The Ghosts of Autumn: A Season of Hunting Stories

I love this book! I was randomly surfing the net and looking for a good hunting/fall themed book to read & take on a hunting trip to GA last week. My mouth dropped open when I read some of his first few stories and remembrances. It's like he climbed inside my brain's memory bank and pulled out my same stories and feelings, too. We are so similar in our experiences and takeaways from Autumns past. Can 2 strangers really have these same feelings and things that have happened? I guess so. Now, about his writing style. As a fellow writer, he has a smooth, buttery style that is very easy to read, descriptive, yet doesn't drag you down to the details so thick you can't get through them like other writers tend to do -- they overtell it. It's a great book to curl up in front of a fire after a day's hunt or day at work, just to "escape" to where he takes you. It's a great book to read in a deer blind when you can feel the wind and smell the woods. It is a book I'll re-read, most likely every October to ramp me up for deer season in November. Love it. if you like the outdoors, or hunting, or holding memories dear about even the littlest things in your life, you'll enjoy this book immensely. I wish I could meet him and hunt together, and thus share our common tales.

I could have almost written this book myself. It is so true to the thoughts and experiences of most serious hunters. Maybe the best thing about being a hunter is it forces you to slow down and think, not just about the hunt, but hunting and life in general. Often the author's thoughts are much like or exactly my thoughts. This is a very good book for hunters, or retired hunters like myself, to enjoy or relive feelings or thoughts most thoughtful hunters have. It is also a wonderful book to introduce or describe to non-hunters or would be hunters just what hunting is REALLY about. Some hunters of course give the impression that it is all about killing the prey animals. The author gives these people a clear picture of what those particular hunters are missing. Like the author, I started with squirrels and rabbits and soon graduated to deer hunting. Some types of deer hunting do nor provide much time for thought and simply enjoying the wonderful woods and mountains. But I, like the author avoided large parties and except for one or two close friends or relatives, hunted mostly alone with just my thoughts. I'm glad though that I, like Joel, fell unto hunting upland birds with many great dogs over time. This type of humting opened a whole new world of training and working as a team with man's best friend, a canine companion. There is no greater bond or love and devotion than a man and his canine hunting partner. Such hunting gives much faster action and exercise, whereas deer hunting can be much slower and analytical. I didn"t mean to imply that I really could have written such a insightful book as Joel has here, but I sometimes thought about trying. Now I don't have to. Great job. I only wish I had been able to spend as much time hunting different seasons as Joel was or is able. Most wives would not be as understanding and patient I'm afraid.For that reason I envy him.

I was so happy that Mr. Spring gave us a book of his fine outdoor stories. Nothing wrong with how to books but in the end those memories you made, that is really what it is all about. Mr. Spring gets that important point and fully realizes that you can still have a great day even when you don't win against the wildlife you pursue. A bunch of the points that he put in this book had me shaking my head yes as I fully agreed with him and could easily relate to those points!!!! For sure a book to add to your collection!!! Thank You so much!!!! Mr. Spring

My husband bought this book and recommended that I read it also. I am a reader and I'm always looking for a new book to get into, but my first thought was, "Really? I don't want to read about hunting!" It seemed to mean a lot to him that I read it. Well, to my surprise, this was not just a "hunting" book. Mr. Spring explains the thoughts and emotions that go along with his experiences in nature- to the point that I felt like I was right there with him. I would recommend this book, not only to hunters, but maybe also to their loved ones who are left at home during hunting season. It was an eye-opening view into a world I knew nothing about. I'm so glad I read it and I think I will look into buying Mr. Spring's other books for my husband.

I only bird hunt, but I found the prose on deer hunting quite entertaining. I was about to give up reading about other people's hunting experiences because they were heavy on adjectives trying to capture a mood that seems difficult to achieve for someone who spends time afield. Mr. Spring, however, was able to master it in this writing.

I have enjoyed the book so far. I did have some cold winds blur my vision around chapter 3. It is a good read that takes you through highs and lows

I was going to give it a four. Then by chance one of my own ghosts (those of us who have walked the forests and fields have a few) appearedso five it was. I will order his other books and look to the next one if our trips around the sun permits.

Gift for my husband. He said it was a good hunting book. He has read so many hunting books I was worried, but he said it was a good choice.