Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Alaska Russell Annabel, the good and the bad

I've never found any of his books at a reasonable price, although I've wanted to read some for a long time, based on reviews and high praise for his writing. I guess when it rains, it pours, I just found 4 of his books in great condition, and affordable. That's the good. The bad is finding the rest of his that I don't have, at a decent price. Patience Grasshopper, all good things come to those who wait.

Which ones are you questing for........???

A very colorful writer indeed.

I've stayed in the same old hotel in LaPaz, BCS where he often hung out.

Jim Reardon included some of Rusty's war correspondent articles in his book The Forgotten Warriors as Rusty was on site in the Aleutian Campaign of WWII.

He was a good author, I think I have most of his writing. His stories provide a window into an Alaska we probably all wish we could have experienced, but is now gone forever.
However, much of what he wrote is contrived and exaggerated. Take it for what it is and enjoy.

As a kid, I loved RA, in every Sports Afield. But, think he was the one O'Connor said, in The Last Book, did most of his hunting in an Anchorage bar. Even so, he could spin a tale that kept my interest.

His books are all great reading. I think I have owned most of them over the years. Have passed them on to family and friends.

Annabel wrote a few stories about hunting and fishing in the Baja region.

After his death it was rumored that he had a family in Alaska and another in Mexico.

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/return-to-toonaklut-jeff-davis/1115406538

Return to Toonaklut is a fair read on Rusty... good info but not exactly scintillating writing/reading. A must read for his fans.

I have a fair bit of his work in my library. They are books I frequent. I don’t care if he spun the tails in a bar. Still a good read.

I also read my copy of Alaska trophies won and lost about once a year.

Like Capstick, he was a good writer who told great, exciting tales.
A few even partially true !

I have all his books and take them for what they are a great read.

O'Connor?

I lost most of my respect for him despite his extensive hunting and good writing, after reading (self admitted) that he twice deliberately ass-shot animals to slow them down when that was the only shot offered. He did recover both, but still....

By my lights, that's pretty contemptible. Not that I haven't ass-shot one animal myself, but not deliberately.

I'll take RA any day. I have or had several of O'conners books, but none by Annabel, unfortunately. I did look forward to his magazine articles.

I think Safari Press did 5 or 6 of his books. Mb

Read all of Annabel's stuff I can find. Hemmingway had high regard for his writings. I have no idea how much is actually as it happened, but it is very enjoyable reading of times and adventures past.

As a teenager, I was inspired by his magazine articles. After this thread started, I went on Amazon and got the Kindle version of "Tales of a Big Game Guide." I've been reading it the last few nights.

Try "AbeBooks.com" A great source for old books from around the globe.