Customer Reviews

Hunting the Grisly: And Other Sketches (Classic Reprint)

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T.R. Believed in 'Big Foot'
Note the accurate, old-fashioned spelling of the giant bears that once roamed all over North America. Teddy Roosevelt's prose actually kept my interest as did many of his fascinating tales of hunting out West. He did get repetitious in spots, still, his perspective of turn of the century plains and mountain hunting stories left me wanting to find out more. At some points his stories seem to stretch the good bounds of reason--like fishers hunting grizzly cubs?--maybe after they're first born but it seems unlikely after cubs reach a couple months of life. Great tales of buffalo herds with great details on different types of bison and how old timers distinguished them. Roosevelt seemed to live an action-packed life unlike current politicians. He also had great advice that would do us well in our war against terrorism.

A the end of TR's stories, the very last tale, describes what can only be called an encounter with Big Foot by two mountain trappers--one who dies at Big Foot's hands. It describes perfectly (except for the ending death) an incident that me, my brother, and my brother-in-law experienced when we camped out at Lake Creek in preparation for climbing La Plata peak. The spooky nocturnal enounters with the mysterious beast duplicated what we experienced at camp. Some say Big Foot still roams the back woods of Colorado so its nice to know that a former president gave credence to the legend.

This is a very entertaining book. I enjoyed every chapter. A great look back at hunting 130 years ago. Roosevelt is quite the story-teller. I highly recommend this work.