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Summary: You don't have to be an outdoorsman...
Review: ...to enjoy these genuinely humorous stories. Patrick McManus's way of saying things quite seroiusly and having them end up being funny is really a riot. These stories are almost as good when you read them the 10th time as they are when you first read them. My favorites: "Poof!No Eyebrows!", and "the Mountain Car". These two are absolutely hilarious, but all the stories in this book are great. This book makes for great summer reading.
Rating:
Summary: so good you can't describe it
Review: i first theses books when i was ten years old and i haven't stopped yet.. we only have four books but i intend to get more of the books.. they are funny.. i like the one where he goes hunting on his bicycle and gets the deer stuck on the pedals.
Rating:
Summary: 'Pass out laughing' funny
Review: I have always thought that Patrick McManus is the funniest writer on the planet. I read his stories when I need to laugh or relax. Sometimes I irritate my wife by reading it in bed. I try not to laugh out loud, but I only succeed in sounding like I am trying to muffle continuous sneezes.
However, not everyone gets it. I have been shocked by watching people read McManus without so much as a smile (though most start snorting like wild pigs on acid) . My only guess is that getting McManus requires a couple things. First, it requires some understanding of his experiences. He absolutely nails all of the stupid things 'outdoors men (outdoors people)' do and think, but don't want anybody to know about. Second, you have to see the self-deprecating aspect of his humor. Third, you can't look for great literature in integrated books. Patrick McManus is an excellent writer, if you see these as independent stories simply collected in a volume. They are meant for adults who want to laugh at themselves. So, If you are willing to or already meet the above three criteria, you will love this book.
By the way, I am a professor of clinical psychology and (other than worrying a little about McManus) I sometimes recommend this and other McManus books. I do this with people who have racing thoughts and anxiety at bedtime, and when I believe they have the necessary experiences to find it funny. It often works quite well. I think of his stories as little pieces of happiness. (Oh, that even makes me sick to hear. Sorry)
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Summary: The funniest book in print
Review: I picked up this book by accident and after reading my first story "Poof No Eyebrows" I was rolling on the floor laughing. I have now included all Mr. MaManus's books to my collection. I'm a woman and it give me a totally new look at boys and men. It also gave me an idea of what to expect out of my teenage son. This book is a keeper.
Rating: 
Summary: Funny funny funny funny funny funny funny funny
Review: Like the other book i reviewed for McManus (fine and pleasant misery), I must first note that one does not need to be active in, or even be interested in hunting or fishing to enjoy this book. It is funny because McManus is funny and intelligent and can string you along while he spins his tale. He lulls you into a false sense of comfort and then pulls the rug out from under you.I am not sure if McManus could even write a full length novel, but that is ok. He is a master of the amusing short story. The mountain car was my favorite story, even though it was a bit contrived, it was still funny. I use the "what does it run on, wet leaves?" line every chance I get. Buy it if you are interested in having your funny bone tickled.
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Summary: Addicting!!!!
Review: Never Look a Gift Fish was my introduction to the wonderful world of Patrick F. McManus. Each story had me remembering similar incidents in my life, only mine were not near as entertaining. While listening to these tapes during a cross-state drive to a football game, I caught myself driving slower as I approached my destination because I did not want to have to wait until the return trip to continue listening. It is ironic that many of his stories are based on fishing because I, for one, am HOOKED!!
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Summary: The Great Outdoorsman's Guide To Success
Review: NEVER SNIFF A GIFT FISH
By: Patrick F. McManus Have you ever heard of a great outdoorsman? You know, the one whose fly-casting technique can be compared to an old lady fighting off a bee with a broom handle. Or maybe the one whose attempts to pitch the family tent terrorized entire campgrounds. Well, for those of you who haven't heard of him, this book, will give you a little insight into the life of the great outdoorsman. Never Sniff A Gift Fish, is a great source for those useful camping phrases. Here are some of them. Corn Flakes: A common camp food. Often eaten dry with salt and pepper since no one thought to bring milk. Camping manuals: Books filled with ingenious camping tips which are forgotten the instant the camper sets foot in the field. "I read about a way to cook a chicken with a camera lens and a wire clothes hanger, but I can't remember how," he says. "Better just fry it." Downwind: Whichever side of the campfire you happen to be on.
And who could forget "When hell freezes over": An expression used by wives and mothers to indicate the next time you'll get them to go on another camping trip. This book is a hilarious combination of philosophy and fishing, all rolled into one. I loved the book, and I would definitely recommend this book to any outdoorsman, great or not, that has a sense of humor and a sense of what the author is going through.
Rating:
Summary: The Great Outdoorsman's Guide To Success
Review: NEVER SNIFF A GIFT FISH
By: Patrick F. McManus Have you ever heard of a great outdoorsman? You know, the one whose fly-casting technique can be compared to an old lady fighting off a bee with a broom handle. Or maybe the one whose attempts to pitch the family tent terrorized entire campgrounds. Well, for those of you who haven't heard of him, this book, will give you a little insight into the life of the great outdoorsman. Never Sniff A Gift Fish, is a great source for those useful camping phrases. Here are some of them. Corn Flakes: A common camp food. Often eaten dry with salt and pepper since no one thought to bring milk. Camping manuals: Books filled with ingenious camping tips which are forgotten the instant the camper sets foot in the field. "I read about a way to cook a chicken with a camera lens and a wire clothes hanger, but I can't remember how," he says. "Better just fry it." Downwind: Whichever side of the campfire you happen to be on.
And who could forget "When hell freezes over": An expression used by wives and mothers to indicate the next time you'll get them to go on another camping trip. This book is a hilarious combination of philosophy and fishing, all rolled into one. I loved the book, and I would definitely recommend this book to any outdoorsman, great or not, that has a sense of humor and a sense of what the author is going through.
Rating:
Summary: The Great Outdoorsman's Guide To Success
Review: NEVER SNIFF A GIFT FISH
By: Patrick F. McManus Have you ever heard of a great outdoorsman? You know, the one whose fly-casting technique can be compared to an old lady fighting off a bee with a broom handle. Or maybe the one whose attempts to pitch the family tent terrorized entire campgrounds. Well, for those of you who haven't heard of him, this book, will give you a little insight into the life of the great outdoorsman. Never Sniff A Gift Fish, is a great source for those useful camping phrases. Here are some of them. Corn Flakes: A common camp food. Often eaten dry with salt and pepper since no one thought to bring milk. Camping manuals: Books filled with ingenious camping tips which are forgotten the instant the camper sets foot in the field. "I read about a way to cook a chicken with a camera lens and a wire clothes hanger, but I can't remember how," he says. "Better just fry it." Downwind: Whichever side of the campfire you happen to be on.
And who could forget "When hell freezes over": An expression used by wives and mothers to indicate the next time you'll get them to go on another camping trip. This book is a hilarious combination of philosophy and fishing, all rolled into one. I loved the book, and I would definitely recommend this book to any outdoorsman, great or not, that has a sense of humor and a sense of what the author is going through.
Rating:
Summary: Simply a masterpiece of humor through creative writing!
Review: Patrick F. McManus has an unsurpased gift for humor. He will relate stories about his experiences in such a way that one or two details are left out or made to seem unimportant. Later in the story, when these details are uncovered, the situation he has described to that point suddenly takes on a whole new and hilarious twist. Truely, this is simple (often nastolgic) humor at its best. Shelton S. Herbert
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