Kipawa River Chronicles [Paperback]

Scott Sorensen (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 096729830X | ISBN-13: 978-0967298306 | Publication Date: May 20, 1999

Kipawa River Chronicles is a narrative of outdoor adventure as experienced by Scott Sorensen and his family who have lived in a cabin at the mouth of the Kipawa River since 1975. Scott published the book in May of 1999 when the Kipawa River was targeted for diversion by the most powerful hydro-electric company in North America. His story captures the unique heritage of one of Canada's most magnificent waterways and the struggle to preserve it for future generations. The account includes Sorensen's role in the search and rescue of the 18 survivors of the St. John's disaster, which stands as the most deadly canoeing accident in the history of the eastern Canadian provinces. Scott chronicles the lives and events of former residents of the Kipawa River including homesteaders, fur traders, loggers, millionaires, movie stars, and the five feature films which were produced at the lodge in the 1920's. The book has captivated readers and outdoor enthusiasts throughout North America. Anyone who enjoys fishing, hunting, rock climbing, skin diving, kayaking, canoeing or tales of wilderness adventure, will find this book both compelling and informative.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Good Morning, A guy I work with named Richard whom you referred to as "The Biker" in one of the earliest chapters of your book loaned me the book to read. I would like to say that it was a real joy. I loved it so much I want to buy 3 copies. One for myself and a copy for each of my sisters who live in the cities. I grew up in Thorne, across from the town of Temiscamingue, but we didn't own a cottage so any forays into the woods were on foot. Sadly I moved to the big cities when I was 16. However in 1993 I sold everything and returned to this neck of the woods and am delighted that I am out of the city. Your book was interesting from the historical perspective but for sheer delight I have to give the nod to one of your girls for the squirrel fishing story. It was hilarious. I put up a bird feeder when I bought my house a couple of years ago and though I love the squirrels they are little thieves. So it was funny to see a squirrel get his without being harmed. Well I just wanted to say a few words about the book and let you know how thoroughly I enjoyed and appreciated it. -- Noel Legault

Scott Sorensen is a gifted story-weaver with a wonderful sense of adventure and reverence for the naturl wonder of the Canadian wilderness on the Quebec/Ontario border that he and his family have called 'home' for over 25 years.

Kipawa River Chronicles evokes both laughter and tears as Scott shares the comic and sometimes tragic tales of family experiences on the shores of Lake Temiskaming. The confluence of the Kipawa River and Lake Temiskaming is steeped in history which Scott has thoroughly researched. The book is filled with personal anecdotes and historic photos of the famous and the 'infamous' who have owned or occupied this property over the years. -- Lorraine and Larry Wiwchar

The Kipawa River, one of the last, best whitewater runs in northeastern Canada, is threatened with diversion. Every summer Scott Sorensen with his wife and five daughters live at the mouth of the Kipawa River where it flows into Lake Temiskaming. As he is engaged in the fight against Hydro Quebec's attempt to divert the river for the sale of hydro-electric power, he tells his adventures of more than twenty years in the north woods of Canada.

From the mishaps of Scott and his bachelor buddy Jim during their first summer at the Kipawa River Lodge ("Go ahead and cook yourself up a bowl of botulism. I'm going fishing."), to an all night drift with 10-year-old Jenny in a boat with a broken motor and no paddle ("Dad, are we having an adventure?"), his stories are funny, moving, haunting, and sometimes tragic. They are peppered with odd, amusing characters like the Whistler, a taciturn wanderer who knocks at their door one night and disappears days later just as mysteriously, to the valorous, quixotic Don Jose Mediavilla, who takes on the daunting Hollywood rapid in his kayak. Young people will be intrigued by the adventures of Scott's two teenage daughters who set out on their own to explore Kipawa Lake in a canoe. -- Cynthia Collier

About the Author

Scott Sorensen was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah close to the Watsch mountains. He became a river guide when he was eighteen and on one of his trips met men who told him of the Kipawa River and the adventures they had experienced where it empties into Lake Temiskaming. At the end of that river season he headed north and east to discover, for himself, if the tales of incredible whitewater and huge fish were true; they were. Eventually Scott bought the Kipawa River Lodge and with his wife and five daughters have been living adventure every summer for 26 years.

Product Details

• Paperback: 285 pages
• Publisher: Scott Sorensen (May 20, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 096729830X
• ISBN-13: 978-0967298306
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,134,438 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Man in Moccasins, March 30, 2000

By 

M. D. Cummings "Marv" (Kanosh, Utah United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Kipawa River Chronicles (Paperback)

I sat and watched and listened and laughed and awed, right along with the forth graders who were spell bound as Scott Sorensen told a story about a boy bagging his first deer--quite incredible. Then Scott showed-off his animal calls. The call I thought I could do was the squirrel call. Scott said all you do is wet the back of your hand then kiss it--and that will call a squirrel. I tried that call, and all that happened was my wife became jealous, until she saw I was alone; then she started giving me strange looks.

Well, the above mentioned is part of a wonderful assembly that Scott Sorensen puts on for schools in the western U.S.. I fell in love with his way of life and the manner in which he portrayed his life. He modestly presented his book "Kipawa River Chronicles" which I eagerly bought. Oh...as a side note: I didn't have any money with me to buy the book, but I mentioned to Scott that I would sure like to have one. He signed a book for me. . . put it in my hands and said, "Just slip me a check in the mail." I was amazed that his judge of character was so good that he would trust a stranger to send him the money.

I don't see a way to talk about the book without talking about the man--they are inseperately joined--which brings us to the Kipawa River. Scott is waging a personal war against the diversion and damming of the Kipawa River. Now, I never knew that Scott Sorensen existed until he came to our school, nor did I know the Kipawa river was being diverted. It seems to me, if a man has such a worthy passion to save something that is so beautiful as the land he loves, well, then there should be more people involved in taking up that cause before it's too late.

The "Kipawa River Chronicles" deserves more than a five star rating, it deserves your support by buying this book, and a hardy round of applause for the man in moccasins.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Kipawa River Chronicles, April 7, 2000

By 

Victoria Stirling (Utah) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Kipawa River Chronicles (Paperback)

Sorensen has carved a life of simplicity on the Kipawa, enjoying nature's beauties -- and perils -- as they are seldom encountered by today's weekend outdoorsman. A kayaking enthusiast and adventure addict, Sorensen can dish up stories like any good mountain man. Just read about the Fig Newtons. Kipawa Chronicles continues the rich narrative tradition of the outdoorsman, weaving Sorensen's personal experiences with modern-day development issues. The book's discussion of the Kipawa River's environmental fate is tempered by the author's reflections on the many peaceful years he has enjoyed an almost isolated existence on its shores. His easy writing style could coax even the city rat readers into his beloved Canadian backwoods. Reading this book reminded me of the many places I consider "my own" and that have changed my life.

I would recommend this book to anyone visiting the Lake Temiskaming area, particularly kayaking and fishing enthusiasts, and anyone who enjoys the outdoors in general. Or anyone looking for a fresh breath of adventure.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Kipawa River Chronicles, January 27, 2001

By 

Jeffrey L. Smith (Baden, PA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Kipawa River Chronicles (Paperback)

For those who love the wilderness this book is a mixture of history, excitement and reality. This grouping of personal and historic stories of life in the wilderness of Canada is a pleasure to read. With it's regular reality checks that show you the modern day struggle that occurs in every wilderness area as man tries to balance his need for more with his love of unspoiled beauty this book shows us what challenges we must overcome to preserve what is left of the wilderness. Read it and rise to that challenge. Over the past thirty years I have spent many weeks in the Kipawa area. It is a joy to see and experience. Scott's stories give you a picture what it is to live in and experience these wild places. Life is to short to see them all but our challenge as Scott demonstrates in this book is to preserve them for our children and the many generations that follow. Read this book and you will be moved by the experience.