Thomas McGuane’s 92 in the Shade (1973) is one of the most distinctive novels to come out of the Key West literary scene, a feverish blend of sunburnt absurdity, lyrical beauty, and existential wandering. On the surface, it’s the story of Thomas Skelton, a drifting, disenchanted young man who decides to become a flats–fishing guide in the Florida Keys—an ambition that entangles him with a rival guide and draws him into a violent, almost mythic conflict. But plot is rarely the point in McGuane’s early work. What matters is the mood, the manic comedy, and the raw sensory intensity of the world he conjures.

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A good friend of mine, Roger Avery, recommended The Next Valley Over: An Angler’s Progress to me, and I’m grateful he did. As a longtime connoisseur of fishing literature—having spent countless hours absorbed in the works of Zane Grey, Thomas McGuane, Monte Burke, F.A. Mitchell-Hedges, Ernest Hemingway, and others—I can confidently say that Charles Gaines’s book earns a secure place in that canon.

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I was introduced to Bill Butterworth IV through a mutual friend, James C. Linder. Jim often spoke about Bill and his father, Bill Butterworth III, and shared how much he enjoyed their books. I first met Bill IV at Jim’s 60th birthday celebration, and after our conversation, I decided it was time to pick up one of the books for myself. Bill IV has co-authored works, served as an editor for his father (who passed away in 2019), and also edited Boy’s Life magazine. Now that we’ve been formally introduced, I look forward to spending more time with him, as we share many common interests.

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Jim Harrison’s Legends of the Fall is a striking collection of three novellas—Revenge, The Man Who Gave Up His Name, and the title piece Legends of the Fall—each exploring the intense emotional and moral terrain of love, loss, and identity. With a blend of raw masculinity, lyrical prose, and existential weight, Harrison captures the wildness of both the natural world and the human spirit.

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The Dangerous Summer is Ernest Hemingway’s final nonfiction work, published posthumously in 1985. It chronicles the intense rivalry between two legendary Spanish bullfighters, Antonio Ordóñez and Luis Miguel Dominguín, during the bullfighting season of 1959. Originally commissioned by Life magazine, the narrative offers a mix of travel writing, personal commentary, and Hemingway’s signature economical prose.

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eo Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina is widely regarded as one of the crowning achievements of world literature, a work that masterfully combines intimate psychological portraiture with sweeping social commentary. Written in the late 19th century, the novel immerses readers in the complexities of Russian aristocratic life, while at the same time probing timeless questions about love, duty, happiness, and the meaning of life.

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Peter Flack’s Heart of an African Hunter is a beautifully crafted memoir that takes readers on an exhilarating journey through the landscapes of Africa, capturing both the thrill of the hunt and the deep reverence he holds for the continent’s wildlife and traditions. As a seasoned hunter, conservationist, and storyteller, Flack delivers a compelling narrative that blends personal experiences, historical insights, and thought-provoking discussions on the ethics of hunting and conservation.

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"For a Handful of Feathers" by Guy de la Valdene is a beautifully evocative work that delves into the intricate relationship between nature, hunting, and the human spirit. Valdene, a seasoned sportsman and writer, captures the essence of the outdoors with rich, lyrical prose that transports readers to the lush landscapes he describes.

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Peter Hathaway Capstick's "Death in the Dark Continent" is a riveting and immersive exploration of the dangers and thrills of big-game hunting in Africa. Drawing on his own experiences as a professional hunter and conservationist, Capstick takes readers on a wild journey through the untamed landscapes of the African continent, where danger lurks at every turn.

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David McCullough's "Mornings on Horseback" is a masterful biography that offers a captivating glimpse into the formative years of one of America's most iconic figures, Theodore Roosevelt. Through meticulous research and vivid storytelling, McCullough paints a rich and nuanced portrait of the man who would become the 26th President of the United States.

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This was an interesting read.  Hilary Hemingway is the niece of Ernest Hemingway and Jeffry Lindsay is her husband.  Both are accomplished writers themselves.  Hilary is the daughter of Leicester Hemingway who was Ernest’s younger brother.

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Hemingway's "Islands in the Stream" is a masterful exploration of the human spirit, transportive in its vivid descriptions and emotionally resonant storytelling. Set against the backdrop of lush Caribbean islands, this novel weaves a tapestry of interconnected stories that delve into the depths of love, loss, and the pursuit of redemption.

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Candice Millard hit a home run again with River of the Gods.  One of my favorite genres of literature is historical adventure and this book is full of both history and adventure.  I have also read Hero of the Empire and River of Doubt by Millard and they are all excellent reads.

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Men Without Women is a collection of short stories by Ernest Hemingway.  The volume consists of 14 short stories, 10 of them previously published.  It was published in 1927 and includes short stories that deal with subjects such as war, infidelity, divorce, and death.

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Stand Forever, Yielding Never is a modern history of The Citadel written by John Warley.  John is an alumni from the class of ’67 and classmate of Pat Conroy.  He is the author of three novels and he authored the Citadel War Memorial’s welcoming inscription as well as  “The Citadel at War,” a narrative history etched into the memorial’s walls.  He is also a graduate of the University of Virginia School of Law and is a resident of Beaufort, South Carolina.

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“To me heaven would be a bull ring with me holding two barrera seats and a trout stream outside that no one else was allowed to fish in……”

-Letter to F. Scott Fitzgerald

Burguete, Spain, July 1, 1925

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Zane Grey was an American author best know for his westerns and adventure novels that were set in the rugged Old West.  His novels inspired over 100 films, a TV series and theater production.

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The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, a Brazilian, author is an allegory about transformation that happens in one’s life though following one’s dreams and the spiritual journey of finding one’s identity and purpose.  The story follows an Andalusian shepherd boy’s journey from Spain and across the desert of North Africa to the pyramids of Egypt in search of a treasure he dreamed of.

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This is an interesting book about the fight for Indian independence and British colonial rule and I will give an outline of the book; however I would like to say a few words about how I came about being interested in the subject.  I find that my interest in history of all kinds often starts from some other form of literature that is more of a microcosm and then it leads to a desire to learn about the greater context

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This is an interesting book. It is published by an English publisher I found called Merlin Unwin Books, LTD and they have several other sporting books that I am interested in.

In this book Catlow examines the importance of fly fishing for trout and pheasant hunting and the different feelings both bring to him. He writes about the difference in field sports in middle age compared to youth and how the memories and reflections from shooting days differ from fishing days.

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