Customer Reviews

Illumination in the Flatwoods

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My review is not unbiased because Joe Hutto, author of "Illumination in the Flatwoods," and I have been friends for almost 25 years.
Joe is the most humble man I've ever known. I am honored that he brought me the original manuscript to read. It was so beautiful I could have cried.
With the same graceful writing skills used by conservationists Aldo Leopold ("Sand County Almanac") and Herbert Stoddard ("Memoirs of a Naturalist"), Joe gives a masterful mix of documentary-style nature reporting and heartfelt thoughts on the meaning of life. As dramatic as that sounds, I think most readers will agree that "Illumination in the Flatwoods" is a life-changing book.
You will never regret the dollars you spend to buy this book nor the time it takes you to read it. . .

Kathy McCord Cooley

Hutto's book trancends its subject. Through an account of his relationship with a flock of wild turkeys, Hutto better defines the human qualities of understanding, respect, and decency. I began reading this book because I have always been interested in wild turkeys. I finished it because I felt its sincerity and character were exceptional. The respect that Hutto shows for all creatures, down to the snake that ingests one of his beloved poults, gives us insight to the relevance of all creatures. Hutto seems to have a rare quality that allows him to avoid judgement, and to achieve a level of peace and acceptance that seems so foreign in today's society. Yes, this book is about the wild turkey. But, it if you follow Hutto's responses to the events into which the turkeys lead him, you find a much richer story that tells us more about ourselves than the turkeys Hutto follows.

This is an incredibly beautifully written book. I never thought I would find it so interesting and spellbinding. I was doubtful when first beginning the book that the author would be able to maintain his observer status, but he did so remarkably well, raising the turkeys to be real wild turkeys. As I read the final line in the book, I felt I was closing a chapter in my life in which I had personally been involved with the turkeys and the author. I was impressed with Mr. Hutto's dedication to these remarkable birds, his keen observations, and also with his obvious "connection" to them. I hope he will write again in the future.

Beautifully written and truly amazing feat accomplished by Mr. Hutto. Many can raise wild turkeys in their own world, however, it took a man with great conviction and love for the bird and it's environment to reverse the process and let the poults raise him. I couldn't put this book down and fell in love with the characters. In closing, I truly admire Mr. Hutto for his dedication and am thankful I don't hunt anywhere near TurkeyBoy's range as I don't believe I could pull the trigger on a bird that has survived the perils he has faced throughout his life.

i have been so lucky to have watched joes programme on bbc2 upon watching it i came straight on amazon and had to buy the book.

what a wondeful guy and what a wonderful programme i cannot wait for the book to arrive infact joe has made me seriously think of my own life and the animals in it thankyou so much joe

Joe Hutto has done a wonderful job of letting us view the daily life of this bird. He observed, yet did not intervene except to protect them while they were young. He played the role of a wild turkey and in the process provided us with insights of their daily behaviors. A great book for anyone who appreciates wildlife.

This book made me laugh at times, at times touched me deeply with awe at the complexity of this creature, and its joy in life, as clearly revealed by the author. Makes me wonder how much we just don't know about the wild life around us, and yet how wonderous it all is. The pictures speak volumes, showing their intense curiousity. One of my favorite books in my library now.

I knew turkeys (domestic)are really cool animals but these wild ones of Joe Hutto's are something else.
Easily the best book I've read in 2009, maybe even a decade and I read a LOT of books. I'm puzzled it hasn't made a bigger splash and become more well known; I think it's a sure classic; right now it's still underground. I think "Desert Solitaire" took a while to get noticed too. Yes, I put this book in that elite category.
Eagerly awaiting Hutto's new book "The Light In High Places"(sorry, forgot how to italicize...)
The down side is I don't know how I can eat turkey again and it was always my favorite

Although I could not afford to purchase this book, I was delighted to get a copy from my library. I love the animal/human relationship, esp. when taken to its magical realm; the doors that open when entrusted by an animal. The sketches are sweet, simple and relay so much feeling; they are art. For a human to reach for this level of relationship is remarkable and to have it returned by animals is magical. Esp. the last par.: "...by some language that we both understand but cannot speak, and I could say: 'I know you, old friend. I recognize you by your iridescence, your incandescence, your illumination - I recognize you by your loneliness-you must be my brother.'" This book is a sort of recollection of who we are - our purpose. I love the double meaning of illuminated.

This is a profound book in subtle ways and should change anybody's views of the relationship between 'wildlife' and human life. It can be read by anyone who has the slightest empathy with pets but perhaps not with animals otherwise, so don't be put off by the subject. It is perhaps people who think they are not interested in turkeys or animals in general who would find the book most inspiring.