How I Got This Way

By: Patrick McManus

Narrated by: Norman Dietz

Length: 7 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

Grab your fishing net and hold onto your funny-bone; you're in for a hilarious romp through the woods with best-selling funnyman Patrick McManus. How I Got This Way is a rib-tickling collection of stories about the outdoors guaranteed to leave you chuckling. Join McManus and his pals on a venture into the Idaho wilderness that includes taking a hike with - ahem - the president of the United States.

©1994 Patrick F. McManus (P)1995 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

"Stories abound about hunting, fishing and arduous treks, including a piece about hiking with George Bush during the 1992 presidential campaign. There's entertainment aplenty here that even indoorsy folk should enjoy." ( Publishers Weekly)

great stories, I miss George S Irving as the reade

great stories, I miss George S Irving as the reader. He really brought the characters to life. I first listened to these on tapes from the library, but can't find them anywhere anymore. if it wasn't for my continuous unconscious comparison of Norman to George, I might have rated the performance higher.
So........if you can find the stories read by George S Irving, please try them. You'll thank me.

Good ole McManus, will leave you in stitches

Would you consider the audio edition of How I Got This Way to be better than the print version?

The present day Mark Twain for the modern sportsman, McManus's self-deprecating approach to humor is something that almost any outdoors person can relate to. With the help of great narration to bring the stories to life, you will no doubt reflect upon your own hunting experiences and tribulations both in the field and out.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Rancid will always hold a special place in my heart.

Have you listened to any of Norman Dietz’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I've heard a couple of different narrators of McManus stories, and short of having the author read them himself, Dietz's readings are by far the best in my opinion.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

McManus always makes me laugh.

Endangered my life, I laughed so hard.

Thank goodness sarcasmism exists. I'm terrible at it but it brings so much joy to my life. If you're a fellow sarcasmism enjoyer, give this book a go.

how I got this way

very funny as always pat is the best

Absolutely the best

…and if I do say so myself, McManus’ works are STILL teaching comedic outdoor enthusiasts and wilderness grown adults to be creative writers to his day.
Also, too, these works are a great lesson in ordinary mental health.
Keep it coming.
Norman Dietz, you are the voice of McManus to an entire generation if not more. Without your wry tones and expressive vocals much would be lost of the story.

Mark Twain meets Bertie Wooster

Unless you are one of those serious, intellectual grumps, you gotta love Patrick McManus. Even I ??? who have less-than-zero appreciation for hunting and fishing ??? love Patrick McManus ??? maybe because he never actually kills anything in his humorous pieces about hunting and fishing. In fact, many of the stories in "How I Got This Way" brag ??? self-deprecatingly ??? about how he not only never bags any game or fish, but keeps everyone around him from catching anything, too. "How I Got This Way" tells about his childhood in Idaho during the Great Depression. Of course, he may be exaggerating a teensy bit; but I think that he is basing his stories on real people and real experiences while growing up mostly in the outdoors. Think Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn. You will love meeting his friends ??? like Rancid Crabtree and Crazy Eddie ??? and enemies ??? like the entire Scragg family ??? and you will enjoy seeing these same characters pop up later in his Bo Tully novels. I recommend "How I Got This Way" unconditionally to anyone with a sense of humor ??? even if you don't like hunting and fishing.

I was unfamiliar with Patrick McManus...

Any additional comments?

...and neither was my driving partner, but this audiobook kept cracking us up on our road trip to Florida. The hours flew by. We're getting another for the ride back.

Great as always.

Patrick again had stories that make you laugh out loud and that you can relate to. The narrator does a great job as well.

Great book!

great book I really loved it perfect for listening to a long car rides I like all of Patrick Mcmanus books good reads for car rides

Laughed so hard I found unknown belly muscles

Would you consider the audio edition of How I Got This Way to be better than the print version?

The performance was perfect!

What other book might you compare How I Got This Way to and why?

None

Which character – as performed by Norman Dietz – was your favorite?

This is not a useful review question and I wish Audible wouldn't use it for non-fiction and certain other types of books.

Any additional comments?

I am not into hunting or fishing, but am a fan of comedy where humanity is examined and quirks and humor are found, examined, and presented. Mr McManus is such a gifted observer and story teller. So much of today's humor is raunchy with a focus on sex and using foul language in the delivery. Without using these easy attention getting tools Mr McManus tells folksy, yet deep, stories that bring out a lot of laughter. That he can do a better job at making people laugh and still keep it clean is to be commended.

This audiobook started off quietly and slowly and at first I thought I had made a mistake and was thinking about turning it off and listening to something else. But the story about the chickens and priest made me laugh so hard that I felt muscles in my belly that I didn't know I had. And further stories down the line had me laughing so that I felt unworked muscles in my throat. Not every story made me laugh so hard, but at the very least I was smiling or enjoying another glimpse of humanity, friendship, and our foibles.

I would not recommend this book to someone who has recently had surgery in the abdominal region.