THE GRASSHOPPER TRAP

by Patrick F. McManus ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 9, 1985

Funniest guy in the Outdoor Life and Field and Stream gang, McManus here offers another bag of whimsey in the Great Outdoors. It's enough to tickle the most rabid member of the National Rifle Association or even readers of Gutmann Knife Annual (where one of the nicest pieces originally appeared). Sure, it's more redolent of half-heated baked beans and camp coffee than petit fours, and good clean fun for all that. Meet McManus' old pal Retch Sweeney; and Rancid Crabtree, a woodsman instantly familiar to the imagination of any kid of 50 who grew up waiting for the next issue of Open Road for Boys. Learn anglers' and hunters' arcane secrets and superstitions. A boat will run a bit sluggish unless you take it off the trailer, and it's probably a bad omen to be chased by an enraged bear when you are out of ammo. Hunting camp etiquette is not neglected, of course. Never ask the cook what's in the stew. That's not polite, and it may be hash, scrambled eggs or pancakes in the first place. The author presents a few household hints, too, like how to sneak yet another gun into the house. Though he seems sometimes to be resting on his laurels--or his poison ivy--McManus has the knack of getting some truths down on paper with a whittled stick and some blackberry juice. He's at his best, perhaps, in telling the balding set just how to have been a kid. A text light enough to keep in your backpack, even if you forget the compass.

Pub Date: Aug. 9, 1985

ISBN: 0805001115

Page Count: -

Publisher: Holt, Rinehart & Winston

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: July 15, 1985

Categories: NONFICTION