One certainly must wonder how an English gentleman, coming to the United States when twenty-four years of age, could possibly amass and organize such voluminous information, especially when considering his countless other literary achievements. Although Herbert was an avid sportsman, he freely admits that he made much use of such renowned naturalists as Audubon, Giraud, Wilson, DeKay, Godman, and Bell, especially for descriptive species passages. A Mr. T. M. Adams of Independence, Missouri, is credited for much of the information on western species of big game. Much of the book, however, is based on Forester's own extensive hunting travels in the eastern United States and Canada. His much admired and engaging writing style led to some calling him "the Shakespeare of sporting literature."--Henry M. Reeves.