Rubber Legs and White Tail-Hairs by Patrick F. McManus

Rubber Legs and White Tail-Hairs Reviews

• 
  Denise Spicer

  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

  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

  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

  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.
• 
  Anthony

  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

  
  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.
• 
  Empress X

  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!
• 
  Bryan Gish

  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

  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

  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.
• 
  Scquest

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

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

  a humorous collection of stories, some funnier than others.
  
  The one about "Summer Reading" was my favorite.
• 
  Goshen Public Library

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

  30 years later and still just as funny! :)
• 
  Melody

  So many good tales
• 
  Anthony

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

  Hilarious as always!
• 
  M.J. Schwer

  Gave me a few chuckles!
• 
  Gregory

  This was the first McManus book I read.
  This book was loaned to me by my father in-law who has long enjoyed McManus' short stories.
  If you don't know anything about McManus or have never rwad his works, he writes humorous short stories about Fishing, Hunting, Camping, Gun Trading, and just about anything else that can be done out-doors.
  Many of the stories were inspired by experiences from his child hood growing up in the Idaho pad-handle.
  Currently McManus resides in Spokane Washington and is a staff writer for Out-door Life and a few other notable publications.
  whether you're a sportsman or not, I think you will enjoy his collections of short stories.
• 
  Dan

  Patrick McManus has a great sense of humor and wonderful voice in his stories. I found myself regularly laughing out loud while reading and was able to relate with many of the experiences from my own childhood or various scouting activities. The only drawback is the abrupt ending to many of the stories. Some feel like they are moving along well only to have a sudden and often awkward ending. Overall an entertaining read.