In 'The Survival of the Bark Canoe,' John McPhee embarks on a captivating journey through the art and tradition of constructing bark canoes in North America. He intertwines history, culture, and personal anecdotes, revealing how this ancient craft is at risk of vanishing. As he immerses himself in both the craftsmanship and the significance of these canoes, readers discover the profound connection between people and nature. McPhee's narrative is rich with insight, inviting readers to reflect on sustainability and heritage. Will this time-honored skill endure, or will it drift into obscurity?
By John McPhee
Published: 1982
"The bark canoe is not just a vessel; it is a testament to the ingenuity of those who shaped it from the trees and waters of their world."
In Greenville, New Hampshire, a small town in the southern part of the state, Henri Vaillancourt makes birch-bark canoes in the same manner and with the same tools that the Indians used. The Survival of the Bark Canoe is the story of this ancient craft and of a 150-mile trip through the Maine woods in those graceful survivors of a prehistoric technology. It is a book squarely in the tradition of one written by the first tourist in these woods, Henry David Thoreau, whose The Maine Woods recounts similar journeys in similar vessel. As McPhee describes the expedition he made with Vaillancourt, he also traces the evolution of the bark canoe, from its beginnings through the development of the huge canoes used by the fur traders of the Canadian North Woods, where the bark canoe played the key role in opening up the wilderness. He discusses as well the differing types of bark canoes, whose construction varied from tribe to tribe, according to custom and available materials. In a style as pure and as effortless as the waters of Maine and the glide of a canoe, John McPhee has written one of his most fascinating books, one in which his talents as a journalist are on brilliant display.
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“The bark canoe is not just a vessel; it is a testament to the ingenuity of those who shaped it from the trees and waters of their world.”
The Survival of the Bark Canoe
By John McPhee
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John McPhee is an acclaimed American author and journalist, known for his masterful narrative nonfiction and intricate storytelling. Born on March 8, 1931, he has penned numerous influential works, including 'Coming into the Country,' 'The Control of Nature,' and 'Annals of the Former World,' which won the Pulitzer Prize for Biography or Autobiography in 1999. McPhee's writing often emphasizes detailed research, vivid prose, and a deep sense of place, reflecting his keen interest in human interaction with the natural world. His ability to merge personal narrative with larger themes has made him a significant figure in contemporary literature.
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