From Those Thrilling Days of Yesteryear

Wry, perceptive, and laugh-out-loud honest, From Those Thrilling Days of Yesteryear is a memoir of boyhood misadventures, moral reckonings, and the slow accumulation of wisdom that comes only with time. Through sharply observed vignettes of growing up in mid-century Wisconsin, the author revisits childhood with equal parts humor and humility—recounting scraped knees, ill-fated dares, sibling rivalries, and the moments when innocence gives way to consequence.

These stories are not arranged as a neat timeline, but as memory itself works: in tangents, flashes, and reflections shaped by regret, affection, and hard-earned perspective. What begins as mischievous nostalgia deepens into a thoughtful exploration of character, responsibility, and the quiet lessons that linger long after childhood ends.

With a voice that is candid, self-aware, and richly entertaining, From Those Thrilling Days of Yesteryear invites readers to laugh at the recklessness of youth while recognizing their own formative moments hidden in its pages. It is a meditation on growing up, looking back, and learning—sometimes painfully, often hilariously—that time reveals meaning we could never see in the moment.

Born and raised in Madison, Wisconsin, Richard McCabe retired from a 35-year career with the Wildlife Management Institute (WMI) in Washington, DC. Prior to his move to the East Coast, Dick was on the faculty at the U.W.-Madison. With WMI, he was Director of Publications and served as an officer for 23 years. He coordinated the North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference for 21 years, edited and contributed to 26 books and transactions, authored 3 other books, edited the “Outdoor News Bulletin” for 11 years, and created the Conservation Leaders for Tomorrow program.

Dick currently resides in rural Kansas, where he enjoys hunting, fishing, reading.