Love those books!!! We have 5 or 6 of them!!

You might do alright with these Vinke. As I recall each chapter or story was only a few pages long.

I've got most of them, One of his later ones that I picked up fairly recently, "Into the Twilight, Endlessly Grousing" is sitting beside me right now. He didn't live that far from me and just died a couple years ago, I regret not going to one of his book signings. I loved his books as a kid, and I think as a rule his older books were better, but he wrote a couple fiction mystery novels about a sheriff that were quite good also, and still hilarious.

I think we have bought and gifted every one of them to our son for Christmas and birthdays. Fine collection of humor and also things of value.
"Roads that go up hill dead end, and roads that go down hill get narrower and narrower".

I think I have about everyone he wrote. Back in the day I belonged to the Outdoor Life Book Club.
I think that's where I got most of them. Very funny guy!

I've got them all and still read them from time to time. Reading in bed and the wife asks what the heck's so funny.

I always envisioned Rancid Crabtree as a little crustier version of a trapping mentor I had as a kid!

I was reading McManus when he first started in Field and Stream. That was the early 70's.

One of my favorite authors.

Great writer, sort of the Gary Larson of outdoor writing.

Always enjoyed his humor in O.L.
Was sad when I heard he was busted for taxes. Never heard what became of that. Anyone know?

Every boy needs a dog and an old curmudgeon.

I love the stories about "Strange", the dog who smoked, carried switchblades, etc

He certainly had a humerus way of writing these stories
I remember when my outdoor life magazine came , that was always the first thing I would read
He was one of a kind , very funny

Do you remember the name of his Field and Stream column? The one he did for Outdoor Life right after that was called The Last Laugh.

I think I still have a bunch of them in a box somewhere. They are excellent books that every kid should read. At least kids that go outside occasionally.

I don't. But that was where "A Fine and Pleasant Misery" was first printed.

If you can dig up an article entitled “My Stoneage”, it is well worth the effort. Never (to my knowledge) published in book form.

One line I remember about "Strange", It was after this worthless dog died an everybody was going on about how great he was. "nothing improves a persons charter more than death."