A Boundary Water’s
History, Stephan Wilbers
This small book is a pleasurable way to take a journey to
canoe country in the winter when ice prevents the real canoes from
floating. Steve has created an unusual
book - a family memoir blended with ruminations about the history of this
national treasurer.
As voyeurs we can journey with their family of voyageurs as
they paddle the lakes and enjoy the campsites of canoe country, but if you are
not in to eavesdropping on another family and their passion for the land and
lifestyle of canoe country, you can skim that portion and find the treasures of
knowledge that are imparted in the quotes from Steve’s personal collection of
Canoe Country books, or you can engage in thinking about the many issues that
are part of this massive wilderness.
Steve introduces people and events that shape our perspective
of the landscape as well as the political machinations needed to set aside this
pristine beauty. It is not written as a
timeline narrative (although Steve has produced a timeline on his website that
I share with my college students).
Rather aspects of the canoe country are inspired by actions,
observations, and details of various trips which actually has the impact of making
these wide ranging events feel more personal and related to our human
experience.
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