The book is well researched and contains a lot more detail than I would have expected. Not knowing much about canoes (or boats in general) I found myself having to look up many of the words (gunwale, keel, etc). What I found especially interesting was the discussion of just how they were able to make very well made canoes without metal implements. All the boards used in the interior and bark had to be kept very wet in hot water (which they dropped hot rocks into to boil) to keep it malleable. They were then sewn together with pine roots preferably, or sinew if pine roots were not available. Some groups used frames to help build the canoes, while others did not. The author went into detail about the different types of canoes (Some more suited for streams, ocean, cargo, hunting etc) as well as details about the differences in canoe style between different First Nations groups. Also mentioned were a few of the decorations used, and the different types of paddles made (e.g. regular paddles vs. 8 foot paddles for steering in the rapids). Simple line drawings were included along with a few old photos.

The book was a much more in depth read than I expected, and I have much more respect for how much work must have gone into these old canoes! Likely a lost art I am afraid. ( )