Hey Ranger!: True Tales of Humor & Misadventure from America's National Parks

I just finished reading Hey Ranger and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was an easy read and it held my attention - I didn't want to put the book down! Anyone who has visited the National Parks, or just spent time in the outdoors, can probably relate to at least one tale in the book. For me personally, my family has done alot of boating and I was laughing hysterically during the chapter on boating, including mishaps that occur when launching a boat! I think anyone who enjoys the great outdoors and humorous real life tales will enjoy this book.

Like a great song from years ago, Jim Burnett's stories hit you (and your funny bone) with nostalgia that takes you back to another time and place. My father was a Park Ranger for many years and the stories he told around the supper table keep in time with these (though I never remember laughing as hard as I did when I read about beavers gnawing on boat props!). Thanks for spinning some funny yarns about the outdoor-impaired! Now, if we could only get a reality show called..."So, you want to be a Park Ranger..."

We saw this book while on vacation in Shenandoah National Park and decided to take a copy home. It was so much fun that we took turns reading it out loud in the car during the drive back. Our family has been campers and hikers for years, so we didn't have trouble believing some of the dumb things people do in parks, especially when it comes to wild animals. The author includes some really good tips for anybody planning a trip to the outdoors, but most of the learning is well disguised in the humor. This is a fun book for just about anybody.

I bought this book after reading a great review for it in the Houston Chronicle. I spent over 20 years as a ranger and wanted to see this writer's take on our job. It was a nice change from the usual outdoor adventure books because it combined lots of humor with situations that happen to everyday people, and looks at the lighter side of the job. I enjoyed the author's relaxed, homespun style and thought he took an original look at a topic others have covered as well.

I enjoy travel and visiting parks, and even though I don't consider myself to be an `outdoorsman," I really liked this book. The author is a great, conversational story-teller and has a wonderful sense of humor. If you like Garrison Keillor you'll enjoy this style of writing. He has come up with some really funny acronyms to describe why things often turn out differently that we expect, such as the "oops" factor (outcome outside of planned scenario). My son always thought he wanted to be a park ranger and I'm giving him a copy of the book. Like the previous reviewer I was surprised at some of the things I learned about their jobs. This is a fun read and the short chapters made it easy to enjoy even with my busy schedule.