With spring in full bloom and summer on the way, here are some of the books we’ve been enjoying.
Tenth Legion by Colonel Tom Kelly
Every year when turkey season approaches, we reach for our copy of Tenth Legion, arguably the greatest book ever written about the spirit of turkey hunting. Tenth Legion details the cult-like dedication and culture of hunting around this all-American bird. At times hilarious, at others poignant, and always intelligent and witty, Tenth Legion is unfiltered turkey gospel from one of turkey hunting’s most legendary figures. It’s one we read every year in anticipation of turkey season. Early spring mornings, gobbling toms, thunderstorms, shotgun shells, and full chokes—this is a “deviant subculture” we fully support.
Running Waters by Datus Proper
Datus Proper is probably the best outdoor writer most people have never heard of. From bird dogs to brown trout, he penned some incredible essays and short stories in his tragically short writing career. Running Waters is a collection of stories about people, rivers, flies, and fish. It presents Proper’s distinctive philosophy of fishing and life in lyrical essays that are on par with Hemingway and Harrison. Running Waters is filled with thoughtful observations on fly fishing: wild and beautiful fish, wild and beautiful places, wild and beautiful people. We highly recommend throwing this book into your pack and savoring it one essay at a time on a lazy streamside day.
You’re Not Lost if You Can Still See the Truck by Bill Heavey
No one can have you hurting from laughter one page, only to have you sobbing the next like Bill Heavey. Known for his dedication to being “America’s everyman outdoorsman” and immeasurable wit, Heavey has detailed his outdoor experiences in the pages of Field & Stream for more than two decades. Your Not Lost if You Can Still See the Truck, is a collection of more than 60 of his best essays. If you’ve never read Heavey before you’re in for a treat—think Mark Twain meets Hunter Thompson meets George Plimpton. While Heavey certainly “buys the ticket and takes the ride,” he also brings readers into his personal world, which at times involves tragedy, grief, and renewal. His essays are certainly funny, but they can also be raw and soul-baring. What we like most about Heavey is that whether he’s trying to catch a few fish or bag a big buck, he’s always alert to the absurdity of his pursuits and life in general, all while never losing reverence for it.
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