Lots of fun

I seldom see Field & Stream these days, but in my youth it was a family favorite and universally available in waiting rooms in our part of the country. I always enjoyed the stories and learned from them. But that was then and this is now and my life outdoors is not involved with hunting (actually I don't care to hunt) or fishing (which I love, but seldom do anymore), so it was a treat to get this book to review.

If you can look at a hunting and fishing book without the top blowing off your skull, then you will probably enjoy this one a lot and even indulge in some out-loud laughs. Mr. Heavey has an enviable life getting paid to slog through mud and snow and be eaten alive by mosquitoes, ticks, and leeches. (Actually there aren't any leeches here, probably because Mr. Heavey has learned to keep them mostly out of his stories.) He writes about his life and adventures in a clean, straight-forward style that is so rare these days.

I received a review copy of "Should the Tent Be Burning Like That?: A Professional Amateur's Guide to the Outdoors" by Bill Heavey (Grove Atlantic) through NetGalley.com. ( )

Should the Tent Be Burning Like That?: A Professional Amateur's Guide to the Outdoors
by Bill Heavey

My father taught me how to shoot a rifle when I was young and before I raised the weapon I was told that it was never to be pointed at anything living. I kept that lesson close and always wondered about people who hunt for sport. Bill Heavey has successfully, humorously and intelligently explained why hunting is more than a challenging sport. He can make you understand that “an hour means nothing; the innocent rustle of leaves is a matter of life or death; and a change in the wind can bring panic or euphoria.”

I probably didn’t need the detail on flies and fishing lures but wow, really an $85,000.00 rifle?! Heavey tells stories that are infused with homilies that just make you understand and feel better. There is Tony, who owns a tackle store, and has a purpose and a connection to his business “It’s about running things the way his father and grandfather had, not just profitably but well, aiming higher than the bottom line. It is about honor.” And Heavey gets it. He understands on the day that he kills a deer as an older hunter the sport was becoming more complicated for him introspectively. There is always a personal price to be paid.

He has the ability to describe lunatic situations with great alacrity, self-deprecatory wit and sense of self. He can be humble, and wrong-footed but always an avid and eager hunter and fisherman. He describes how in his hands “a fly line becomes a physical example of Obsessional Defiant Disorder - negative, disobedient, and hostile.” We are taken into his closest relationships and friendships and made to understand that this is a man who cherishes those who pierce his armor. He admits to too much time alone and gives credit to those who make him remember that he is “straddling the edge between the sublime and the ridiculous, that that was exactly” where “he belonged”

These are a great bunch of stories and I am so glad I invested the time to get to know more about Bill Heavey and his years of outdoor sporting activities. ( )

A collection of the author's articles written for Field and Stream magazine. If you love hunting and fishing, you will really enjoy this book. Heavey is a very entertaining and funny writer. ( )

Full disclosure: I’ve never hunt, fished or read a magazine dealing with either. I actually picked this book because I do love the outdoors and camping and I was so glad I did.

Bill Heavey reminds me of a sports version of W. Bruce Cameron or Dave Barry. This book was similar in a lot of ways to a recent one of Cameron’s I read only this is ALL about fishing and hunting.

As someone with no background in the sports I still had no trouble loving the book. I’m sure those who actually know what he’s talking about when it comes to tackle, bows, guns and deer lures can appreciate it more but not having any familiarity with them didn’t stop me from thinking Heavey is a fantastic writer. I ended up waking my husband thanks to laughing so loud at his stories.

If you have an outdoor sports enthusiast this is a must buy for them as they will surely appreciate some of the antics Heavey gets himself into or emphasize with the pitfalls of spending days trying to hunt / fish only to end up with nothing but memories of a great journey in the attempt.

I adored this book and thanks to Heavey’s descriptive prose and talent for writing in a way the common person can understand people from all kinds of backgrounds and interests will find something to love and laugh about in this wonderful collection. ( )