Rating: 
Summary: A charming story about a fly fisherman and his dog
Review: "Home Waters" is a charming story about a fly fisherman and his dog. It is Monninger's memoir and tribute to his dog, Nellie, an eleven-year-old Golden Retriever, who he has recently learned has cancer. He decides to take a road trip from his home in New Hampshire to visit some of his favorite fishing spots in Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana. Monninger takes the reader along for the ride, describing the details of his fishing trips -- where he sets up, which type of bait he uses, how he adjusts his technique to the circumstances -- and how Nellie accompanies him in all he does -- how she sniffs at each stick and stone as she explores a new area, how she snuggles into his sleeping bag on cold nights, how she taught herself to dive under water after him. As he makes his way through the trip, he reminisces about earlier fishing trips and other experiences he and Nellie have shared. I loved the tone of this book. Monninger has a pleasant, matter-of-fact way of telling a story. I especially liked how he conveyed his simple love and respect for Nellie just in the way he interacted with her and in his reports of their conversations: "I told Nellie we were done for the night. She seemed grateful." Or, "I told her she was a good dog." When Nellie encountered a harvested potato field, she gave her best shot at retrieving the hundreds of potatoes left on the ground, only to be defeated by the magnitude of the task. Monninger says, "I consoled her on the walk back to the truck, telling her we all have such days, then fed and watered her. I told her to lay down on her dog bed and she did." After he returns to his hotel: "When I unhooked Nellie's leash inside the room, she put her nose on the edge of the bed, asking permission to get up. I told her to go ahead, but not to hog the whole thing. She curled at the foot of the bed, tail to nose. I sat besider her and gave her a rub. In a little while she began to snore. I read for awhile, then turned out the light." I especially related to his dilemma when he went fishing at Yellowstone. "The hard part was explaining to Nellie it is against park regulations to take a dog into the back country.... Nellie wasn't pleased with it... and when I locked her in the back of the truck, she whined to come with me. I was firm with her and caved only enough to give her a biscuit." I've never been fly fishing, but I enjoyed Monninger's equally droll explanations of how it works, the strategy (and luck) that goes into it. I think I now understood why "the one that got away" haunts every fisherman.
Rating:
Summary: A charming story about a fly fisherman and his dog
Review: "Home Waters" is a charming story about a fly fisherman and his dog. It is Monninger's memoir and tribute to his dog, Nellie, an eleven-year-old Golden Retriever, who he has recently learned has cancer. He decides to take a road trip from his home in New Hampshire to visit some of his favorite fishing spots in Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana. Monninger takes the reader along for the ride, describing the details of his fishing trips -- where he sets up, which type of bait he uses, how he adjusts his technique to the circumstances -- and how Nellie accompanies him in all he does -- how she sniffs at each stick and stone as she explores a new area, how she snuggles into his sleeping bag on cold nights, how she taught herself to dive under water after him. As he makes his way through the trip, he reminisces about earlier fishing trips and other experiences he and Nellie have shared. I loved the tone of this book. Monninger has a pleasant, matter-of-fact way of telling a story. I especially liked how he conveyed his simple love and respect for Nellie just in the way he interacted with her and in his reports of their conversations: "I told Nellie we were done for the night. She seemed grateful." Or, "I told her she was a good dog." When Nellie encountered a harvested potato field, she gave her best shot at retrieving the hundreds of potatoes left on the ground, only to be defeated by the magnitude of the task. Monninger says, "I consoled her on the walk back to the truck, telling her we all have such days, then fed and watered her. I told her to lay down on her dog bed and she did." After he returns to his hotel: "When I unhooked Nellie's leash inside the room, she put her nose on the edge of the bed, asking permission to get up. I told her to go ahead, but not to hog the whole thing. She curled at the foot of the bed, tail to nose. I sat besider her and gave her a rub. In a little while she began to snore. I read for awhile, then turned out the light." I especially related to his dilemma when he went fishing at Yellowstone. "The hard part was explaining to Nellie it is against park regulations to take a dog into the back country.... Nellie wasn't pleased with it... and when I locked her in the back of the truck, she whined to come with me. I was firm with her and caved only enough to give her a biscuit." I've never been fly fishing, but I enjoyed Monninger's equally droll explanations of how it works, the strategy (and luck) that goes into it. I think I now understood why "the one that got away" haunts every fisherman.
Rating: 
Summary: Out west, on the road with a dog - what more could you want.
Review: For all of those who have driven across country to Wyoming, Idaho, and/or Montana, and have a pooch, this is truley a wonderful book. Puts you there once again. You dont have to be into fishing to appreciate what is written here. This is the kind of read that takes you away from the daily grind and highlights the important things.
Rating:
Summary: A gripping, life-affirming tale.
Review: For those of us who are fans of Joseph Monninger's fiction (he has eight novels out and his short fiction is frequently published in literary and mainstream magazines) this book is something of a departure. A nonfiction memoir that is ostensibly a journal of a cross-country fishing trip with an ailing dog, the book is really about universal themes: life, death, relationships, man's place in nature. As with any of Monninger's prose, the descriptions are beautifully accurate and economical. You really feel like you are there with the author thigh deep in a Montana stream with trout sipping the water all around, or in some run down bar in the sticks surrounded by beer-drinking rednecks. Monninger is skilled at leaving just enough unsaid to keep the story flowing along at a good clip, and there is enough unpredictability to keep the reader's attention throughout. But what is truly wonderful about this book is its low-key optimism. Yes, life is worth living. Yes, it is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all. This is a book to savor. Upon finishing it I wanted to load my fly fishing gear into my old truck, whistle the dog into the back, and start driving. (And I don't even own a truck. Or a dog.) Buy this book, read it, and keep it in a prominent place on your bookshelf. There are passages you'll want to keep coming back to. Don't lend it out--you'll never get it back!
Rating:
Summary: A fantastic story of man and his best friend
Review: Home Waters is truly an amazing book that is an absolute page turner. From the opening pages I found my self completely overwhelmed with the story of a man and, truely, his best friend. Anyone that has a special bond with an animal will find this work magnificent. It is the type of book that when you finish, you can hardly wait to tell all of your loved ones that it is a must read. Thank you for capturing such a wonderful story and sharing it with the world. -Ben Sullivan
Rating:
Summary: Great book - I couldn't put it down!
Review: I originally bought this book for my sister, who has golden retrievers, but thought I could never read it because I don't fish and I'll cry for sure. We'll I was wrong! I said I would only read a few pages but once I started I couldn't stop. The author has such a wonderful relationship with his dog Nellie and his outlook on life is great. I really enjoyed his descriptions about fishing and thought afterwards maybe this might be something to try. I also loved the fact that he let the fish go after he caught them. One of the most touching parts was when he had Nellie get into his sleeping bag with him so she would stay warm. This man truly loves his dog as much as she loves him. Very well written and I didn't cry after all. I just wonder where Nellie is today. Anyone who loves animals in general will love this book and don't worry about the fishing part. It's a great book!!! P.S. My sister loved it too!! And so will you.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful story of man, dog, life...
Review: In this memoir, author Joseph Monninger recounts a very special fly-fishing trip with his best friend, eleven-year-old Golden Retriever, Nellie. Nellie has been diagnosed with cancer and Monninger decides to let the illness run its course- but not without one last grand encounter with nature. The pair traverse the country by pickup truck- camping, fishing and otherwise enjoying nature and the company of each other. This is a great book for those who fish because there are lots of references to the techniques and joys of fly-fishing.But the touching glimpses of the bond between man and dog, and of dealing with the curves life throws at us, add memorable depth and make this wonderful story of interest to everyone, fisher-person or not.
Rating:
Summary: Beautiful story of man, dog, life...
Review: In this memoir, author Joseph Monninger recounts a very special fly-fishing trip with his best friend, eleven-year-old Golden Retriever, Nellie. Nellie has been diagnosed with cancer and Monninger decides to let the illness run its course- but not without one last grand encounter with nature. The pair traverse the country by pickup truck- camping, fishing and otherwise enjoying nature and the company of each other. This is a great book for those who fish because there are lots of references to the techniques and joys of fly-fishing.But the touching glimpses of the bond between man and dog, and of dealing with the curves life throws at us, add memorable depth and make this wonderful story of interest to everyone, fisher-person or not.
Rating:
Summary: An engaging recount of a man's simple but worthy pleasures.
Review: Monninger uses all his senses in his prose. Unassuming details become necessary pieces of a fabulous story about a man's love for his best friend, one that can't verbally reciprocate the bond but shows an appreciation of the author through her patience and obedience. Bravo!
Rating:
Summary: A must read for any pet owner
Review: Not being a fisherman, I wasn't sure if this book was right for me. But, this book isn't really about fishing. It's about a hearfelt relationship between a man and his best friend - a dog. I loved this book and have recommended it to everyone that I know. So far, no one has been disappointed. It's a must read for any pet owner who has a special bond with his/her pet.
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