Synopses & Reviews
In this powerful collection, classics including Guy de Maupassants “Love” and Ernest Hemingways “The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber” join contemporary offerings such as Wallace Stegners “The Blue-Winged Teal,” “On the Antler” by E. Annie Proulx, and David Quammens “Walking Out.” From duck, goose, and grouse hunting to stiffer contests for deer, elk, moose, bear, and big African game—in one case, even a manhunt—all kinds of hunting and all possible outcomes, from the comic to the heartwarming, disastrous, or bizarre, are explored. Against the backdrop of ocean, frozen swamp, forest, or jungle, we see the deep bonds between father and son, huntsman and dog, man and nature being forged or shattered as the line between sport and survival blurs, and the hunter risks becoming prey to weather, to circumstance, or to human and animal foes.
Review
“A book you should buy (even if you dont hunt).” —
Esquire magazine
Review
“A great example of a collection of hunting stories that covers the entire spectrum.” —Times Union
Review
“Packed with fine prose from notable authors both classic and contemporary.” —
Library JournalReview
“Hunters heading to camp can do no better than to pack along Hunting's Best Short Stories.” —The Spokesman-Review
Review
“A commanding book that every hunter needs to read.” —The Morning Call
Review
“One of the best reads I have come across in a long time.” —Texas Fish & Game
Synopsis
The drama, danger, and energy of the hunt are unsurpassed as inspiration for short-story writers, many of whom have been fine hunters themselves. This collection spans the full range of the 20th century and boasts many prize-winning authors and stories, including Wallace Stegners “The Blue-Winged Teal,” Thomas McGuanes “Sportsmen,” and Lawrence Sargent Halls “The Ledge,” as well as Ernest Hemingways “The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber” and riveting selections by David Quammen, Rick Bass, and E. Annie Proulx. A lighter side of the sport is provided in Irvin S. Cobbs “The Plural of Moose Is Mise,” while T. Coraghessan Boyles “Big Game” plays wickedly on the Hemingway classic.
About the Author
Paul D. Staudohar is the editor of
Baseballs Best Short Stories and other books. He lives in Lafayette, California.
Table of Contents
Opening day /David Guterson --The Harlows' Christmas dinner /Escolos --Communist /Richard Ford --Short happy life of Francis Macomber /Ernest Hemingway --Easterly /Ted Walker --The dodger /Henry P. Davis --A last low pass /Kim J. Zupan --The most dangerous game /Richard Connell --Sportsmen /Thomas McGuane --Doe Season /David Michael Kaplan --Blue-winged teal /Wallace Stegner -- Plural of moose is mise /Irvin S. Cobb --Love /Guy de Maupassant --Walking out /David Quammen --Unclouded day /E. Annie Proulx --Trails end /Sig Olson --The ledge /Lawrence Sargent Hall --Elk /Rick Bass --Big game /T. Coraghessan Boyle --Simple presence of geese /Tony Earley --The road to Tinkhamtown /Corey Ford.