Honest Book Review #1: “Danger: Explosive True Adventures”

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This is the first Honest Book Review on theblogmom.com, on Danger: Explosive True Adventures of the Great Outdoors, by Ben East. . Part of my goals for 2023 is to read more. This is one of the ways that is going to help me do it. One of my struggles is finding good books, easy to read, and hold my attention. I’ve struggled through reading books, forcing myself to finish the dull ones just to add another read book to my list for the year.

Hence, the creation of this part of the blog. This is here for other avid readers, people who see a certain book in a store and wonder if it’s all it’s cracked up to be. You’ll receive a basic synopsis of the book, my opinions, and can decide for yourself whether or not you actually want to pick it up. These are, obviously, my brutal honest opinions. They don’t have to be yours. I welcome disagreements and friendly conversations and encourage you to add your thoughts in the comment section.

Basic Breakdown

Quite possibly the most exhilarating read on the market. Who says a girl can’t like guns, bear attacks, snake bites and the like? Perfect for a stay-at-home mom to read on the go, as each chapter (or a collection of two or three chapters) features a new story. You’ll admire some, deem others downright stupid, and have your mouth drop open at each turn of the page when new information is added. Finding each story better than the last, it’s a book you won’t want to put down until the clock strikes 5 and it’s time to make supper.

General Description

Written by Ben East in 1970, 328 pages

               Ben East has his own experiences with the outdoors as a photographer and outdoorsman in the heart of Michigan. He is mostly known for his editorial writing for over 20 years at Outdoor Life. These two passions are easy to see as he retells others’ true stories. You can admire the dedication and hard work he put in his research from personal interviews, newspaper articles, hospital records and more.

What the Author Had to Say

“There is high adventure here and narrow escape, but there is no make-believe”.

My Opinions

I honestly enjoyed reading most of these stories. However, I found myself mostly, as the story began, asking, “why”. I don’t understand a man, or woman’s draw to get that trophy kill. This is not to say I am against hunting whatsoever. I think hunting/fishing/trapping is a perfect way to get quality meat unprocessed, meat that’s not doped up on hormones or fed a pathetic diet like most of modern day grocery store meat is. By the way, if you want to learn more about how to stop purchasing that sort of meat at the grocery store, read my post here.

               Also, I think hunting is something most Americans should be a part of. It improves skills for self defense, teaches you gun safety, and gives you areas to improve yourself. When I first picked up the book, given to me by my red blooded patriotic brother in law, I didn’t have many reservations on it.

               The first story did not disappoint—a story of men ice fishing on Lake Michigan in the dead of winter. They were desperate, it was during the Depression, and they used their catches to put meat on the table and sell the surplus at a market for money. This is a tale of true men, working hard, doing everything they can to take care of their families.

Men have unshakable, burdensome responsibilities even today. This is not to say that women don’t. I think there’s no denying women do everything they can to help provide for families, working in their careers to ensure their children get the best education, and have the best childhood feasible for their family, and try to help ease that burden off of a man. But, there’s no denying that at the end of the day, a man has a heavy responsibility.

Again, this first story was the epitome of what I want my own sons to be one day: men who will stop at nothing to make sure their family is taken care of. Unfortunately, many other stories were not. The man who just had to have that lion kill, or the largest polar bear as a rug seemed pathetic and childish in my eyes. It also gave me many flashbacks to reading Moby Dick excerpts in jr. high. Just like many people lost their lives in that tale, reading of men losing their lives in these tales were unnecessary and sad.

Still, each story was extremely captivating. Ben East is an excellent writer and does well retelling different stories with different people in his own voice. Not every story was about someone after that “prize” like hunting is a sport. Many stories were of people just trying to survive, or enjoying nature and being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

I was also amazed at the number of survivors, people who survived in what seemed like impossible odds against them. It was nothing for me to have my mouth open while reading, or to pull Bert aside before bed saying “Listen to this” and read him a page or two. These stories are truly fantastic, exhilarating, and many I won’t forget for quite some time.

Unfortunately, getting your hand on this book might be a challenge. Amazon doesn’t have many in stock—link is provided here. As an Amazon Affiliate, I can make a small commission on purchases made through links on this page at no additional cost to you. This is how I am able to keep costs low to keep this blog running.

There are other book sites to look, where you may be able to find it used, and checking or requesting it at your local library could help as well.

Recommendation

If you like this book, check out others by the same author, including “Survival “and “Narrow Escapes“.