A Hunter's Road: A Journey With Gun and Dog Across the American Uplands

Rating:
Summary: A Lost Hunter trying to Find his Way
Review: I saw this book at the library and decided to check it out as I'm an avid outdoorsman. Unfortunately it [the book] deals more with the author trying to get his head straight from a bad childhood, than a good book about upland bird hunting. I personally can have little respect for the author after he and his hunting partners borrowed a shotgun from a rancher who tried to drown four yellow lab puppies. The author describes in detail how one of the pups, through its instincts, tried to swim to shore when the rancher threw them in the river. Any self-respecting upland hunter who loves dogs would not have borrowed the "time-of-day" from this rancher--let alone a shotgun. My Instincts tell me never to pick-up this book up again! If you want to read an an enjoyable book about upland bird hunting in America DO NOT READ this book--try another author like Gene Hill. Sincerely: Michael S. Graves

Rating:
Summary: Sporting Writing for Sportsmen who_Think_
Review: This is a remarkable book. Having grown up in a hunting home, although not hunting myself, I was surrounded by the run-of-the-mill sporting stories: you know the kind, full of easy sentimentality instead of honest sentiment--small words set in big type. Since that time, I have cordially avoided the genre. And gotten interested in hunting. What a joy to read Mr. Fergus' book! In many ways, it is more of a character study of the people and the landscape across the US, bound together by the concept of upland shooting. Quickly drawn, insightful, characterizations will stay in your mind, not only of fellow-hunters, but also of places and views. And, a thoughtful, deeply-felt philosophy of hunting and environmental stewardship. The book starts out with a prologue which delivers a quick emotional bodyblow: this is some amazing writing. After the enormous expanse of territory, mental and physical, Mr. Fergus covers, you finally return to that beginning for another emotional wallop. Hunters, anti-hunters, folks who just recognize a great book when they see one--buy this book!

Rating:
Summary: Testerone plus
Review: Well, this is well written, but it is rather one of those books about, "Let's go out and murder some animals this morning." Now if the author had used a camera instead of a gun, this would have deserved 5 stars, but..... Oh well.

Rating:
Summary: Testerone plus
Review: Well, this is well written, but it is rather one of those books about, "Let's go out and murder some animals this morning." Now if the author had used a camera instead of a gun, this would have deserved 5 stars, but..... Oh well.