjoyable.

[behsforensics]

Cutting is for The Big Woods
By Patrick F. McManus

[Holly Morse]

These short humorous stories, based on Pat McManus' life, are light-hearted, amusing and entertaining. I would recommend!