This particular volume includes the first story I ever read by McManus, the title story: "They Shoot Canoes Don’t They?" I read it in a doctor's waiting room, and I’ve been hooked ever since. One of very few authors who can actually make me laugh out loud.
The stories are droll and self-effacing, and although they are preposterous, I get the distinct impression many might just be based on actual events, albeit wildly embellished – perfectly appropriate for any sportsman yarn-spinner.
They are also marvelously relatable and often reminiscent to any outdoorsman.
In one story, "The Fishing Lesson", McManus reminisces...
Over the years, I’ve introduced several dozen people to the pleasures of outdoor sports. So what that some of them didn’t want to be introduced!
Yep, been there, done that.
They might otherwise have ended up as criminals or drug addicts or golfers. I like to think I’ve had some small part in saving them from such dismal fates.
This is the third collection published of at least 14. There are numerous recurring characters: Ma and Gramms, sister known affectionately as The Troll, dog Strange. There is his novice outdoorsman neighbor Al Finley and hunting and fishing companion Retch Sweeney. My favorite: the curmudgeonly mountain man and mentor from Patrick’s youth Rancid Crabtree (Crazy Eddie Muldoon does not yet appear).
Just good clean hilarious fun!
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