They Shoot Canoes, Don't They?

By Patrick F. McManus

Book Overview

Hilarious and heartwarming stories of outdoor mishaps and misadventures from the beloved five-time New York Times bestselling humorist, Patrick F. McManus, "a writer who makes people laugh out loud, hard." (The New York Times)

Among the twenty-five hysterical stories gathered in They Shoot Canoes, Don't They? are the true but little known history of the discovery of live bait by Genghis Khan's chef, an examination of the fanatical expertise required for ice fishing, and a consideration of the circumstances that can cause a deer to ride a bicycle.

Outdoor enthusiast of all skill levels will also appreciate McManus's "Hunter's Dictionary," an invaluable guide to such terms of art as "Ooooooeee-ah-ah-ah (If there's one thing I hate, it's putting on cold, wet pants in the morning)" and "Baff mast pime ig bead feas mid miff pife (That's the last time I try to eat peas in the dark with my hunting knife )"

Including classic stories such as "The Sensuous Angler" and "My First Deer, and Welcome To It."

"McManus here follows up A Fine and Pleasant Misery with a collection of sketches that launches him into the front ranks of outdoor humorists." --Library Journal

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0805000305
• ISBN13: 9780805000306
• Release Date: September 1982
• Publisher: Holt Paperbacks
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 0.61 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.4" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

Funniest book I have ever read!!!!!

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.

You don't need to be a fisherman to get it

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.

BUY THIS BOOK!

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)

we laugh so hard we cry!!!

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!

Outdoor humor comparable to Keillor's "Lake Wobegone" saga

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.