Synopsis
We think of the cottage or cabin as a place where we can be our truest, most authentic selves. For those lucky enough to own one, just knowing it awaits can sustain the soul through the workday grind.
In Escape, Roy MacGregor explores the powerful hold the wilderness, and the thought of our place in it, has on our imaginations. He weaves together chapters of personal history, telling of his family’s deep connection to the lakes and forests of central Ontario, and chapters that detail the evolution of the idea of wilderness in Canada and the history of “Cottage Country.” He shows that the Canadian wilderness meant freedom for many early settlers escaping privation and oppression in Europe. It meant a chance to create a paradise on earth to some early Utopians, and it meant a chance to profit from the desperate or gullible, such as at Cannington Manor in Saskatchewan and Brother Twelve’s City of Refuge on Vancouver Island.
In more recent times, the wilderness and the cottage have represented an escape from a technologically driven and hectic civilization – although too often we take the trappings of our urban lives with us to the detriment of our intended refuge. In cottage country, MacGregor suggests, we may be loving our wilderness to death.
This is a thoughtful, evocative, and often moving book about an essential part of the Canadian psyche by one of our best-loved writers.
From the Hardcover edition.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
About the Author
Roy MacGregor’s books of adult non-fiction include the Canadian bestsellers Home Game (with Ken Dryden), The Home Team, shortlisted for the 1996 Governor General’s Award, and A Life in the Bush, which won the prestigious Rutstrum Award as the best book on the wilderness published in North America in 1995-2000. He lives in Kanata, Ontario.
From the Hardcover edition.
From the Back Cover
“MacGregor's intimate knowledge of and affection for the bush shines through every page. The result is a book that is moving, thought-provoking and, finally, convincing.
“This is an impressive book, not only because personal history is seamlessly integrated with historical and geographical information, not only because of the writer's journalistic eye for detail … but really because it is an exploration of the Canadian sensibility. In this respect, it can be compared with Atwood’s Survival.”
–Ottawa Citizen
“Poetic.…Intensely readable.…This is a book for cottagers and condo dwellers to curl up with.…[A] charming weave of history, memoir and insight into the deep pull of the wilderness.”
–Globe and Mail
“A very fine collection of nature writing. Escape follows the personal and haunting family history of MacGregor’s wonderful A Life in the Bush.…With Escape, MacGregor pushes beyond the merely personal, exploring the history of Canadian exploration and settlement, the social history of villages now lost, and the allure and fall of intentional communities.
“Arresting, powerful writing.…This is the full concentrated involvement of mind and soul in conscious awareness of the passage of days, seasons, and years.”
–Quill & Quire
From the Hardcover edition.
From the Inside Flap
We think of the cottage or cabin as a place where we can be our truest, most authentic selves. For those lucky enough to own one, just knowing it awaits can sustain the soul through the workday grind.
In Escape, Roy MacGregor explores the powerful hold the wilderness, and the thought of our place in it, has on our imaginations. He weaves together chapters of personal history, telling of his family?s deep connection to the lakes and forests of central Ontario, and chapters that detail the evolution of the idea of wilderness in Canada and the history of ?Cottage Country.? He shows that the Canadian wilderness meant freedom for many early settlers escaping privation and oppression in Europe. It meant a chance to create a paradise on earth to some early Utopians, and it meant a chance to profit from the desperate or gullible, such as at Cannington Manor in Saskatchewan and Brother Twelve?s City of Refuge on Vancouver Island.
In more recent times, the wilderness and the cottage have represented an escape from a technologically driven and hectic civilization ? although too often we take the trappings of our urban lives with us to the detriment of our intended refuge. In cottage country, MacGregor suggests, we may be loving our wilderness to death.
This is a thoughtful, evocative, and often moving book about an essential part of the Canadian psyche by one of our best-loved writers.
From the Hardcover edition.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Other Popular Editions of the Same Title
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Escape In Search of the Natura
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Escape: In Search of the Natural Soul of Canada
Published by
McClelland & Stewart Ltd, Toronto, ON, 2002
ISBN 10: 0771056036
ISBN 13: 9780771056031
Used
Soft cover
Seller: Werdz Quality Used Books, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Soft cover. Condition: Very Good. Clean, tight, unmarked; crease in top corner of front cover; otherwise very minimal wear; MacGregor explores the powerful hold the natural world, and the thought of our place in it, has on the Canadian imagination. Seller Inventory # 002081
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Escape: In Search of the Natural Soul of Canada
Published by
McClelland & Stewart, 2003
ISBN 10: 0771056036
ISBN 13: 9780771056031
Used
Soft cover
First Edition
Seller: Mister-Seekers Bookstore, Edmonton, AB, Canada
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Soft cover. Condition: As New. 1st Edition. In Excellent Used Condition. May Have Minor Shelf Wear To Edges. For More Information On Condition. Please See All Photos. - We Think Of The Cottage Or Cabin As A Place Where We Can Be Our Truest, Most Authentic Selves. For Those Lucky Enough To Own One, Just Knowing It Awaits Can Sustain The Soul Through The Workday Grind. In Escape, Roy Macgregor Explores The Powerful Hold The Wilderness, And The Thought Of Our Place In It, Has On Our Imaginations. He Weaves Together Chapters Of Personal History, Telling Of His Family'S Deep Connection To The Lakes And Forests Of Central Ontario, And Chapters That Detail The Evolution Of The Idea Of Wilderness In Canada And The History Of "Cottage Country." He Shows That The Canadian Wilderness Meant Freedom For Many Early Settlers Escaping Privation And Oppression In Europe. It Meant A Chance To Create A Paradise On Earth To Some Early Utopians, And It Meant A Chance To Profit From The Desperate Or Gullible, Such As At Cannington Manor In Saskatchewan And Brother Twelve'S City Of Refuge On Vancouver Island. In More Recent Times, The Wilderness And The Cottage Have Represented An Escape From A Technologically Driven And Hectic Civilization - Although Too Often We Take The Trappings Of Our Urban Lives With Us To The Detriment Of Our Intended Refuge. In Cottage Country, Macgregor Suggests, We May Be Loving Our Wilderness To Death. This Is A Thoughtful, Evocative, And Often Moving Book About An Essential Part Of The Canadian Psyche By One Of Our Best-Loved Writers. From The Hardcover Edition. Seller Inventory # 004131
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Escape: In Search of the Natural Soul of Canada
Published by
McClelland & Stewart, Toronto, 2002
ISBN 10: 0771056036
ISBN 13: 9780771056031
Used
Trade Paperback
Seller: Alhambra Books, Edmonton, AB, Canada
Seller rating 4 out of 5 stars
Trade Paperback. Condition: Very Good. 276 pp. Light corner wear. Interior unmarked, spine straight and uncreased. Seller Inventory # 030152