I Fish Therefore I Am: And Other Observations

Rating:
Summary: AWESOME, TOTALLY AWESOME
Review: As a past student, my dad still loves McManus. I bought this book from Amazon.com at a good price and what he got was well worth the money. This may not be McManus' best book, but it still reveals his humor to a major extent. I have been a McManus fan for about three years of 13 years of my life and I'm hooked; adicted at a young age. If Patrick McManus reads this, please E-mail me.

Rating:
Summary: AWESOME, TOTALLY AWESOME
Review: As a past student, my dad still loves McManus. I bought this book from Amazon.com at a good price and what he got was well worth the money. This may not be McManus' best book, but it still reveals his humor to a major extent. I have been a McManus fan for about three years of 13 years of my life and I'm hooked; adicted at a young age. If Patrick McManus reads this, please E-mail me.

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)

Rating:
Summary: Hilarious
Review: I read this book for a book report in my senior English class. It was hard to put down. I found myself reading it every free second I had. I saw myself in a lot of the same situations that "Retch" faced. The stories were comical and they kept me laughing throughout the book. If you are looking for something fun to read, pick up this book.

Rating:
Summary: Hilarious
Review: I read this book for a book report in my senior English class. It was hard to put down. I found myself reading it every free second I had. I saw myself in a lot of the same situations that "Retch" faced. The stories were comical and they kept me laughing throughout the book. If you are looking for something fun to read, pick up this book.

Rating:
Summary: Hilarious
Review: I read this book for a book report in my senior English class. It was hard to put down. I found myself reading it every free second I had. I saw myself in a lot of the same situations that "Retch" faced. The stories were comical and they kept me laughing throughout the book. If you are looking for something fun to read, pick up this book.

Rating:
Summary: A compilation of three books
Review: This book is a compilation of three other McManus books: "A Fine and Pleasant Misery," "Never Sniff a Gift Fish," and "They Shoot Canoes, Don't They?" It is not the same volume as the two-cassette release by the same name. The cassette edition by this name is a compilation of only a few Pat stories. Dedicated McManus readers may already have the three volumes contained in this book. It is, however, a great gift, and nice for those who haven't yet purchased the earlier books that make it up.

Rating:
Summary: A compilation of three books
Review: This book is a compilation of three other McManus books: "A Fine and Pleasant Misery," "Never Sniff a Gift Fish," and "They Shoot Canoes, Don't They?" It is not the same volume as the two-cassette release by the same name. The cassette edition by this name is a compilation of only a few Pat stories. Dedicated McManus readers may already have the three volumes contained in this book. It is, however, a great gift, and nice for those who haven't yet purchased the earlier books that make it up.

Rating:
Summary: The ¿Real¿ outdoors
Review: This compilation of three of McManus's books (Collected mainly from Field and Stream) is definitely a keeper. For anyone who loves the outdoors and even for those whose idea of roughing it is no room service (My category) this book collects tales of the wild as seen through McManus's warmly humorous style. Tales of his wayward youth, spent hunting and hanging out with the local mountain man Ne'er-do-well, camping disasters, and the long suffering women in his life, (Mother, grandmother, sister, wife) are all subjects that McManus's views with a wink and a smile. Read this one in small doses when you need a laugh, and while I am amazed that despite all this aggravation McManus and other outdoors people think these pursuits constitute a good time; at least McManus has turned these misadventures into a lot of laughs.

Rating:
Summary: He' s so funny
Review: Three compilations in between two covers, stories to read over and over, big print, hard cover. Just a wonderful, hilarious book to treasure. Just as funny the second, third, forth... time. What a talented guy!