Look and Listen

Biography

Mister Benton is a retired United States military senior non-commissioned officer (E-8). He is a graduate of a number of U.S. Air Force Survival Schools, including Arctic, Water (Sea and Ocean), Mountain, and Jungle urvival schools. He spent twelve years teaching parachuting techniques and survival skills to Air Force aircrew members as a Life Support Instructor. Mister Benton currently works as a freelance Wilderness Survival and Outdoor writer. W.R. Benton has previously authored eight books, including fiction, non-fiction and Southern Humor. His work has been endorsed by such notable authors as Matt Braun, Stephen Lodge, Don Bendell, and many others. His survival book, “Simple Survival, a Family Outdoors Guide,” is a Silver Award Winner from the Military Writers Society of American. Additionally, this book has been added to the prestigious Estes Park Library in Colorado. His hobbies include hunting, camping, fishing, hiking, cartooning, and reading. Mister Benton has an Associates Degree in Search and Rescue, Survival Operations, a Bachelors Degree in Occupational Safety and Health, and a Masters Degree in Psychology near completion. Sergeant Benton retired from the military in 1997 with over twenty-six years of active duty. Mister Benton is a member of the Western Writers of America, American Authors Association, Military Writers Society of America, Southern Humor Group, and the Mississippi Wildlife Federation. Visit Gary’s online Western Fiction site at http://www.wrbenton.net or his Survival site at http://www.simplesurvival.net .

Inspiration

My grandfather was a teller of tall tales and I am the same way. I can remember sitting on his lap and listening to him tell me stories of the Wild West, so it was only natural I follow in my writing. My great-grandfather was killed by Indians and my great-grandmother had to drive a wagon from Indian Territory to the Missouri Ozark Mountains alone, except for her six children. She was a hardy old woman who knew the James and Youngers when she was young.