Patrick F. McManus

Patrick F. McManus (1933-2018) was an American humor writer and journalist best known for his stories about the outdoors, hunting, fishing, and camping. His work appeared regularly in Field & Stream and Outdoor Life magazines, where he wrote monthly columns for over three decades. McManus published more than two dozen books including collections of his outdoor humor essays such as "A Fine and Pleasant Misery," "They Shoot Canoes, Don't They?" and "The Night the Bear Ate Goombaw." His stories often featured recurring characters like Rancid Crabtree, Crazy Eddie Muldoon, and his real-life sister Patricia "the Troll" McManus, weaving semi-autobiographical tales about misadventures in the wilderness. Beyond his outdoor humor writing, McManus served as a journalism professor at Eastern Washington University and wrote a series of mystery novels featuring Sheriff Bo Tully. His work earned him multiple awards from the Outdoor Writers Association of America. The author's writing style combined exaggeration, self-deprecating humor, and vivid characterizations to create stories that appealed to both outdoors enthusiasts and general readers. His books have sold millions of copies and continue to be popular among readers interested in outdoor life and humor writing.

Readers consistently highlight McManus's ability to make them laugh out loud while reading his outdoor misadventures. Many reviewers mention reading his stories multiple times and sharing them with family members across generations. What readers liked: - Clean, family-friendly humor that works for all ages - Relatable childhood experiences and camping mishaps - Memorable recurring characters, especially Rancid Crabtree - Short story format makes books easy to pick up and put down - Accurate portrayal of small-town rural life What readers disliked: - Some stories feel repetitive across different collections - Later books didn't maintain the same quality level - Bo Tully mystery series departure wasn't as well-received Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: Most books average 4.2-4.5 out of 5 stars Amazon: Consistent 4.5-5 star ratings, with 90%+ positive reviews One reader noted: "McManus captures the essence of growing up in the outdoors - the mishaps, the learning experiences, and most importantly the humor in it all."

They Shoot Canoes, Don't They? - A collection of humorous outdoor stories featuring recurring characters like Rancid Crabtree and Crazy Eddie Muldoon.

A Fine and Pleasant Misery - Essays about camping, fishing, and hunting mishaps in the American Northwest.

Never Sniff a Gift Fish - Tales of outdoor misadventures focusing on fishing experiences and childhood memories.

The Grasshopper Trap - Stories about hunting, camping, and growing up in rural Idaho during the 1940s and 1950s.

The Night the Bear Ate Goombaw - Collection of outdoor humor essays featuring childhood adventures and adult misfortunes.

Real Ponies Don't Go Oink! - Narratives about outdoor life, featuring stories about horses, hunting, and wilderness mishaps.

The Good Samaritan Strikes Again - Humorous essays about outdoor activities and small-town life in the American West.

How I Got This Way - Semi-autobiographical collection detailing the author's development as an outdoorsman and writer.

The Bear in the Attic - Stories about encounters with wildlife and outdoor misadventures in the Pacific Northwest.

Kerplunk! - Collection of hunting and fishing stories featuring both childhood memories and adult experiences.

Into the Twilight, Endlessly Grousing - Essays about outdoor life focusing on hunting, fishing, and camping experiences.

The Horse in My Garage and Other Stories - Collection of stories about rural life, outdoor adventures, and family experiences.

Dave Barry writes newspaper columns and books about everyday life with a focus on humor and absurdity. His observations about family, technology, and American culture share McManus's talent for finding comedy in common situations.

Bill Bryson combines outdoor adventures and travel writing with self-deprecating humor. His tales of hiking and exploring mirror McManus's outdoor misadventures while maintaining a similar storytelling style.

Robert Ruark wrote about hunting, fishing, and outdoor life in the mid-20th century. His collections of outdoor stories and essays contain the same mix of practical knowledge and humorous anecdotes found in McManus's work.

Gene Hill focused on hunting, fishing, and dogs in his newspaper columns and books. His stories capture the same nostalgic appreciation for outdoor traditions and sporting lifestyle that McManus explored.

Ed Zern wrote about fishing, hunting, and outdoor life for Field & Stream magazine from the 1950s through the 1980s. His combination of practical outdoor knowledge and humor matches McManus's approach to outdoor writing.