Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/528216
S P O R T I N G C L A S S I C S 1 8 8 maybe the best indication of my overall reaction comes from recognizing that reading Bodio's book—devouring it might actually be a more apt description—cost me dearly. There were 15 or so books missing from my own holdings that I just had to have, and I herewith give fair warning to readers of this column. If you are passionate about sporting literature and acquire his book—something I highly recommend—be prepared to bid farewell to some funds. The 100 entries are covered in three sections: Wingshooting; Fishing; and General Hunting, Guns, Travel, Mixed, and Miscellaneous. In truth, Bodio lists far more than 100 books, because many other authors and their books receive passing mention in Also Read entries. No doubt, readers will find at least a dozen or more authors and titles they have never read. In fact, here's a sort of teaser in that regard. How many of these names—Burkhard Bilger, Theresa Maggio, Gavin Maxwell, M. H. Salmon, V. K. Arseniev, Caroline Blackwood, R. Dale Guthrie, Mikhail Prishvin, John Vaillant—do you recognize? A Sportsman's Library is my recommended beginning point on Bodio, and chances are you'll enjoy his trenchant comments, occasional sidetracking to explore erudite rabbit trails, and quoted snippets from the works he lists. Once you sample and savor this book, you'll want to add other Bodio titles to your shelves. From the standpoint of literary impact, his magnum opus is unquestionably Querencia (1990). It is anything but a book on the outdoors in the traditional sense; rather, it's a haunting song of love, a celebration of some of life's simple but wonderfully satisfying things, and most of all, wordsmithing at its finest. I won't say much more. Just lay hands on a copy and prepare to have your soul stirred.