America's favorite outdoor humorist is back with an outrageously fresh collection of stories. He introduces a variety of friends old and new, and takes readers to many exotic locales outdoors and indoors.
I love him but I will bow to no one in my appreciation of Mcmanus, I have read his books and literally rolled onto the floor laughing so hard I was crying. Rubber Legs and White Tail-Hairs is not his funniest. I don't regret getting it but in relation to several others this book is about a C+ rather than an A+. The stories in "The Night the Bear ate Goomba" for example makes me cry; Fortunately I didn't wet my pants too. Everything by McManus is worth reading but he sets such a high standard for himself it would be impossible to reach the bar every time.
Long, detailed stories that start simple and just keep getting bigger and better McManus is an excellent storyteller and his stories on this tape are those that start with a simple problem and expand out into a lengthy tale. My favorite was the story that begins with him trying to tie a fishing fly and how he always seems to be lacking a key component. In this case, it is white hairs from the tail of a calf. As he is venting his frustration, his friend comes in for another purpose and tells him that he saw some calves in a pen that had white tails. At least they are white under the barnyard gunk stuck to them. They get in the car and drive to the farm, and when they arrive they see an entire pen full of calves. He goes to the door to request permission to remove some hair but there is no answer. Three dollars are placed in an envelope for payment along with an explanation of the reason. He then goes into the pen and the calves are extremely friendly, they begin chewing and licking him to the point where he cannot clip any hairs. His friend is then coaxed into assisting and while he holds the ears, his friend holds the tail. The calf is then spooked and takes off across the barnyard with his friend holding onto the tail. His feet raise furrows of barnyard gunk that remind him of a water skier. His friend ends up against the fence, being cautiously approached by the farmer and a hired hand. Since his friend is articulate, he leaves the friend to fend for himself, but not before he stops back at the door to the house to retrieve his three dollars. These stories are of the type where I did not laugh out loud, and only occasionally emitted a small chuckle. However, my funny bone was constantly stimulated as I imagined the surfer. Another farm type story is when three men purchase some young pigs and try to haul them home in gunnysacks in the back of a station wagon. The pigs get loose and the erratic driving arouses the suspicions of a police officer. If you have ever chased young pigs, you know exactly what was going on inside that car.
'Pass out laughing' funny I have always thought that Patrick McManus is the funniest writer on the planet. I read his stories when I need to laugh or relax. Sometimes I irritate my wife by reading it in bed. I try not to laugh out loud, but I only succeed in sounding like I am trying to muffle continuous sneezes.
However, not everyone gets it. I have been shocked by watching people read McManus without so much as a smile (though most start snorting like wild pigs on acid) . My only guess is that getting McManus requires a couple things. First, it requires some understanding of his experiences. He absolutely nails all of the stupid things 'outdoors men (outdoors people)' do and think, but don't want anybody to know about. Second, you have to see the self-deprecating aspect of his humor. Third, you can't look for great literature in integrated books. Patrick McManus is an excellent writer, if you see these as independent stories simply collected in a volume. They are meant for adults who want to laugh at themselves. So, If you are willing to or already meet the above three criteria, you will love this book.
By the way, I am a professor of clinical psychology and (other than worrying a little about McManus) I sometimes recommend this and other McManus books. I do this with people who have racing thoughts and anxiety at bedtime, and when I believe they have the necessary experiences to find it funny. It often works quite well. I think of his stories as little pieces of happiness. (Oh, that even makes me sick to hear. Sorry)
McManus' funniest ever! Fans of Pat, Retch Sweeney, The Troll, Al Finley and the manic Rancid Crabtree will love this collection! I especially love the chapter where Rancid helps the boys make an ice sled out of an old truck fender and a parachute. This book made me laugh several times throughout, and brought back a lot of my own memories growing up in Washington's timber country. A must-read for any McManus fan!
I'm the guy in "Outdoor Burnout". I am the guy Pat talks about at the beginning of "Outdoor Burnout" At the time I wrote to him I was sick of the outdoors and nature in general, Pat put it all into perspective for me. Now when I get fed up with bad weather, balky lanterns, leaky tents, and all the other hazards of the great outdoors, I stop and think, "Pat could make a great story out of this".
Anything Goes Trivia
Megaton Man
Trevor
