Hey Ranger!: True Tales of Humor & Misadventure from America's National Parks [Paperback]

Jim Burnett (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 10, 2005

Amusing and informative, Hey Ranger! teaches as it entertains with tales of boat ramp misadventures, lost Afghani campers, encounters with wild animals, dumb crooks, and more. A chapter, "Tales from the Wild Side," brings together unusual incidents from NPS reports, and a concluding essay, "Don't Be a Victim of Your Vacation," advises visitors on how to avoid being a story on the evening news.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"im Burnett, retired national park ranger, tells humorous and anecdotal stories of outdoor misadventures. Hey Ranger! incudes funny, behind-the-scenes glimpses into the real life of a national park ranger. (Arrowhead Newsletter/National Park Service )

"im Burnett, retired national park ranger, tells humorous and anecdotal stories of outdoor misadventures. Hey Ranger! incudes funny, behind-the-scenes glimpses into the real life of a national park ranger. (Arrowhead Newsletter/National Park Service )

A lighthearted collection of stories... Burnett kept detailed notes of his long career and writes about his experience with a wry sense of humor. (Ray Sasser Buffalo News )

Amusing and informative, Hey Ranger! teaches as it entertains... (Texas Aggie )

Amusing and informative, Hey Ranger! teaches as it entertains... (Texas Aggie )

From the Publisher

Hey Ranger! was written by a thirty-year veteran park ranger, and offers readers:

A fun, fresh approach. With its light anecdotal style the book provides an entertaining look at some truly unusual—and hilarious—situations in the out-of-doors.

Homegrown appeal. Set in parks across the U.S.A. these stories involve everyday Americans whose trip to the great outdoors took an unexpected turn. You’ll enjoy these tales about people you can relate to.

Readability. Each chapter is a stand-alone story, so you can pick up the book on your lunch hour or whenever you have a few minutes for a fun reading break—but once you start the book we bet you’ll want to finish it soon!

A behind-the-scenes look. Many people envy the lives of rangers who live and work in national parks. Through insights into what that job can really entail, the book will appeal both to ranger "wannabees" and rangers alike, as well as to their families and friends.

Useful tips. The book concludes with some practical "ranger-wisdom," illustrated with real-life examples, to help keep readers from becoming a "victim of their vacation" on their next outdoor excursion.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Taylor Trade Publishing; 1st Taylor Trade Ed edition (February 10, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1589791916
• ISBN-13: 978-1589791916
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #277,081 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I've had the rare opportunity to enjoy not one, but two "dream careers" during my lifetime. For 30 years I worked as a National Park Service ranger at 8 parks all across the U.S., including Grand Canyon and Glacier National Parks, Lake Mead, Buffalo National River, Lincoln Boyhood, Big Thicket and Colonial National Historical Park.

Following my retirement from "rangering" I finally had time to try my hand at a second goal - writing. My first book, "Hey Ranger! True Tales of Humor and Misadventure from America's National Parks," was published in 2005, and I'm gratified that it continues to attract new readers six years later.

Thanks to great support from readers, the sequel, "Hey Ranger 2 - More True Tales of Humor and Misadventure from the Great Outdoors," was released in May 2007.

In addition to the two "Hey Ranger" books, some of my shorter items have been published in several national periodicals, and I enjoy being a regular contributor to the e-zine National Parks Traveler. I'm honored to be a member of the American Society of Journalists and Authors and the Outdoor Writers Association of America.

My writing has provided the opportunity to share some fun stories on National Public Radio, ESPN radio and several regional and local TV and radio shows, and to speak to a variety of groups about my experiences as a ranger.

I now live in western North Carolina with my wife of 44 years. She's also my best friend and resident editor. "Retirement" has been great, but it sure hasn't been dull!

I hope you have a great day. "Life - It's an adventure. Find something to smile about today!"

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hey Ranger!, March 15, 2005

By 

Stella (Athens, TX USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hey Ranger!: True Tales of Humor & Misadventure from America's National Parks (Paperback)

I thoroughly enjoyed reading, Hey Ranger!, especially the amusing style the author uses to tell of the incidents he encountered and the so called fringe benefits a Park Ranger's family endures. The chapter titles grab your attention and relates well to what's told in that chapter. "Don't feed the skunks" is one of many hilarious accounts of how people depend on a Park Ranger to solve their mistakes. I really enjoyed the use of abbreviations such as C.U.B.S. (Constitutionally Unable to Behave Sensibly), that adds to the funny explanations of brainless situations people get into. His own personal chapter account of one of his moves in, " Mister, It's not to late" was so funny I found myself laughing out loud. This book proves that a Park Ranger's job is more than just riding around in a truck enjoying National Park scenery as some people think. It's hard to put down and I'm sure you will find it entertaining.

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ah....The Memories!, August 15, 2005

By 

loujr (Colorado) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hey Ranger!: True Tales of Humor & Misadventure from America's National Parks (Paperback)

Like a great song from years ago, Jim Burnett's stories hit you (and your funny bone) with nostalgia that takes you back to another time and place. My father was a Park Ranger for many years and the stories he told around the supper table keep in time with these (though I never remember laughing as hard as I did when I read about beavers gnawing on boat props!). Thanks for spinning some funny yarns about the outdoor-impaired! Now, if we could only get a reality show called..."So, you want to be a Park Ranger..."

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Laugh and Learn, August 15, 2005

By 

Kyle (Virginia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hey Ranger!: True Tales of Humor & Misadventure from America's National Parks (Paperback)

We saw this book while on vacation in Shenandoah National Park and decided to take a copy home. It was so much fun that we took turns reading it out loud in the car during the drive back. Our family has been campers and hikers for years, so we didn't have trouble believing some of the dumb things people do in parks, especially when it comes to wild animals. The author includes some really good tips for anybody planning a trip to the outdoors, but most of the learning is well disguised in the humor. This is a fun book for just about anybody.