Reviews
Over the past several years, our books have received positive feedback and accolades from a number of influencers in the literary world. Here are a few:
U.S. Review of Books
Some Adventures Outdoors (And In The Kitchen!)
"The reel sang as the fish took off downstream..."
This memoir describes the author's rich life with family and friends in the outdoors. Yockey shares his memories and recipes from playing, hunting, fishing, foraging, and cooking. Not only is the food fresh and tender, but so are the heartwarming connections made by adventuring together. The autobiography continues past Yockey's childhood in Washington and on to his adulthood in Georgia. Maybe the most important part is the point of passing on the love of the outdoors to the next generation.
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For anyone who spends any time outside, the book is relatable. This isn't just for hunters. Yockey and his friend picked blackberries in the Pacific Northwest, and he reflects on bringing their bounty home. "Finally back on the sand, we trotted toward the cottage, thinking about what would surely be one of the best dinners we'd ever had. Now... I'm full of happy memories of wonderful Whidbey."
Yockey's writing is both poetic and conversational. He writes, "We pitched our tent on the side of a babbling brook and watched a meteor shower as we fell asleep." Readers find themselves out on that starry night with him. The recipes alone make this book worth having. Some call for wild game, big and small, and all are the author's original creations. Some are very elegant, if sometimes rather earthy. For example, Yockey includes recipes for roasted root vegetable salad with toasted walnuts or yam, asparagus, and pecan salad with maple syrup and brandy dressing.
Reading his book is like watching a travel/culinary documentary series but for outdoor recreation foodies. The added benefit is the reminder to readers that life can still be simple and joyful when one seeks it.
Experiencing the Outdoors and the Kitchen in Some Southern Adventures Outdoors (and In the Kitchen!)
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Filled with 15 gripping tales of fishing and hunting expeditions, this book takes readers on a journey through the diversity of the great outdoors, and culinary delights with "Some Southern Adventures Outdoors (and In the Kitchen!)." A must-read for nature enthusiasts, imaginative cooks and those who saver the taste of outdoor triumphs. Within its 136 pages, this book unveils 15 enthralling tales teeming with fishing and hunting adventures, showcasing the breathtaking landscapes, abundant treasures, and remarkable diversity of the wild. To enhance the experience, each story is complimented by a delightful array of menus and recipes that will enable readers to craft mouth-watering feasts for their family and guests. "Some Southern Adventures Outdoors (and In the Kitchen!)" emphasizes complimentary dishes that make up complete-meal menus. Stan's intention is to help readers and their loved ones find wild fare more enticing and approachable. The recipes and menus provided are straightforward and suitable for even the most amateur cooks, with the added benefit of appealing to those who may not be accustomed to eating wild game.
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This book also addresses the common perception of gamey or fishy flavors associated with wildd fare. Stan carefully offers menu and ingredient combinations that effectively balance and enhance the natural flavors of the game. In those instances in which the wild fish or game might not be available or desired, Stan provides suggestions for using 'domestic' or commercially-available equivalents as a substitute, without completely sacrificing the intended essence of the dish.
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"Some Southern Adventures Outdoors (and In the Kitchen!)" is a celebration of every aspect of the outdoors, from the thrill of the adventure or the harvest to the satisfaction of preparing and enjoying a perfectly crafted meal. It is a testament to Stan's passion for the outdoors and his desire to share his expertise and love for cooking with others.
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Stan Yockey is a seasoned and outdoorsman with over 50 years of experience fishing and hunting. His goal is to present a new angle on wild-game cookbooks with a fresh approach. Stan skillfully weaves his personal experiences in the great outdoors with delicious meals using his harvests. Following each adventure, he provides readers with a comprehensive meal plan and corresponding recipes. Driven by his passion for cooking, Stan has skillfully merged his love for nature and the culinary arts in this memoir, "Some Southern Adventures Outdoors (and In the Kitchen!)."
Pacific Book Review
Some Southern Adventures Outdoors (and in the Kitchen!): A Collection of Southern Adventures and Recipes
​The author invites readers into a world where the thrill of the hunt and the serenity of the water flow naturally into the warmth of the kitchen. What sets this work apart is Yockey’s seamless ability to blend narrative storytelling with culinary creativity, offering not just recipes but entire menus that bring the outdoor adventure full circle to the dinner table.
From the opening dedication to his late wife Susan and his fishing and hunting companion David, Yockey grounds the book in memory, love, and companionship, making it more than just a sportsman’s cookbook. Stories such as 'There Ain’t No Turtles in Turtle Bay' and 'Little Boys and Big Bream' illustrate his gift for transforming an afternoon of casting lines or tracking game into experiences rich with humor, camaraderie, and the unexpected.
These narratives are vivid enough that readers feel they are right there in the boat or blind, waiting with anticipation for nature’s surprise. Yet the book shines just as brightly in the kitchen. Each adventure concludes with thoughtfully curated menus, complete meals rather than disjointed dishes, that guide readers from appetizer to entrée to side dish. Dishes like Speckled Sea Trout Ceviche with Chilled Sweet Potato and Asparagus Salad or Venison Backstrap Medallions in a Cabernet Mushroom Reduction with Garlic Roasted Carrots and Okra demonstrate Yockey’s flair for balancing rustic game with refined presentations. His recipe for Macadamia Nut Encrusted Striped Bass or the flavorful Braised Wild Boar Shanks and Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Sweet Onions not only highlight his creativity but also his desire to honor the harvest by turning it into memorable meals.
What makes the collection particularly appealing is Yockey’s practicality. He includes field and kitchen essentials, advice on handling harvests from fish to crustaceans, and reassures readers that substitutions such as chicken for rabbit or store-bought seafood for the fresh catch are acceptable when wild game is not available. His writing is accessible, encouraging even for those who may be tentative about preparing wild game, while still appealing to seasoned hunters, anglers, and cooks.
Overall, Some Southern Adventures Outdoors (and in the Kitchen!) succeeds as a heartfelt blend of memoir, guidebook, and cookbook. It is a celebration of heritage, friendship, and flavor, a volume that will make readers eager not only to head outdoors but also to return home and savor the rewards of the day. This book is highly recommended for outdoorsmen, food lovers, and anyone who believes the best stories often end at the table.