Customer Reviews

Visions of the Wild: A Voyage by Kayak Around Vancouver Island

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

 

 

Great photos, and an entertaining narrative of their voyage.

But:

They had several close call/misadventures that all apparently resulted from Dag's decisions to paddle into known poor conditions, and good luck that allowed them to survive the predicaments they got into. Kayaking is great fun, but paddling a little boat in big water means you have to be willing to adapt your plans to stay safe. Maria seems to be the sensible one - she should be the skipper!

Boy-o-boy are they ever hyper-greenies. You know - harvesting trees is not mortal sin. Some people make their living in the timber industry in order for other people to have wood for houses, furniture - even kayaks. The book would be much better without the preaching.

Even with these caveats - it's a fun read and I recommend it.

"Visions of the wild" is a book that you will want to read again. Dag's outstanding photography makes it a good coffee table book to enjoy the pictures time and time again. Maria's simplistic writing style captures your attention, entertains and holds you throughout. It makes readers feel like they are on the journey with Maria & Dag exploring the waters around Vancouver Island. Reading this book, makes me feel like I am revisiting those places in the Pacific Northwest that I have previously travelled (by car and kayak). A great book!

I bought this book because I have just bought my first kayak and I can't wait for the days in the far future when I can go on such wonderful adventures as what these two, obviously wonderful people, have done. I have a love of British Columbia, and especially Vancouver Island, which their book reinforces with their descriptions of the scenery and the people of the Island, who I have found to be some of the friendliest folks in the world. A great read.

My first thought after finishing this book was that I'd like to read it again....immediately! I found myself caught up in the magic and excitement of Dag and Maria's adventure, entertained by their humor and awed by their endurance.
Dag's pictures are a real treat. Beyond supporting the story, they are works of art on their own. Not only is this a teriffic adventure tale, it is a great picture book.
For those who like to venture into the wild, or read about those who do, this book will satisfy. If you can't be out there doing it, a book like this is the next best thing.

This is a beautifully written book about the authors circumnavigation of the biggest Island off America's Westcoast. Having paddled a lot of the circumnavigation in parts gives them a huge advantage over non-locals since they know a lot of the good landing spots as well as the crux points and have friends along the path. This reflects in the book, where the reader gets the impression that these are two competent kayakers applying their skills to reach their goal. The pictures are stunning and very high quality. This book was the perfect primer for a paddling trip on Johnston Strait and the Broughton Archipelago for me - I could not put it down...