The Decoy Artist: America's Last Hunter-Carver

By David F. Giannetto

"The Decoy Artist does with words what I have always tried to do with paint: bring to life the beauty of waterfowl and the spirit of the men who pursue them. It tells the true story of these legendary men through the life of one of today's finest decoy carvers."
-Rob Leslie, eighteen-time state duck stamp artist and 1996 Ducks Unlimited's International Artist of the Year

In this biography, world-class decoy carver Vincent Giannetto III comes of age in the Delaware River region. Growing up on his family's farmland in Beverly, New Jersey, Vincent felt the intimate call of the outdoors and forged a strong connection with the Delaware River. He longed to be one of the fiercely independent river rats, men who made their living from the land. Skipping school to spend time on the river, he watches the hunter-carvers, learning the role of the decoy while struggling to make his own without guidance from these secretive men.

Vincent, balancing family and structure with his passion for the outdoors, became as unique and valuable as the decoys he carved. He has been a guest of the White House, where his work was displayed on the White House Christmas tree and subsequently placed in the Smithsonian Institute.

Photographs of Vincent's work and his original drawings accompany this tale of an American dream come true.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1589807685
• ISBN13: 9781589807686
• Release Date: September 2010
• Publisher: Pelican Publishing Company
• Length: 205 Pages
• Weight: 2.38 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 11.2" x 8.5"