ebooks The American Fisherman: How Our Nation's Anglers Founded; Fed; Financed; and Forever Shaped the U.S.A. by Willie Robertson; William Doyle in History

Review

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful. RICK “SHAQ” GOLDSTEIN SAYS: FOR THE REASON I BOUGHT THIS BOOK I WAS DISAPPOINTED… FOR WHAT I FOUND I WAS OVERWHELMED!By Rick Shaq GoldsteinAs an aging Grandfather that is blessed to be alive… due to the fact that I almost died… thirteen years ago… from a brain tumor before I even became a Grandfather. A couple of days before my brain tumor surgery… I sat by myself and searched my life for my greatest moments that I wanted to cherish as I faced possible death… as I was told there was only one surgeon who could possibly perform this type of surgery… and they didn’t know if he was available.I was a single Dad… and for eight years in a row… I would take my son… during his eleven to eighteen-year-old years… to a business associates house in Louisiana for a couple of days fishing each summer. We fished in ponds… we fished… in the bayou… we fished… in the gulf. It truly was the greatest Father-And-Son times of my life. I used to always say: “That’s why it says “SPORTSMAN’S PARADISE” on the Louisiana license plate! Because of those unmatchable years-days-hours-and-minutes… of a Father’s greatest lifetime bliss… I rushed to buy this book… because it was co-authored by Louisiana legend Willie Robertson… I thought for sure it would be almost all about Louisiana fishing….WRONG! There was very little about “My Sportsman’s Paradise”… but man was I shocked… surprised… and entertained… and schooled… in the history of North American fishing! I was caught totally off guard… as the author’s told me everything about fishing from the Vikings… to the Native American Indians ( hope OK to say?)… to how fishing saved General George Washington and his troops… how it saved the Lewis and Clark expedition… how it saved northern civil war troops…The section on the United States Presidents that loved fishing before during and after their Presidency… is illuminating… and easily worth remembering for discussions when you’re out with other fisherman. And you don’t even have to worry about being politically correct when trying to figure out whether it should be “fisherperson”… “fisherwoman”… or fisher…whatever! The historical stories of women… men… boys… girls… are intertwined and doted on in such great numbers… with equal aplomb… and rightfully earned congratulations!The statistics of how gigantic the United States sports fishing industry has become is staggering. The fishing records over the years for men… women… and children… are awe inspiring. The impact of literature from Papa Hemingway to Moby Dick… is but another magnificently placed piece to the puzzle of American fishing.I hope posts the two pictures I’ve included here… as it shows some of my families magical… eternal… loving… moments… made possible by fishing. The first one… is of Father and Son… the picture is from one of our Louisiana fishing trips that was held to my heart when I faced possible death entering brain surgery… and the second picture… ten years later… on my birthday… is with the two Granddaughters that I was blessed to live long enough to meet… love… and… go fishing with!21 of 21 people found the following review helpful. Fishing Has Always Been A Part Of The American SoulBy BassocantorPrior to reading this book; I admit I did not fully appreciate the sport of fishing—and I certainly did not realize the impact fishing had in the history of America. In THE AMERICAN FISHERMAN the author explains all the wondrous events related to fishing. I had no idea that there are 33 million fishermen and women in America; or that fishing is often used in therapy.Willie Robertson explains how; at age 12; he snuck off to trespass and fish from “Harrison’s Pond.” The fish were almost jumping out of the water; and thus he began a lifelong love for fishing: "That first day at Harrison’s Pond was the greatest fishing day of my life. . . It was unbelievable. The Miracle of Harrison’s Pond was true! My bucket was full in twenty minutes flat. . . We caught probably over a hundred fish just on that first day.”This book is a real kick to read; with tons of funny stories; just like Harrison's Pond; however; there’s a serious side to this book as well. Sitting and fishing is relaxing; and can even be a spiritual experience: “Whether I’m hunting or fishing; spending time in the wilderness often feels like a spiritual meditation; and a prayer of appreciation to God.”I found particularly fascinating the (almost) unbelievable historical events related in this book. In the chapter; “The Fish That Won The Last Battle Of The Civil War;” Willie suggests that fishing largely determined the outcome of the last great battle of the Civil War! I confess; I was very skeptical about this claim--but I was proven wrong. Here’s what happened: At Five Forks; Southern Generals Pickett and Lee so looked forward to a fish dinner; they left the troops and told no one where they were. Then; when Union General George Custer attacked; the Southerners were leaderless; and easily defeated by the Union forces. The Battle of Five Forks was lost by the Confederacy because of “a little bunch of tasty fish.”The author also explains the very early (pre-America) days of fishing by Native Americans. In Virgiaia; "Native American tribes fashioned V-shaped traps from stones along the James and Potomac Rivers.” And well before that; the very early Norse settlers were able to survive because of Atlantic cod.Here's another fascinating fact: In Manhatten; there is a special place called “Collect Pond Park." It was here that “a great American sport was born in colonial America.” Willie gives directions to this landmark; and explains; "When you get to the corner of Franklin Street; look to your left. You’ll see a tiny half-forgotten park with a little reflecting pool; flanked by the steel and concrete jungle of Manhattan. It’s called Collect Pond Park. “The author makes another startling claim about fishing—this time; he suggests our entire COUNTRY would be different if not for fishing. In fact; our first president would not have been George Washington! Okay; this time; Willie Robertson; you have gone too far when you claims that; "If it wasn’t for fish; there might never have been a President George Washington. Or even; for that matter; a United States.”Nevertheless; I am proved wrong again. The author has a good explanation to backup this claim He explains that for Washington; “fish was big business. . . Washington’s fish enabled him to build his growing reputation as a Virginia gentleman and finance his budding career as a politician.” If not for his great fishing business; he would never have been there to lead the Continental Army to victory. Not only that; but the troops at Valley Forge would likely have starved without fishing: “The story of how the American Revolution was saved at Valley Forge is partly the story of fish. . . Fish helped win the day; since the Americans were saved from total annihilation."THE AMERICAN FISHERMAN is full of wonderful stories and history about famous events and people—even presidents. In the chapter; "Fishermen in the Modern White House;" the author relates the love of fishing by numerous presidents. FDR; in particular; greatly loved the sport--but not necessarily for the catching: “Roosevelt saw the main benefit of fishing as being not so much the catching of the fish as the mental relaxation it offered.” He used the Navy ship USS Houston to take him on fishing expeditions.One funny story relates how Herbert Hoover was presiding over a “First-Catch-of-the-Year" presentation at the White House. The problem was; the guest of honor--the fish-- had already been cut up for cooking! The chef had to put the fish back together; and "sewed the head and tail back on with needle and thread; stuffed the carcass with cotton; and had the reconstituted creature rushed up to the Rose Garden ceremony.”Not all the presidents were praised for their angling skills. Jimmy Carter’s mom had tough words for her son: “You may be president;” she told him; “but you still haven’t learned how to catch fish.”In case the reader is not yet been convinced; the authors provide numerous appendices that further extol the benefits of fishing. In Appendix C; President George H.W. Bush writes on; “The Thrill of Northern Fishing.” We also hear how “spoon-style” lures got started in 1811; when “Julio Buel accidentally drops a spoon into a lake in Vermont from his rowboat. To his surprise; a large bass appears; gobbles the spoon; and vanishes.”I hope you get the idea. This is one fun book! I found THE AMERICAN FISHERMAN to be a delightful read; as well as informative. I certainly never knew that fishing gave us our first U.S. president; or that fish allowed the troops to survive at Valley Forge; or that one ill-timed fish dinner led Union forces to victory in the last great battle of the Civil War.I confess I had never fully appreciated the sport of fishing before. Well; I do now—and if I’m ever the commander leading my troops into battle; I will NEVER go out for a fish dinner. I will always remember what happened to those Southern generals carelessly munching fish as they lost the battle.Advance Review Copy courtesy of the publisher.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Beautiful blend of fishing tales and historyBy L. D. GranatI bought this book for a friend who loves Duck Dynasty as well as fishing. When it arrived; my fisherman husband grabbed it and started reading; necessitating a second book purchase. My husband; who hasn't read a book in perhaps 20 years or more; couldn't put it down and finished it in a couple of days. His buddy just got his copy a few days ago; and I'm sure he is just as enthusiastic; since he is a former history teacher; a fisherman; and has a love of books.If you love fishing and history; this book is for you!