"I don't regard nature as a spectator sport." -Ed Zern, 1985
Hunting is a serious business-but it's also about camaraderie, achievements and failures, seeing new places, and revisiting cherished ones. The true stories here feature a variety of game, in locations that range from high Yukon Territory mountain peaks to lowland swamps off of Mobile Bay, Alabama.
This is an indispensable volume for all lovers and students of the natural world. If your definition of home includes fields and marshes, creeks and river bottoms, plains and mountains, consider this required reading.
If you are looking for a book that has many great hunting stories from all types of game that draw you in, this is it. When I read the book I felt like every story pulled me in and I was there. My favorite stories in the book were "The Ninety-Seven" and the story written by Teddy Roosevelt. I never knew Teddy could write so well. This book takes you from Sharp-Tailed Grouse hunting in the Prairies to Polar Bear hunting in Ontario and everything around and between. The book makes you feel like you are part of every story. When hunting seasons end, I enjoy reading this because it takes me back to my own great hunting memories. I will definitely be reading this again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Ignore the stupid title and read this book whether you are a hunter or not. It truly does contain some beautiful writing and wonderful stories. Teddy Roosevelt's piece is unpretentious and takes you back to his time. There are pieces by Hemingway and Faulkner and they are not even the best stories.
I had originally gotten this book for my husband, who is an avid hunter. He has been too busy to read it, so I decided to give it a go. I was surprised at the high quality of the writing and the wide range of experiences (mostly true) covered in the stories. Several of the tales were good enough that I plan to read more from the authors.
I thought this book was great. It really brings you into the book with great writing. The one with Teddy Roosevelt was amazing; it really brings you back to his time. Even if you don't hunt, this book is still wonderful with its stories and tales. It makes the woods sound right in your face.