I know a few of you like to read. Some have mentioned going to libraries.

Well, if you like the outdoors, you would probably get a real kick out of the books written by Patrick McManus. He wrote a column for Field and Stream magazine for a number of years and that's a more common place people have seen his writings.

Even if you're not the type that typically sits down with a good book, these can suck you in so beware!

Years ago, I was in the barber shop one day and somebody was sitting there with a copy of Field & Stream that he picked up to pass the time while waiting for his turn. We almost had to laugh at him because he had tears rolling down his face he was laughing so hard. He was reading one of Pat McManus' stories.

I haven't read the newer ones but used to have a whole collection of the older ones.

(Stan Miller, if you haven't read any of these, I think you might get a real kick out of them!)

I started with "Never Sniff a Gift Fish" from the library and it kinda went from there.

(I'm sitting here laughing as I even think about it...)

You can read a little about them if you want to at: http://www.mcmanusbooks.com/ and even read a few snippets I think.

I'd still try to find them in a library or maybe a used book store before buying them new, though, but I'm cheap that way.

Happy reading!



Brian

Brian! Are you kidding us? I thought EVERYONE read McManus' books, except for me! Any time he's had a new book published, it's right on the top of my two youngest sons' gift lists.... it's been like this for years. Heck, come to think of it, no wonder those two are so danged funny... they read Patrick McManus' books!! He's hilarious, for sure! Recommended reading for anyone, outdoorsy or not. Enjoy!! Lee

When my dad was dying, in the hospital, I would read McManus books to him. He would have to laugh at me trying to read with tears rolling down my face from laughing. I had given him all of the McManus books up until that time. Laughter is a good medicine.

There's something different about reading outloud, at least for me.

The stories are certainly funny when I just read silently, but when they're read outload, they seem to take on another dimension, perhaps come alive even more.

Exploring Pat's website, there are a couple of videos that I wouldn't mind having either. There are a couple of clips there to tease.

Some pure silliness can be such a wonderful thing a times!!



Brian

You are so correct Brian T., all the way around. I have enjoyed this thread.

Of course, his dog named "Strange" is a key player in many stories.

Brian!
Been reading him for years, I think it started when he wrote the last page for field and stream right? I have to be alone though as I fall off my chair a lot from laughing! The deer waking up and pedaling the bicycle scene from one of his books always gets a grin when I think of it.

You're right, they are even funnier when read out loud, if the reader can get past the spasms of laughter AND read!

Ol Rancid Crabtree has to be one of my favorites, especially with the inflections of voice written in as Pat does.

... Rancid Crabtree and the demon bat... catchin "hoppers" with a net while riding on the hood of the truck... the nervous twitches of Eddie Muldoon's father...

One can laugh for hours!

RV, I gotta find the one about the deer and the bicycle, that one seems to have escaped me.

The man has a gift...



Brian

RV! Yep, last page of one of those mags.

There was one story, and I may have the wrong character, but it was something like..........."Rancid Crabtree was peering breathlessly over my shoulder, and that was the best way for Rancid to peer, as his breath would chase ticks off a badger".

Always liked that line.

Brian,
I sold all my books when I went fulltime in 1997, but I think it was in "They shoot canoes don't they" or something close to that! You gotta read it.

Rancid was always a player, was he the Surplus store owner??? Or was that another character?

OK! I gotta buy them again or check em out from the library. I sure miss those gut deep belly laughs.

Even when I was amused by other writers, I rarely even chuckled out loud. But McManus? I'd be in tears! I gotta re-read them all. Thanks for the reminder.

It's been years, but I keep thinking the name Mr. Grogan when I think of the Army Surplus store. (????)

When I get the chance, I'm gonna have to see if I can find some more of his books. My ex took most of them with her when she left and I never did get around to replacing them.

Although it hurt like heck to have my first marriage fall apart, the silver lining in the cloud, at least by my view is that he turned out to be gay!! LOL!!! Even though I never got to say, "na, na, na, na, na, na", I still get to chuckle about it now.

Actually, she did me a wonderful favor because I found a woman I've been married to for 6 going on 7 years now that's the best thing that's ever happened to me.

Now, if she'd just give me back my McManus books!!

Oops... probably more than you wanted to know. But as ol' Pat would say, "never sniff a gift fish." LOL!!!!


Brian

Yup! It was Grogan for the army surplus store I think.

OK! I gotta re-read em all!

Too many years, too many beers.

This thread goes back aways, but being a real new guy, I have to add my two cents worth about Patrick McManus...no one can express life's little "experiences" like he can. I am lucky to have a daughter who loves me enough to have given me ALL of McManus's books...signed. I read them over and over. Got hooked on his stories back in the mid 70's. If you are ever having a bad day, pick up one of his books and I guarantee you'll be snickering within minutes. Great fun!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Konadude,

I was introduced to McManus with the book They shoot canoes don't they. I took it with me to pass the time in a X Ray therapy waiting room while my Mother was receiving radiation for leukemia. I was trying to laugh quietly with tears streaming down my face. All the others in the waiting room were glaring at me. I guess you shouldn't enjoy yourself in a medical waiting room.