The Canoe: A Living Tradition [Hardcover]

John Jennings (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 3, 2005

The canoe was essential to the early exploration of North America. Today, it is a vital link to the natural environment and vast wilderness, still widely used for recreation, transportation and sport.

The Canoe is the definitive history of the construction and use of the canoe, kayak, dugout and umiak in North America. The book covers the canoe's origins among Native peoples, its quick adoption by European settlers, its development from a working vessel to a recreational craft.

Rare archival images, maps, artwork and stunning photographs of vintage canoes are included. Produced with the support and collaboration of scholars and museums throughout the world, The Canoe also features:

• High-tech sport canoes and kayaks used in contemporary Olympic Games
• 400 beautiful images of canoe craftsmanship
• Step-by-step photos and explanations for building a traditional bark canoe
• Profile of the famous model-builder, Tappan Adney
• Detailed maps, glossary, source list and index.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Canoes are an ancient form of transportation that many have relied on for survival through the centuries. Some are only a few feet long and mere inches in width, and others are behemoths capable of carrying nearly two tons of cargo or 45 people. This tribute is a wonderfully rich volume on their history in North America. Working in association with the staff of the 600-vessel collection of the Candian Canoe Museum of Petersborough, Ontario, 12 experts in the field write text that is primarily concerned with Canada but also details the historical canoes of Alaska, Washington, and the other northern states of the United States. Chapters on kayaks, umiaks (walrus or sealskin outercovering), birchbark, dugout, and construction are adeptly written and wonderfully illustrated with over 400 photographs and maps; 19th-century Native Americans appear plying the waters or building their elegant crafts. This book has a hefty price tag but is highly recommended for northern regional collections and wherever canoeing is popular. Jim Thorsen, Weaverville, NC
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

This collection of essays combines history, archaeology, and even a little sociology to create a thoroughly entertaining, beautifully illustrated coffee-table book. The history of the canoe is the history of modern North America in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries; the canoe was at once an essential part of business (specifically the fur trade), a pleasure craft for wealthier folk with plenty of leisure time, and a key piece of equipment in the popular sport of racing. This multipurpose craft, seemingly so simple in design, has an old and fascinating history; it was the standard method of transportation for Native people for hundreds of years before Europeans "discovered" North America. Jennings and his coauthors, in conjunction with museums around the world (these museums contributed most of the book's 400-odd photos and drawings), trace the modern evolution of the canoe, from tool to toy, and show how changes in the vessel's function reflected changes in society--for example, the canoe's value as a freight-transporting vessel decreased as larger vessels became more commonplace. An utterly enchanting trip back in time. David Pitt
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Firefly Books (October 3, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1552095096
• ISBN-13: 978-1552095096
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 11 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,175,434 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars The Canoe: A Living Tradition, August 17, 2010

By 

Robert Hofstadt - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Canoe: A Living Tradition (Hardcover)

The Book Came Fast And In Good Condition And I Am Happy With This Buy

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Canoe History, September 6, 2009

By 

Debrah Hurt "small house realtor" (Albuquerque, NM USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Canoe: A Living Tradition (Paperback)

A fascinating look at the history and tradition of the canoe and its importance in transportation and exploration. Well written and informative, it is easy to read and a treasury of great photos. Any avid canoe or kayak fan will love spending time with this book.