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mathman329's review against another edition
4.0
2023 Book Review - Book No. 6: “Where the Deer and the Antelope Play: The Pastoral Observations of One Ignorant American Who Loves to Walk Outside”, written and narrated by Nick Offerman
Date started: 2/8/23
Date finished: 2/21/23
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (would recommend reading if you like Parks and Rec, the outdoors, and accountability)
Spoiler free review: Let’s get this out of the way right at the start - Nick Offerman, the person, and Ron Swanson, the character, are not one in the same. If you’re going into this expecting to get an extended monologue from an episode of “Parks and Recreation”, you will probably be a bit disappointed. Well, maybe not. It’s just that Mr. Offerman, while sharing some of Ron’s loves and hobbies (wood working, indulging in delicious breakfast meats, being outside on his own), more closely aligns politically with Leslie Knope, main character of the same show. Which is to say, Offerman is far more liberal than Ron Swanson. This alone didn’t bother me, but I’m sure some readers will stop right here.
One of the bigger issues with this book is the way Offerman presents himself. For 2/3 of the book, Offerman shares his experiences with readers as though he is an “Everyman”, someone who loves being outdoors and advocates strongly for the preservation of our national parks. Unfortunately, at times Offerman comes across as tone deaf, seemingly ignorant to the fact that many of his experiences are possible given his very successful career. While his intentions are good, it tends to fall flat when you reference hiring a private guide for a week in Glacier National Park or buying a brand new Ford Expedition and Airstream trailer to travel cross country in the midst of the pandemic in mid to late 2020.
And although Offerman does admit this fact more than a few times in the course of the book, the nuance he keeps harping on might better be utilized at times. As I mentioned before, his liberal outlook and frequent criticisms of the right may be valid, but he often lacks the nuance he preaches when he lumps all conservatives or all Christians together rather than giving some the benefit of the doubt. These critiques also tend to derail the conversation about the food industry or the national parks and their grandeur and instead sully it with discussion of things and people who really don’t deserve mention compared to the beauty of our natural parks. I know this sounds like a fairly harsh review of a 4 star read. However, with a little more restraint, I would’ve easily called this my first 5 star read of the year.
EDIT: It was pointed out that I didn’t mention what I enjoyed about this book. This list is far more extensive than my complaints, and includes but is not limited to: Offerman’s extensive vocabulary and writing style, his narration (superb), his examination of our farm and food industry, comparing this to the way the fictional food industry was presented in one of my favorite horror books I read last year (Tender is the Flesh), Offerman’s attention and devotion to the history of our national parks, Offerman’s unflinching acknowledgment of the way past Americans treated indigenous peoples and why it’s important that we recognize and rectify this, many of the quotes and histories of American naturalists and scientists, and a laugh out loud inducing section where Offerman recounts his first experience seeing the Chickadee-like birds in the UK known as Tits. For all of these reasons and more, 4 stars.
Date started: 2/8/23
Date finished: 2/21/23
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (would recommend reading if you like Parks and Rec, the outdoors, and accountability)
Spoiler free review: Let’s get this out of the way right at the start - Nick Offerman, the person, and Ron Swanson, the character, are not one in the same. If you’re going into this expecting to get an extended monologue from an episode of “Parks and Recreation”, you will probably be a bit disappointed. Well, maybe not. It’s just that Mr. Offerman, while sharing some of Ron’s loves and hobbies (wood working, indulging in delicious breakfast meats, being outside on his own), more closely aligns politically with Leslie Knope, main character of the same show. Which is to say, Offerman is far more liberal than Ron Swanson. This alone didn’t bother me, but I’m sure some readers will stop right here.
One of the bigger issues with this book is the way Offerman presents himself. For 2/3 of the book, Offerman shares his experiences with readers as though he is an “Everyman”, someone who loves being outdoors and advocates strongly for the preservation of our national parks. Unfortunately, at times Offerman comes across as tone deaf, seemingly ignorant to the fact that many of his experiences are possible given his very successful career. While his intentions are good, it tends to fall flat when you reference hiring a private guide for a week in Glacier National Park or buying a brand new Ford Expedition and Airstream trailer to travel cross country in the midst of the pandemic in mid to late 2020.
And although Offerman does admit this fact more than a few times in the course of the book, the nuance he keeps harping on might better be utilized at times. As I mentioned before, his liberal outlook and frequent criticisms of the right may be valid, but he often lacks the nuance he preaches when he lumps all conservatives or all Christians together rather than giving some the benefit of the doubt. These critiques also tend to derail the conversation about the food industry or the national parks and their grandeur and instead sully it with discussion of things and people who really don’t deserve mention compared to the beauty of our natural parks. I know this sounds like a fairly harsh review of a 4 star read. However, with a little more restraint, I would’ve easily called this my first 5 star read of the year.
EDIT: It was pointed out that I didn’t mention what I enjoyed about this book. This list is far more extensive than my complaints, and includes but is not limited to: Offerman’s extensive vocabulary and writing style, his narration (superb), his examination of our farm and food industry, comparing this to the way the fictional food industry was presented in one of my favorite horror books I read last year (Tender is the Flesh), Offerman’s attention and devotion to the history of our national parks, Offerman’s unflinching acknowledgment of the way past Americans treated indigenous peoples and why it’s important that we recognize and rectify this, many of the quotes and histories of American naturalists and scientists, and a laugh out loud inducing section where Offerman recounts his first experience seeing the Chickadee-like birds in the UK known as Tits. For all of these reasons and more, 4 stars.
yellowchevron's review against another edition
informative
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.75
aelunny's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
3.25
I liked it, but it felt like it was a better book to write than to read if that makes sense. It was nice to spend some time in Offerman's head, but I think three essays that were more succinct could have achieved the same end.
kyndrawr's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
5.0
lvr_17's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
informative
reflective
medium-paced
2.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing
pageturningpaige's review against another edition
3.0
I love the ecological side of this book and the point of we need to appreciate the farmers and people who grow all our food and not give in to capitalism. I didn’t like all the Christian/republican/political talk even tho I agree with some of those views I just didn’t wanna read about that since I’m not into it.
amiry's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
ahc001's review against another edition
funny
informative
reflective
medium-paced
3.0
First half of the book: five stars.
The ending, particularly the epilogue: meh.
The ending, particularly the epilogue: meh.