Customer Reviews

Kipawa River Chronicles

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

My family has spent the last twenty summers on Lake Kipawa. As a result, I have a deep affection for the area and its people. My father's great-great-uncle founded a settlement on a remote lake connected to the Kipawa system named Hunter's Point (aka Wolf Lake). It was during this hallmark summer that I came across Scott Sorenson's moving work, during a day trip to the small town of Haileybury (located on the Ontario side of Lake Temiscaming).

What a splendid yarn it is. Mr Sorenson's writings remind me of the fireside tales of my youth. His narrative is warm, spirited and inviting. He reminisces without the nostalgia that often clouds this kind of memoir. No doubt, there is a bitterseet tone at times; largely the result of the failure of vision by outsiders to understand the Kipawa. Mostly, this is a passionate ode to a very special river.

This work is a clarion call for a way of thinking and engaging with our rivers. This is most certainly not limited to the Kipawa. Sorenson's "battle" is happening across the world. And it is also occuring in the climbing, surfing, fishing, and mountaineering communities. What is most rewarding in this work is its commitment to a positive environmental ethic. Sorenson is not merely waxing romantic about a place he called home for many years. The fight to preserve our rivers sits as a smaller piece in a greater story and struggle.

Along the way, we meet a cast of unique characters that certainly must be endemic only to the Kipawa region. We learn of personal victories and profound tragedy. The lessons of understanding a river come into play over and over again. Those who paddle should have the respect a river deserves. Those who don't often suffer the grave results. As such, the Kipawa may serve as metaphor for one's approach to life, to others and, even, to oneself.

The near-north region of Ontario and Quebec exhudes a wondrous pull on all those who visit. Still, you don't need to have been anywhere near it to appreciate the kind of passion Sorenson has for the Kipawa and its place in the world.

I found "Kipawa River Chronicles" to be a well-crafted tale of adventure which literally transported me to a magnificent and serene locale far from the noise, congestion, and complexity of city life. Author Scott Sorensen is a natural story teller. He recounts his real-life experiences living at the mouth of the raging Kipawa River and Lake Temiscaming located on the northern borders of Ontario and Quebec, Canada. Scott describes the Kipawa region and people in great detail. The area seems, at times, so quiet and remote that you can almost hear the flies and mosquitoes buzzing in your ear, yet scenes of high drama and tragedy have played out on the lake and river, and Scott has seen his share of both. I enjoyed reading about the many characters who crossed paths with Scott over the years. The story of Webster and Earl was both entertaining and insightful, as is the story of the mysterious and elusive stranger, "The Whistler." Readers will also find the story of Pat's (Scott's wife) first trip to Kipawa to be quite an adventure. Scott weaves the story of his own life and that of his family with the events surrounding the endangered Kipawa River. You will meet some very interesting people, see some amazing places, and experience true accounts of human tragedy and joy as you read "Kipawa River Chronicles." It is a great read. I highly recommend it.

Scott Sorensen's narrative beautifully dovetails his family'snorthwoods triumphs & tribulations of the past quarter centurywith the present showdown involving Hydro-Quebec - North America'slargest power-generating company, and it's attempts to dam-up theKipawa River in Northwest Quebec. This book wonderfully illustratesthe power of Mother Nature and Man's (HQ's) relentless attempts toharness it in the name of "progress" and profit.

Bravoto Scott for his efforts to bring this gross act to the forefront ofpublic attention! As this chapter of the story remains unresolved, Ipray Hydro-Quebec's progress be halted in order to protect thisnatural wonder from destruction and ensure the continuity of thosecountless ecosystems which depend on it.

Upon reading about"Ham the Cat," one must wonder why "Ham" shouldn'tjust outright attack'em!!

My family has been traveling to the Kipawa region for 4 decades and spanning 4 generations. I read this book nearly non-stop. Scott Sorenson has really put a face to the name 'Kipawa'. The author, in telling how his life has been affected by the lands surrounding the Kipawa River, instills in the reader a better understanding of the natural forces that constitute the heartbeat of this region. The book covers many topics from the history of the region to wilderness survival. I'd recommend it to anyone who has contemplated life in the north woods, or to those like me who are simply grateful for each and every visit to the land and waters that are Kipawa.

Having been brought up in the Wasatch Mountains and been taught to appreciate the outdoors, but not having the opportunities Scott has had, reading his book was a great escape! Well done.

This book was a real pleasure to read. There are three main points which make this book successful. First, the subject matter is wonderful. Mr. Sorenson has had so many strange and exciting experiences on the river that it is impossible to read about them without being thoroughly entertained. Second, the author is so free in expressing his emotions and thoughts, that you feel as if the book was written just for you. This open sharing makes you feel that you know the author and the characters, and makes you genuinely care about them. The third thing that makes the book work as a whole is the unifying force, the river. The author makes you empathize with the river as an entity and describes not only his adventures with the river, but the river's own plight. The river becomes the main character, and its uncertain future becomes the underlying motivation for all the wonderful story-telling. This gives the book a sense of purpose and keeps you turning the pages.

The Kipawa River Cronicles is an inspirational true lifecronicle of not only a beautiful northern river...but a cronicle ofadventure in the north woods. Adventure that gives hope and inspiration to all those who are fortunate enough to read through its pages. Once I began to experience this adventure with Scott, I could not put it down. I spent the better part of two days reading of hiking, fishing, climbing, logging, boating, and rescues. All laced majestically with the beauty and grandure of nature and the wonderful peace and joy that comes from a true appreciation of woods, river, and lake. The people of the Kipawa are real, down to earth, likeable people who have not only added to the lives of Scott and his family...but now to mine. Read this book and you will join in the adventure and feel the inspiration of the journey.