Batfishing in the Rainforest: Strange Tales of Travel and Fishing

by Randy Wayne White

The first collection from the acclaimed Outside columnist.

Genres: Travel, Adventure, Nonfiction, Essays

250 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

aka Carl Ramm, Randy Striker

Randy Wayne White (born 1950) is an American writer of crime fiction and non-fiction adventure tales. He has written best-selling novels and has received awards for his fiction and a television documentary. He is best known for his series of crime novels featuring the retired NSA agent Doc Ford, a marine biologist living on the Gulf Coast of southern Florida. White has contributed material on a variety of topics to numerous magazines and has lectured across the United States. A resident of Southwest Florida since 1972, he currently lives on Pine Island, Florida, where he is active in South Florida civic affairs and with the restaurant Doc Ford's Sanibel Rum Bar & Grill on nearby Sanibel Island.

Series:
* Doc Ford Mystery

Reviews

[David Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

Batfishing in the Rain Forest: Strange Tales of Travel and Fishing by Randy Wayne White (Henry Holt and Company 1991) (Biography) is by far the best of the writing of Randy Wayne White, who is known as the creator and author of the Doc Ford mystery series and a former outdoor adventure writer for Outside Magazine. Several collections of White's magazine adventure articles have been published, but this one is without doubt the most interesting and engaging. This volume features essays about the author's diving dog, the American crocodile, Navy SEALS, and Peruvian artifact hunting, among many others. I strongly recommend this book. My rating: 8/10, finished 9/5/12.

[Casey Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I generally do not write reviews, but I would hands down reccomend this book to any outdoor enthusiast, backpacker, or adrenaline junkie. From excavating Mayan ruins, rescuing Cuban refugees, diving into subzero temparatures, searching for swamp apes and crocodiles, and surviving Marxist terrorist attacks in Peru... Randy Wayne White has done it all. An avid fisherman, sailor, kayaker, he has lived the adventures of Hemmingway. 5 stars hands down. Buy this fucking book!

[Carlton Phelps · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you enjoy short stories about fishing, travel, and just stories about Mr. White's life before Doc Ford, then you should enjoy this book.
Mr. White has written a lot of books about the infamous Doc Ford.
These are stories that Mr. White wrote while he was a fishing guide out of Pine Island and Sanibel, Florida. Both are on the west coast of Florida.
There are stories about him trying out for and managing to secure a position in the softball league. The story is about the old dog that had made a name for himself as a strong-willed dog as well as physically strong.
Several stories have to do with his travels around the world, mainly South America, searching for that one big fish, any big fish at times. And if the fishing was not to be, he enjoyed looking around the towns he traveled to. All the while asking for help to find good fishing spots.
I enjoyed this book and not just because I'm from Florida and spent a lot of time at both locations.

[Tyler Knight · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well written, and kept me engaged throughout the whole book. Short story compilations tend to be a hit-or-miss for me, with some stories being vastly more boring than the others. White's book was certainly not that style however, as each story was just as interesting as the one before it. As for the stories themselves, I can't complain. I feel like there was a healthy mix of narrative storytelling, descriptions of the environments, and an overall sense of adventure, especially in the last few stories. Highly recommend.

[Jay Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. White provides a number of magazine articles in a book format. He writes of his participation in the Cuban boat lift. He covers problems in Peru, Malaysia, and Indonesia with good insights. He is funny and I was engaged throughout the book. It is non-fiction and enjoyable.

[Bob Fox · Rating 4 out of 5]

This eclectic collection of travel stories contains many interesting facts about places across the planet. My favorites were the chapter on Castro's Cuba and the author's shark-eating dog. As an admitted adventure story lover, this was a nice collection.

[Pete Wassell · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s something to be said for a simple point, made simply. A nice snapshot of a time and place, and universal message about the nature of fishin, traveling, and human relationships.

[William Auman · Rating 4 out of 5]

An autobiographical mix of adventure tales, many of which make for an enjoyable read. The author has the type of writer's wit that enhances his traveling experiences.

[Rick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Short non-fiction adventure stories. I used to love Randy Wayne White's writing in Outside Magazine, but this is the first book of his that I've read. The variety of stories and adventures are great. I was worried it would mainly be fishing stories but it's not. Part travel guide, part adventure guide, part comfort stories of the southeast US, and part commentary on our world/society. Reminded me of what Krakauer's Eiger Dreams would have been like if Krakauer had grown up in Florida. Fun and interesting.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very well written collection of short stories about actual events. This is a manly collection of very manly stories. Many of the stories were lost on me because either I didn't care about the topic or I didn't understand it. I enjoy Randy Wayne White's novels, so thought I would pick this book up while we were on Sanibel Island and get a different perspective on his writing. I believe he's a very talented writer whether it be non-fiction or fiction, short or long. I just prefer his fiction.

[Ed · Rating 4 out of 5]

917.30492 Outdoors essays - White, a Florida fishing guide turned writer, takes us from Singapore to Alaska in 24 essays, some of which have appeared in Playboy , Outside Magazine , and Southern Living . Although a fishing pole is usually within reach, many of White's excursions could be more accurately described as those of a naturalist-observer. An adventurous and somewhat macho sort of a fellow who does not foreswear occasional crudity, White nonetheless has a nice comic sense when the spirit moves him.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This a great collection of stories and essays, less about travel than through travel. The author does not put off those with less strength, courage or skill by use of a highly enjoyable, self-effacing style, which, I srongly suspect, is not an accurate self-portrait. It's nice to read an author who, by indrirection, generates respect for himself by showing how much respect he has for others.

[Paul Chaney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I became I fan of RWW from his travel writing column in Outsie Magazine. This book is a collection of some of his best writing and was the catalyst to me purchasing his first Doc Ford Novel. 20 something years later and I still a little excited every March in anticipation of the release of his next book.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ya gotta understand Southwest Florida - Sanibel, Captiva culture, mix a little Corona and Lime and flyfishing and other sporting familiarities are value added...blend and pour into a salted rim...voila!
Thanks Castle!

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

I used to subscribe to Outside magazine for Randy Wayne White and David Quammen. I think White's style is part gonzo, not completely factual but lots of fun to read. I always looked forward to his columns, but I still haven't read any of his mystery novels. I will soon.

[Fred]

1998

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun read with different stories rolled into one book. White has sort of an adventurous happy go lucky yet melloncolly vibe that makes it an enjoyable and easy read.