Summary

In the Foreword, Gary Paulsen explains he has written four books (Hatchet; The River; Brian’s Winter; and Brian’s Return) about a character named Brian Robeson. He explains he wrote the book Father Water, Mother Woods: Essays on Fishing and Hunting in the North Woods to address reader mail about the parts of his life that inspired the character of Brian. Paulsen continues to explain that even more mail about specific incidents in those essays poured in, and so he wrote Guts to address those who wish to know more about Brian and his life.

In Chapter 1: "Heart Attacks, Plane Crashes, and Flying," Paulsen references his book Hatchet in which main character Brian Robeson must bring a plane in for a crash landing in a lake, as the pilot has suffered a heart attack. Paulsen then...