The Survival of the Bark Canoe by John McPhee

John McPhee's classic book, The Survival of the Bark Canoe, is the remarkable story of man's struggle against nature, and of the craftspeople who have kept the traditional art of bark canoe building alive.

For centuries, Native Americans have relied upon the bark canoe as a means of transportation on rivers and lakes. The skilled craftspeople who create and maintain bark canoes view the canoe as a living thing, and see a deep spiritual connection with the land and its waterways. Despite the advancement of modern materials and technologies, the craftspeople continue to use traditional tools and materials to build these delicate, lightweight vessels.

In The Survival of the Bark Canoe, McPhee takes readers on a journey which combines history, science and physical exploration. Through interviews with surviving canoe-makers, McPhee provides readers with an intimate portrait of a vanishing art form. The author provides a detailed examination of both the technical aspects of canoe-making and its spiritual and cultural meaning for those who practice it.

McPhee documents the struggle that bark canoe builders and maintainers face in order to keep the ancient practice alive, such as a changing market dynamic, lack of interest from younger generations, and the cost of traditional materials and tools. Despite these hurdles, the craftspeople who still practice the ancient art are passionate and determined.

McPhee recounts his own canoe-making experiences and the triumphant journeys of skilled canoe-makers, who, against all odds, have managed to build these incredible vessels and successfully navigate them down mighty rivers, proving the resilience of the bark canoe.

The bark canoe has endured for centuries and, in spite of the many challenges it faces, continues to be an internationally recognized symbol of strength and determination. McPhee's book is a remarkable testimony to its survival and relevance in the modern world.

In his work, McPhee offers readers an inspiring look at the powerful connection between man, nature, and the craftspeople who have kept the ancient art of bark canoe building alive. With meticulous research and compelling anecdotes, The Survival of the Bark Canoe is an important document about an ancient and fragile way of life that is still alive in the 21st century.