The Canoe (2005, Paperback)

A fabulous, indispensable book for gaining knowledge of all manner of canoes and kayaks down through the centuries to present times, as well as from coast to coast to coast across North America. The canoe/kayak represents hundreds, even thousands of years of transportation history across a vast continent. Traditionally used by First Nation and Inuit, they became the means by which the European settlers first explored and later opened the interior. More recently, they have evolved into highly popular recreational and competitive sporting items. In this extremely well written work, complete with extensive, colorful photographic layouts, the lead author has pulled together contributions of knowledge and expertise from many leaders, academics, builders and museum curators to assemble in one volume all you need to appreciate what a marvelous creation the canoe is. Don't just take my word for it; have a look. You'll soon be headed for the check-out line, impatient to get home and read it. And, if you love canoes at all, you'll do that many times over; it's that good!! From bark canoes to seal skin kayaks, from sea-going dugouts and walrus hide umiaks to the first cedar strippers and on to modern factory canoes and the newest, sportiest racing types, it's all here.