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

~ Jim Burnett (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Burnett...recounted the stories in his very funny book… I've nearly split my sides laughing at the encounters..." -- L. M. Sixel, Houston Chronicle, July 14, 2005, page D1, “Hey Ranger! There May be a Problem Upriver”)

"The book is a collection of short tales and Burnett skillfully converts his dry wit into many a good laugh." -- Jennifer Stone, Athens (Texas) Daily Review, April 10, 2005, page B1

"The book is a collection of short tales and Burnett skillfully converts his dry wit into many a good laugh." -- Jennifer Stone, Athens Daily Review

"This book focuses on the lighter side…[it] will certainly appeal to readers looking for funny adventures." -- Ranger – The Journal of the Association of National Park Rangers, Summer, 2005, page 19, “In Print” column

"This book focuses on the lighter side…[it] will certainly appeal to readers looking for funny adventures." -- Ranger – The Journal of the Association of National Park Rangers

"…a lighthearted collection of stories… retired park ranger Jim Burnett…writes about his experiences with a wry sense of humor." -- Ray Sasser, Dallas Morning News,June 12,2005, page 23C

"…a lighthearted collection of stories… retired park ranger Jim Burnett…writes about his experiences with a wry sense of humor." -- Ray Sasser, Dallas Morning News

"…the delightful…book…provides funny and anecdotal stories…Focusing on the lighter side of outdoor adventures, Burnett talks to every camper." -- Trailer Life & MotorHome eNews, July/August 2005, in the “Good Reads and TV” section.

"…the delightful…book…provides funny and anecdotal stories…Focusing on the lighter side of outdoor adventures, Burnett talks to every camper." -- Trailer Life & MotorHome eNews

Product Description

Focusing on the light rather than the serious side of outdoor mishaps and ranger life, this is a book which everyone from seasoned outdoorsmen to armchair travelers will find both entertaining and enlightening. In his thirty years with the National Park Service, Jim Burnett saw it all: boat ramp mishaps that launched cars instead of boats; skunks in the outhouse and other wildlife encounters; visitors looking for the bridge over the Grand Canyon; dumb crooks; and much more.

For those who envy the lives of rangers who live and work in national parks, the book also provides some revealing—and humorous—insights into what that job can really entail, including accounts of an amazing variety of situations that prompt people to knock on a ranger’s door in the middle of the night.

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 (April 25, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1589791916
• ISBN-13: 978-1589791916
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #110,418 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Only mildly amusing, November 20, 2007

By	Arthur Digbee (Indianapolis, IN, USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)

In this book, Jim Burnett collects amusing stories about visitors in the national parks. These people are normally called "tourons," though Burnett doesn't use the term here. Some of the stories come from his career as a park ranger, while other stories come from other rangers who told them to Burnett. He also includes some background on each park where he was stationed during his career (Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Buffalo National River, Glacier National Park, Colonial National Historical Park, and Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial). An appendix provides advice on how not to get hurt being stupid in the national parks.

The book suffers in comparison with other memoir-writers, especially my current favorite, game warden Terry Grosz. Most of Burnett's stories are only mildly amusing, though there are a few good ones. More problematic is the way he tells them - - he gets to the punchline much too fast, so that these stories only last a couple of pages. The second-hand stories are even shorter, more like one-liner jokes. Grosz, in contrast, can spin a tale out much more effectively.

All in all, the book is pleasant enough, and I purchased it at very deep discount, so it's not really disappointing. But there are better options out there.

14 of 16 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

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..."

14 of 16 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

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.