Rubber Legs And White Tail-hairs

by Patrick F. McManus

an alternate cover edition can be found here

America's favorite outdoor humorist is back with an outrageously fresh collection of stories. He introduces a variety of friends old and new, and takes readers to many exotic locales outdoors and indoors.

Genres: Humor, Fiction, Comedy, Outdoors, Short Stories, Adventure, Nature

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1987

About the author

Patrick F. McManus is an American outdoor humor writer. A humor columnist for Outdoor Life and other magazines, his columns have been collected in several books.

Reviews

[Caleb CW · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh man, this guy is a hoot. This one isn't quite as funny as the other ones in his collection, but it's still a good time. I always highly recommend giving McManus a go as he's good for the giggles.

There it is and there you have it.

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

McManus's genius (yes, genius) lies in the fact that this is funny whether you're an outdoorsy type or not. You can relate. You've all got a crazy friend like Crazy Eddie, a moron who outsmarts you like Retch Sweeney, a local coot named Rancid Crabtree. You've all had a favorite animal, a wicked relative, a boring school day. You've all felt out of place among a fishing guide, animal handler, a guy who tells hunting stories and felt like an amateur. There's always a junk car that's better than whatever you rented last week, and certainly more memorable.

So McManus is everyone, except Everyone doesn't quote Thurber, much less make it accessible.

[Denise Spicer · Rating 5 out of 5]

In these 27 amusing short stories, the author reminisces about his childhood in Idaho and relates tall tales from his hunting and fishing experiences. The humor ranges from wry chuckles to roll on the floor laughter. This book is definitely worth the quick read. The characters are not only funny but eccentric – true examples of classic Americana.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hey! Found another collection of Mr. McMannus’s short stories! Derived from his childhood in rural Idaho, these are largely columns from “Outdoor Life” and other such magazines thinly disguised as reminiscences. Of course, the usual cast of characters (Retch Sweeny, Crazy Eddie Muldoon, Rancid “Crabtree, and of course Bun the patient-for-only-so long wife) are here. As for the themes, well, I recall my own long-suffering wife Barbara, after watching the movie “Green Street Hooligans” along with my brothers and their spouses, described it as “a documentary about how stupid boys are.” Seems apropos here.

My favorites of the 25 or so stories are “Not Long for this Whirl,” the title story, and the “Angler’s Dictionary,” which includes such terms as “Wicker Creel,” ad dance one does upon getting a hook caught under one’s fingernail; and “Rock,” a tool used to fix an expensive reel in the absence of a similar item in one’s tool box.

A continuing series of very hilarious and entertaining selections. Hope to find more of ‘em.

[Jay French · Rating 4 out of 5]

I quite enjoy the work of Patrick McManus, especially the short stories about the people of his youth. In my time I have known some like Rancid Crabtree, Retch Sweeny, and Crazy Eddie Muldoon, and I’ve been involved in some crazy episodes, but the ones McManus writes about are so over-the-top they are hilarious. His more modern stories --- bah. Give me the farcical memories of the schemes that bored guys come up with to have some fun. My favorite is “The Mountain Car”, which sounds similar to a convertible I used to drive.

If I'm not mistaken I have listened to some of these stories released on audio cassette, narrated by George S. Irving. Those are a real treat - if you can find the ones with Irving as the narrator, listen and enjoy. His voices for "the gang" are hilarious.

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read a few of PFMcM's books as a child in the mid 1980's (a child who really had no business reading them then) but they are just as entertaining today as I recall them being then. Funny and relateable, even for someone who wasn't growing up in the 40's or living in the western wilderness.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

My 12 year old boys were belly laughing at this book. We listened to it on a road trip and it made the trip fly by. There were a few parts we skipped because of parts I wasn’t comfortable with regarding sex, but as a family read aloud, we all enjoyed it.

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

Twenty-seven short stories as only McManus can tell using humor, far-fetched antidotes, whimsical story telling, and a bit of questionable truths about the joys and pitfalls of hunting, camping and fishing in the great outdoors.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read aloud with my 14 yo son over a period of many weeks. Both of us laughed out loud, even though we are not hunters or even avid campers.

[Shiloah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a trip down memory lane. Hilarious!

[Glen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bunch of short stories detailing various episodes of a misspent rural youth.

Pretty funny sometimes.

[Laird · Rating 5 out of 5]

For the first time in my life I had an asthma attack while reading one of the chapters in this book I was laughing so hard. I was up in bed reading. My wife was downstairs and thought something was amiss. This book tells of growing up in rural Idaho and all the crazy stupid things boys do. He is the finest humorist I have ever read and that includes Dave Barry. If you think your life needs a few more laughs, and lets face it we all do, then read this book. A very gifted writer.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twenty-seven short, humorous essays on life in and around the outdoors. These essays poke fun at fishermen, hunters, campers, and the rest of who often wander into the great outdoors and think "I can climb that mountain" or "hike that trail" without giving a thought about the fact that we are out of shape and without the proper equipment. McManus is a very funny writer.

[Empress X · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was over all pretty good! I loved all the funny stories, but! I have a few complaints... it was kind of boring at times and sometimes I was happy I was finally done with a chapter.

:) That is all, for now or forever!

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have no interest in hunting or fishing, but I love these books, anyway.

In Rubber Legs and White Tail-Hairs, Patrick McManus brings exactly the same kind of folksy and self-deprecating humor I've enjoyed in all of his books. His stories are part tall-tale and part absolute nonsense, with just enough biography sprinkled in to make you wonder where reality left off and chaos took over.

I remember taking turns reading these books out loud on road trips with my parents. My dad and the author had a lot in common including a love for the outdoors and the ability to spin a yarn. He got such a kick out of these stories and would sometimes compare them to his own childhood adventures.

The tales are full of silly asides and ridiculous extremes, but never float off into absolute absurdity. I think my favorite was the great pig caper. That poor state trooper had no idea what hit him.

You don't have to love hunting or fishing or even going outside much to enjoy this book. You just need a sense of humor and a love of silliness. If you're as lucky as I was to have a dad like mine, that helps, too.

5 Missing-My-Dad-Now Stars

[Terry Steinborn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another collection of Patrick McManus' humorous essays published for the most part in outdoors-oriented magazines, such as Field & Stream, Outdoor Life, etc. Each is only a few pages long and covers some aspect of outdoor recreation, such as hunting, fishing and camping. He recounts personal experiences with his friends at various stages in his life, mostly as a boy growing up in the mountains of northern Idaho. Each of these experiences is enhanced to highlight the humorous aspects, many at his own experience. His writing style is understated but still clearly emphasizing the errors made and general unpleasantness encountered while camping, fishing or hunting. Through all of this the reader can tell that McManus clearly enjoys his outdoor activities and that he is an experienced outdoorsman. After reading a number of these short essays I find it necessary to take a bit of a break, as the humor tends to become a bit stale if taken in large doses.

[Lana Kamennof-sine · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's no doubt that Patrick McManus has experienced the great outdoors first hand and this collection of stories from his childhood up until his adult years are a fun compilation of the weird & wonderful that creative kids could get up to in the great outdoors. Think his ability to initially mention a number e.g 12 times that then evolves every paragraph is perfect being both amusing & yet realistic, based upon males in my family ;-)

[Bryan Gish · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had forgotten a little bit about Mr. McManus' wonderfully funny books. Right now I'm sitting in quarantine, as is most everyone, and was looking for some lighter fare to read and for some reason his name popped into mind. I remembered borrowing these from my grandmother when I was still a pre-teen and loving every bit of them. So now I'm off to the next one.

[Sarah Piper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Patrick McManus is just ridiculously funny. It’s more of an eye-roll bad dad joke kind of funny ... but funny nonetheless.

As a reader: “Summer Reading” is wonderful and the greatest thing EVER!

“Shooter” is one of my favorites but I’m partial to the stories of Patrick’s youth. And “Letter to Santa” is priceless!!

[Audrey · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a collection of essays about boyhood, camping, fishing, pranks, and hunting. If you like those things, you are golden. You will have a grand time with this book. If you aren't fond of those things, you will still chuckle at the dirty, grimy, gooey insanity of boys.

[Donna Dieckmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Talk about laughing out loud!
Funny!
This is the story to read around a campfire.

[Scquest · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious. If you enjoy the outdoors and humor, McManus will not disappoint.

[Kimberlei Taylor · Rating 1 out of 5]

Did not resonate with me...kept it around for a year or so...donated! Hah, nearly two years...bye, bye.

[Brett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another enjoyable compilation by Patrick McManus. I grew up on his stories and have enjoyed listening to them with my boys as we drive to and from our own outdoor adventures.

[Zachary Siegrist · Rating 5 out of 5]

Patrick McManus always cracks me up, love his books.

[Heather(Gibby) · Rating 3 out of 5]

a humorous collection of stories, some funnier than others.

The one about "Summer Reading" was my favorite.

[Goshen Public Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny outdoor stories. Very Entertaining. [Audiobook available on RBdigital]

[Matt E · Rating 5 out of 5]

30 years later and still just as funny! :)

[David Meyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Similar to the other works of his that I've read, this was fun and enjoyable.

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

Patrick F. McManus spins a few yarns, and keeps the reader entertained with laughs as he shares moments from his life.