Customer Reviews

They Shoot Canoes, Don't They?

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

this book is so funny. i was reading it in english and almost fell out of my desk i was laughing so hard. my teacher took the book to see what i was reading, she laughed so hard she had to be excused to the restroom. this is a very good book (as are all of his)

I was introduced to Patrick McManus by a good friend who doubted my ability to find Field and Stream with two hands and a flashlight. Thank heaven. Not only will these stories make you laugh till milk spews out your nostrils, they'll warn you away from avoidable risks,like sharing a bike ride with a playful deer. Atlantic Monthly never taught me that, nor did the Wall Street Journal. What I find touching about his boyhood tales is the unspoken hint that his funniest outdoor adventures started with a need to find food for his widowed mother, grandmother and sister. But he doesn't whine about it, so enjoy.

Humor that reflects some of the experiences of every outdoorsman and wanna be outdoorsman(or anyone who has spent any amout of time outdoors!). All the stories are very well written and will have you laughing until you can't read anymore. Stories are short enough to enjoy during a quick break from work. Although it's hard to read for only five minutes. This book is highly recommended and I hope everyone finds the same enjoyment in the wholes series as I did.

There is one part in this book that is so funny that both my husband and I had to put the book down so we could take a breath, we were laughing so hard. It hurts your head to read this book, it's so funny. I've read almost all of his other humor books, but this one wins the prize. I don't even hunt or fish.

Patrick is so funny, especially if you have been there! We are a family of back packers and oh boy have we been there! There is nothing like reading Mcmanus after a hard day of climbing, swearing and sitting around the campfire!!! He is wonderful!

This collection of short stories is one of the funniest I have ever read. To fully understand the humor in these stories, you must enjoy outdoor activites and appreciate first-class sarcasm. Included in this book are about twenty-five chorts, all exploding with laughter at every turn of page.
These stories are about the personal experiences of the author, and the people that he is close to. He writes about hunting, fishing, camping, and other outdoor activites. His stories are so personal because he is writing about his past; as he was growing up, and his present. In addition to laughing at him, the reader also laughs at himself, because as you have said, thought, or done the very same thigns that he is writing about. One story in paticular describes his thoughts and fellings about getting glasses. At first McManus attributes the change in the world's clarity to communists, subsequently he is diagnosed with an astgmatism. He does not think that a big game guide should wear glasses, so he does not confide his new spectacles to his friends, until he realizes that an adult mentor of his also has glasses. Normally a person getting glasses would not be considered humor, but when written by this autor almost anything becomes funny.
In addition to entertaining, these stories also teach the reader. A few lessons that can be learned are: take time to enjoy the simple things in life, laugh at yourself, and take time out of your normal schedule to go outdoors and spend time with family and freinds. If you enjoy a good laugh pick up "They Shoot Canoes Don't They," or one of his many other novels.

Patrick McManus is the greatest reading material I have come across in years. I found his books in my local library and have read every one three or four times. McManus tells storys that make outdoorsmen laugh because they know his hysterics are all true. I can relate to most of his humorous tales myself. A must read for all outdoor enthusiasts.

Why would two college students be listening to beetles chomping away at a skeleton in the dead of night? Why would you cut slits in the front of your new tenner (yes, tenner!) shoes? What do you use to get a fake eyelash out of your drink? What does a B Western villian's eyes say when he empties his six-shooter? Find out the answer to these and other gripping mysteries!

I've been an avid McManus reader for quite sometime and I just love coming back to his books. This book has some of my favorites in it especially ones that discuss his college experiences. This one is not his best but still definitely a keeper. If you have grown up in rural areas, enjoy the outdoors, or know an outdoor eccentric this book will have you laughing out loud.

This was a great book for anyone that likes fishing, hunting and or the great outdoors. I liked the book because I am one of those people. It was so funny it was hard to keep from laughing while reading it. I would recamend any of Patric McManus' books if you like a good laugh.