How I Got This Way

Plot

Any alert reader will remember the stir Patrick McManus created with his close examination of metaphysics a few years back. Always the deep thinker, Pat concerns himself this time with situational ethics. Here's an example: While mountain climbing, your partner falls and is left hanging by a rope - the one you control. You can either save him or save yourself. Now here's the tricky part: How do you distract your partner as you prepare to cut the rope?On the way through the woods, Pat pauses to explain several everyday facts of life. One is called the theory of convergence, and it explains, with a minimum of mathematics, why when a hunter goes one way, the elk always goes the other. Another fact of life deals with "disinformation" and the use of lies (the bigger the better) when it comes to explaining one's prowess as a hunter. When asked, "What's the longest shot you've ever made?" a good answer would be. "I'd guess about six hundred yards." (No need to add that you missed.) Likewise, to the question of how many elk one has taken in a lifetime of hunting? An ambiguous answer is always best, such as, "Fewer than a dozen" (like a dozen fewer).Pat offers solid thoughts on the qualities that define leadership, beginning with the need to be tall. (A good head of hair won't hurt either.)We could go on, but it's enough to tell you that one of the treats of this hilarious collection is a two-part autobiographical piece that reveals Pat's tortuous trip along the writer's path.