Tales from Misery Ridge: One Man's Adventures in the Great Outdoors (Paperback)
Description
Paul Fournier lived and breathed Maine's Great North Woods for decades, from his summers working at a boys' camp as a teenager, to his adventures as a registered Maine Guide, bush pilot, and sporting camp owner, to his career with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. Now, with a fine eye for detail and appreciation of the North Woods' enduring wonders, Fournier recreates his experiences in Tales from Misery Ridge. Soar with him on his first solo flight in a Piper Cub, watch with awe as a master canoe builder makes Fournier's dream canoe a reality, meet brave flying wardens on rescue calls, net some spectacularly large salmon, and take part in the historic mission to transplant caribou from Newfoundland to Maine. Tales from Misery Ridge is a collection of these and other stories from a special time-and place.
About the Author
Paul J. Fournier is a native Mainer with a long career in the Maine woods, starting out as a registered Maine Guide and bush pilot. For twenty years he was the public information officer for the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. He also produced a weekly television program, Maine Fish and Wildlife, for the Maine Public Broadcasting Network. He has written and photographed extensively for a number of magazines, including Audubon, Natural History, National Geographic, Country Gentleman, Yankee, Down East, Field & Stream, and Outdoor Life, among others. He divides his time between Maine and Florida.
Praise For…
"Fournier's "Tales" is simply an outdoor gem, a must-read book for anyone who loves spending time afield in Maine, and who likes hearing stories about the way things used to be (and, perhaps, learning more about how they got to be the way they are) ... In simple, efficient prose, Fournier shares 13 tales about a variety of topics. Whether living without electricity on Brassua Lake or flying small planes into remote trout ponds, Fournier s book clicks. When he recounts interesting stories about rampaging black bears or many moose antics, the reader is drawn along for the ride."
John Holyoke, Bangor Daily News
"I doubt that you will set this book aside after you begin reading.Fournier's life experiences are many and varied ... From rampaging bears to giant brook trout, bush flying to treks down the Allagash, this book moves along faster than our spring-flooded rivers. It's a great ride."
George Smith, writer, TV show hostHis stories evoke stunning images of Maine's outdoors and the fun, adventure, humor and danger of enjoying time in them. One of Fournier's greatest strengths, something that seems to carry over from his work as a guide, is his willingness to teach and share his understanding and love for the Maine wilderness. Anyone with a fondness for this state would do well to read this book. If nothing else, it will make you yearn for the great outdoors and find a way to enjoy it and preserve it.
Katy England, The Maine Edge
The (caribou) transplant odyssey is one of about a dozen true tales told by the lifelong outdoors enthusiast whose name was familiar to Mainers for two decades as the state Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Department spokesman. In that role, he related stories through the media of searches for lost hunters and hikers, bears terrorizing towns, eagles being restored and poachers being busted. Fournier, now 82, has more to tell, from his years as a bush pilot in the 50s and sporting camp owner and guide, photographer, TV producer and freelance writer.
Glenn Adams, The Associated Press
A collection of the type of love stories Mainers can identify with those between one man and the great outdoors.
Down East Magazine
Fournier accumulated a stack of good stories that are all in this book. It s a wonderfully rich book, honestly and beautifully written. ...Tales from Misery Ridge has what I consider two vital components of a worthwhile Maine outdoor book: a spellbinding story to tell and a skilled writer to tell it.
--The (Lewiston, ME) Sun Journal
