A Walk in the Turkey Woods

Book Review

A Walk in the Turkey Woods: Wandering Thoughts and Revelations by Mike Joyner is a charming and delightful read that blends whimsical prose and verse with evocative photographs. Divided into small, titled sections, Joyner's writing provides a vivid sense of the turkey woods as a place of communion with oneself and a higher power rather than simply a hunting ground.

Through richly detailed descriptions of the scenery, rituals, and emotions of turkey hunting gatherings, Joyner creates a strong bond with the reader, conveying the depth of his personal connection to the woods and the gratitude he feels for the good health that allows him to enjoy them. Joyner's intimate reflections on life, death, and the passage of time add a profound depth to the narrative, illuminating the precious moments and lessons learned throughout his experiences. Despite being dedicated to Joyner's mother, who has passed away, the book is not solely about the death of a loved one. Rather, death serves as a thematic anchor, reminding Joyner to be grateful for the moments he has lived and inspiring him to maintain a journal of his thoughts and reflections to ensure that none are left unsaid.

A Walk in the Turkey Woods is a charming and intimate work of life-writing. Joyner's verse is unpretentious yet touching, and the photographs, while ordinary, invest the narrative with a poignant sense of continuity and tradition. This book is a compelling entryway into Joyner's thoughts and reflections on life and a reminder of the power of nature to inspire gratitude and reflection.

Great Book!

A Hunter's Meditations

Book Review

Nowadays, with our hectic day-to-day lives, it is very easy to lose touch with nature and forget about the natural order of things. A Walk In The Turkey Woods is a celebration of nature in all its glory as seen through the eyes of a turkey hunter. With close to four decades of experience as a turkey hunter, Mike Joyner brings you some deep personal reflections and musings he has picked up over the years while traversing the great forests of his home state of New York. His days in the turkey woods taught him some poignant life lessons, providing quality time to ponder the what, why, and how of life. This wonderful collection contains short stories, poems, a turkey hunter's prayer, and much more.

Time spent out in the wild can bring some much-needed balance to our insanely busy lives, and A Walk In The Turkey Woods is the perfect offering to demonstrate that fact. Through personal anecdotes and some beautifully penned poems, Mike Joyner brings his love of hunting and the woods to the pages, giving you a glimpse into the world of turkey hunting and all it entails. Joyner has a way with words, using a personable approach to his writing that makes even a non-hunter like me want to join a turkey hunting season. As a fellow nature lover, I thoroughly enjoyed it and found some of Joyner's insights to be truly valuable and inspirational. This is a must-read, especially for city dwellers.

An interesting read!

Wonderful writer

Well-written and photographed reflections

I recently finished reading “A Walk in the Turkey Woods” and I have to say, I was thoroughly impressed with this collection of musings and reflections. The author takes us on a journey through the great forests of North America and shares with us personal stories, poems, and moments of profound introspection. The book is well-written and thought-provoking, leaving the reader feeling inspired and optimistic.

One of the things I found most unique about this book was the intimate and candid sharing of the author's personal revelations while hunting. It's not just about the act of downing quarry, but about the connection to nature and the many life lessons learned while wandering through the woods. This is a refreshing change from typical hunting stories and instructional guides.

One of my favorite excerpts from the book is when the author talks about the days of silent interludes, brief remissions between the opening show and the main act that one connects with their maker, mother nature, and the quarry which, although is the stated goal, is a purposeful deception. It's in this deception that we find ourselves and make great discoveries of the most useful life-changing observations. The author's words are deep and thought-provoking, and I found myself thinking about them long after I finished reading.

I appreciate that the author is honest about his experiences and doesn't try to present himself as an elitist. He shares his thoughts and observations from many years spent hunting, and the book is filled with nostalgic and pensive reflections on the past, present, and future.

Hunting is a tradition

Walks in the woods can be a time for deep thoughts and worldly revelations

One for the nature lovers!

An unexpected page turner. - just lovely.

Highly Recommend

Well-written and photographed reflections

An Enchanting Stroll Through the Turkey Woods

As a nature lover and an avid reader, "A Walk in the Turkey Woods" by Mike Joyner truly captured my heart. The author's passion for the outdoors and his knowledge of the forest creatures shone through his beautifully descriptive writing.

What I loved most about this book was the author's appreciation for the simple things in life. He reminds us to take pleasure in the awakening of the forests, the warming winds of spring, and the familiar creatures of the forest. His words are a powerful reminder to slow down and appreciate the beauty of nature that surrounds us.

As I read through the pages, I was struck by the author's wisdom and acceptance of aging. Instead of fretting about getting older, he embraces it and seeks affirmation of his desires. It's a refreshing perspective that I found myself pondering long after I finished the book.

"A Walk in the Turkey Woods" is a beautifully written and insightful book that will leave you feeling inspired and connected to nature. Whether you're an experienced turkey hunter or simply a lover of the outdoors, this book is a good-read.

Reflections of a hunter, son, and nature lover