Well after finishing up two of David Peterson's books (thanks for the signed copy through TBM too Dave) I'm on the scout for another good quality outdoor/hunting read.
I've read just about everything in the 3Rivers catalogue, well almost, and with a bit o'luck Buff is sending me a copy of his book but if there is any other books that one would put up as a "must read" than feel free to post away.
I also have my eye on Robert Rourks book "Use enough Gun".... always like African books.
So lets have it...
AK. :coffee:
Al, check out "The Dummy Line" by Bobby Cole.....Bobby is a good friend of ours and this is a great book. It's about a Father/Daughter wild turkey hunt that goes bad and the title will make sense once you read it...Bobby is a long time outdoorsman and this book shows that, the weapons, the terrian, the timeline, you could easily put yourself "in the book"....It's available at Amazon.com and www.readbobbycole.com......there (//http://) will also be at least one on the ST. Judes Auction this year.....Don and Skyler
Why I'm Against It All by Ken Wright
anything and everything by E. Donnall Thomas Jr., Rick Bass, Pete Fromm and Ted Kerasote
Traplines by John Rember
Confessions of an Eco-Redneck by Steve Chapple
The Island Within by Richard Nelson
Hunting From Home by Christopher Camuto
Ruark's "old Man and the Boy" was the first outdoor book I read in 6th grade, and his writing is kind of a standard; "Horn of the Hunter" was the first "African" book I read...
You might try "African Twilight" by Robert F Jones, he was a writer for Sports Illustrated and talked them in to sending him on some good hunts.
Above, Reg recommends Ted Kerasote, and "Bloodties" is a good one...
Al, I would second Fatman's recomendation of Ruark. The old man and the boy along with the old mans boy grows older are a great series. If you like Ruark tow of my favorite books are Something of Value and Uhuru. Both are fiction loosely based on the Mau Mau uprising in the fifties but a fantastic read.
Hemingway's "Green Hills of Africa" is a good one, too.
Hey Al, I've got a book or two I can probably send your way.......email me when you get a chance. Mike
Looking here at my bookshelf, some of my favorites are....
"Meditations on Hunting" by Jose Ortega y Gasset
"A Hunter's Heart" collections by David Peterson
"Bows on the Little Delta" by Glenn St. Charles
"Longbows in the Far North" and "The Double Helix" by E. Donnall Thomas
"A Thousand Campfires" by Jay Massey
"Autumn Leaves" by Mark Siedschlag
"Fred Bear's Field Notes - The Adventures of Fred Bear" by Fred Bear
"Come November" by Gene Wensel
"The Witchery of Archery" by Maurice Thompson
"Bush Pilot Bowman" by David Bickish
I just finished reading "Hunting the Hard Way," by Howard Hill. Very well written. I wonder if Howard was that literate, or if he just had a good editor? Howard is quite opinionated, of course, in favor of the longbow. Good hunting tales. He says in the preface that he would never let the facts get in the way of a good story, and I suspect this happens at times in the book.
Joe Coots, Ranger GA,.....Hard to find his writings but if you can, they're really good...Joe's wife, Miss Kim, is a famous cookie baker and breakfast casserole cook and she makes the best antelope burgers on the face of the earth and.....etc..... :clapper:
I'd add:
"Heartsblood" by Dave Anderson and Ted Williams
"The Traditional Way" by Fred Anderson
"Death In the Long Grass" by Peter Capstick was a good read as well although I am not sure I believe all of it.
My favorite to date:
"A Thousand Campfires" by Jay Massey
Good Whitetail Book:
"Bowhunting Pressured Whitetails"
Ebook Hunting with the Bow & Arrow By: Saxon Pope (http://fwcb.cfans.umn.edu/courses/FW4105/8hbow10h/8hbow10h.htm)
"Campfire Reflections" by TJ Conrads.
Jim Hamm's "Ishi and Elvis", another good read...
M.R. James' new book "45 Unforgettable Bowhunters" is also a very good read. You can get it at ihuntbooks.com
JC's list along with "60 years with the feathered shaft" by Ed Pritchkites.
Bows,Swamps,Whitetails by Tim L. Lewis is a pretty good one. Ordered mine from Black Widow
Mike
Any of Capstick's early stuff.
Thanks for all the help/hints lads. I just love books and I like to collect 'em as well, I also have most of the books mentioned above. But in saying that what about something along the lines of the Alaskan outdoors/ wilderness type stuff? I'm yet to hunt Alaska or BC type country but soon I'm planning...
"The Traditional way" I'm yet to get, and that for the tip curve man.
Thanks Reg, I'll look into those titles as well. Don's writings are top notch.
Mike and JC PM sent.
AK.
I have a very, small collection... ok I only two books. I enjoy reading, but rarely find the time.
For those who are cheap like me, check out this link HERE (http://www.archerylibrary.com/) . They have old out of print works in digital form. (Means you either have to be at the 'puter to read or print them out, which for those wondering can take a lot of paper) But the ones I have read have been great stories and worth the time.
Speaking of Africa, I am not well versed, but I really enjoyed reading the Man Eaters of Tsavo. I found it online the same way as above. PM me and I can look up the link if your interested.
Thanks to all for the numerous recommendations.
John
Lots of good books already mentioned. One tthat I highly recommned is "Deep Survival" by Laurence Gonzales. It isn't a hunting book nor is it a how to survive and thrive in the wilderness book. It blends well told stories , science, psychology, faith and mental preparedness into a fascinating read.
Al, PM or email me. I have tons of outdoor titles for sale. Some are in the classifieds here.
Al,
If you are looking for something conservation oriented try "Last Stand", it is about George Bird Grinnell and his fight to save the American Bison and establish rules and enforcement in Yellowstone NP. Sorry the authors is Michael Punke.
Just ordered "Deep Survival" from amazons. A nasty web sight that one.... way to many books to order!
A.K
Don't order anymore till you get the package mate...never know what's gonna be in there :rolleyes:
Ted Kerasote's name is already on the list. I recently read his book Merles Door. Not a hunting book, he talks about hunting in the book. The book is about his dog and what he learned from his dog Merle. A great read if you have a dog as many Tradgangers do. Any thing by Don Thomas is a must read. I would like to see Dean Torges write more.
Here's a book that many may find interesting.
"On Killing-meditations on the chase" edited by Robert F Jones
It is a collection of hunting/killing essays by Hemingway,Corbett,Leopold,Ortega y Gassett, and many more.
The writers offer their thoughts on what it means to kill. A very thought provoking and interesting read. T'was a gift from my friend, writer Jeffery Cardenas on the occasion of my first article being published in TBM.
Also, check out "Bows Swamps and Whitetails" by Tim L Lewis. Lewis is an avid Maurice Tnompson fan and much of his book reflects that style.
"ShotShells and Cedar Shafts" by Bruce A. Hopkins
Also,the recently republished.....
"How To Bag The Biggest Buck Of Your Life" by Larry Beniot with Peter Miller
Thanks again JC, roger your last.
AK.
'Strings and tight knots' by Henny Holtree.
'the Stave Knave' by Warren Bledsoe.
'High Strung' by Brayce Yerselv.
OK OK maybe I made those up.
I enjoyed the books 'Camera trails in Africa' by Martin Johnson; and 'Lion' which was a book written about Martin Johnsons wife 'Osa'. They were the first people to go on a photographic safari in Africa; and Osa; being a vegetarian; thought rice was enough for the local guys to keep their energy up while carrying the camp.
After the men all stopped and refused to continue without meat; Martin took his rifle and used up an entire box of ammo; without hitting anything.
They were about to be left alone in the middle of Africa - when Osa out of disgust and concern; took the rifle and downed a Zebra.
By the second book; Osa was shooting zebras to hunt lions over.... a story of transformation from an anti-hunter to an avid hunter.
They are OLD books! When Martin was killed in a plane crash; the government was preasured by Martins fans to control airplane safety; and the FAA was formed as a result.
As Martin and his wife Osa were very influencial at the time in regards to hunting Africa; both books are a great read.
Even if they didn't use bows...
:archer:
R. Ruark's " The Old Man and the Boy" absolutely the best outdoor read there is.
I'm surprised nobody has mentioned "The best of TBM". I have just about every book mentioned so far, and this is one of my favorites.
Yes Jeff, I've read that book twice and It's at the top of my "best" list too.
A.K
Good list - I agree with those above who recommend Ted Kerasote's books. Bloodties and Merle's Door are both excellent.