[Dean Romig]

Today I received Bill Tapply's latest and sadly, last book, "Upland Autumn, Birds, Dogs and Shotgun Shells". I've read the Acknowledgments, Prologue and a couple of stories and it is quite obvious he knew his time was about done here. In the Dedication he specifically names (first and last names) his hunting and fishing pals where in previous books and stories he refers to them only by their first names. I think it is obvious why he did this in the new book - he felt he owed them at least that much - but I think they would agree that they (and we) owe Bill a debt of gratitude to the man who, through his easy writing style, has brought all of us along with him on his very enjoyable hunts and adventures as well.

It is uncanny that in a few of the stories in this new book it is as if he is writing of my own boyhood. We seem to have had parallel outdoor experiences, the only difference being that he was mentored by famous men of the shotgun and of the pen. He tells of riding his bicycle with his .410 double across the handlebars as he goes off to hunt squirrels or pheasants and neighbors calling out "Good luck Bill!" By comparison the shortest route home for me from my hunting fields was along the railroad tracks but when I shot a pheasant or a rabbit I would be sure to walk home along the streets of my neighborhood to show off my bag. Neighbors would wave and smile and compliment me on my success. So many of his early experiences are nearly duplicates of my own it just amazes me and I'm so glad I ordered this book. I can't wait to spend the time to really get into it. I'm sure a lot of us have had very similar boyhoods in the outdoors and I think most of you would really enjoy Bill's stories. No offense to Tony Brown, one of Bill's named friends and the photographer for Bill's picture of the back flap, but I wish we might have been treated to a picture of a younger, healthier Bill - unfortunately he was very ill by the time this picture was taken.

I bought the book on amazon.com for $19.95 plus shipping - total about $23 and change. I think it is a great addition to anyone's upland library.