Items related to Atchafalaya Houseboat: My Years in the Louisiana Swamp

Atchafalaya Houseboat: My Years in the Louisiana Swamp - Hardcover

  • 4.18 out of 5 stars
    513 ratings by Goodreads
 
9780807130896: Atchafalaya Houseboat: My Years in the Louisiana Swamp

Synopsis

In the early 1970s, two idealistic young people―Gwen Carpenter Roland and Calvin Voisin―decided to leave civilization and re-create the vanished simple life of their great-grandparents in the heart of Louisiana's million-acre Atchafalaya River Basin Swamp. Armed with a box of crayons and a book called How to Build Your Home in the Woods, they drew up plans to recycle a slave-built structure into a houseboat. Without power tools or building experience they constructed a floating dwelling complete with a brick fireplace. Towed deep into the sleepy waters of Bloody Bayou, it was their home for eight years. This is the tale of the not-so-simple life they made together―days spent fishing, trading, making wine, growing food, and growing up―told by Gwen with grace, economy, and eloquence.

Not long after they took up swamp living, Gwen and Calvin met a young photographer named C. C. Lockwood, who shared their "back to the earth" values. His photographs of the couple going about their daily routine were published in National Geographic magazine, bringing them unexpected fame. More than a quarter of a century later, after Gwen and Calvin had long since parted, one of Lockwood's photos of them appeared in a National Geographic collector's edition entitled 100 Best Pictures Unpublished―and kindled the interest of a new generation.

With quiet wisdom, Gwen recounts her eight-year voyage of discovery―about swamp life, wildlife, and herself. A keen observer of both the natural world and the ways of human beings, she transports readers to an unfamiliar and exotic place.

"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

About the Author

Gwen Roland is the author of Atchafalaya Houseboat: My Years in the Louisiana Swamp and Postmark Bayou Chene: A Novel. She continues to write about agriculture and self-sufficient lifestyles from her homestead in Georgia.

Reviews

In the late 1970s, Roland and Calvin Voisin made a decision to live a pleasantly isolated life: they constructed a houseboat in Louisiana's Atchafalaya River Basin Swamp, caught their own food and made money by trading and welding. Roland and Voisin revel in their isolation, and the joy Roland takes in retelling her experiences is evident on every page. The book is enhanced by nature photographer C.C. Lockwood's photographs, which depict the couple going about their daily houseboat business (and were published in National Geographic). Roland's writing, most of which was done at the time, is highly accessible if at times disjointed. It's hard to discern an exact sequence of events, and certain things seem to happen out of nowhere, like when Roland leaves Voisin for another man, whom she marries. The end of the book, in which Roland discusses her fascination with organic gardening pioneer Robert Rodale and sketches her life today, makes for a less than satisfying ending to an otherwise intriguing look at a disappearing way of life. Photos.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.

Buy Used

Condition: Good
Good condition ex-library book...
View this item

FREE shipping within U.S.A.

Destination, rates & speeds

Search results for Atchafalaya Houseboat: My Years in the Louisiana Swamp

Stock Image

Roland, Gwen
Published by LSU Press, 2006
ISBN 10: 0807130893 ISBN 13: 9780807130896
Used Hardcover

Seller: SecondSale, Montgomery, IL, U.S.A.

Seller rating 4 out of 5 stars 4-star rating, Learn more about seller ratings

Condition: Good. Good condition ex-library book with usual library markings and stickers. Seller Inventory # 00085702680

Contact seller

Buy Used

US$ 9.98
Convert currency
Shipping: FREE
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds

Quantity: 3 available

Add to basket

Stock Image

Roland, Gwen
Published by LSU Press, 2006
ISBN 10: 0807130893 ISBN 13: 9780807130896
Used Hardcover

Seller: Better World Books: West, Reno, NV, U.S.A.

Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars 5-star rating, Learn more about seller ratings

Condition: Good. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages. Seller Inventory # 5338231-6

Contact seller

Buy Used

US$ 10.00
Convert currency
Shipping: FREE
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds

Quantity: 1 available

Add to basket

Stock Image

Roland, Gwen
Published by LSU Press, 2006
ISBN 10: 0807130893 ISBN 13: 9780807130896
Used Hardcover

Seller: Midtown Scholar Bookstore, Harrisburg, PA, U.S.A.

Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars 5-star rating, Learn more about seller ratings

Hardcover. Condition: Good. Good - Bumped and creased book with tears to the extremities, but not affecting the text block, may have remainder mark or previous owner's name - GOOD HARDCOVER Good - Bumped and creased book with tears to the extremities, but not affecting the text block, may have remainder mark or previous owner's name - GOOD Standard-sized. Seller Inventory # M0807130893Z3

Contact seller

Buy Used

US$ 8.09
Convert currency
Shipping: US$ 6.00
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds

Quantity: 1 available

Add to basket

Stock Image

Roland, Gwen
Published by LSU Press, 2006
ISBN 10: 0807130893 ISBN 13: 9780807130896
Used Hardcover

Seller: Meadowland Media, Fayetteville, AR, U.S.A.

Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars 5-star rating, Learn more about seller ratings

hardcover. Condition: WE SHIP DAILY WITH TRACKING. Seller Inventory # K160-AL-012225-202

Contact seller

Buy Used

US$ 17.95
Convert currency
Shipping: US$ 3.99
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds

Quantity: 1 available

Add to basket

Seller Image

Roland, Gwen; Lockwood, C. C. (PHT)
Published by LSU Press, 2006
ISBN 10: 0807130893 ISBN 13: 9780807130896
New Hardcover

Seller: GreatBookPrices, Columbia, MD, U.S.A.

Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars 5-star rating, Learn more about seller ratings

Condition: New. Seller Inventory # 4096586-n

Contact seller

Buy New

US$ 35.64
Convert currency
Shipping: US$ 2.64
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds

Quantity: 1 available

Add to basket

Seller Image

Gwen Roland
ISBN 10: 0807130893 ISBN 13: 9780807130896
New Hardcover

Seller: Rarewaves.com USA, London, LONDO, United Kingdom

Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars 5-star rating, Learn more about seller ratings

Hardback. Condition: New. In the early 1970s, two idealistic young people -- Gwen Carpenter Roland and Calvin Voisin -- decided to leave civilization and re-create the vanished simple life of their great-grandparents in the heart of Louisiana's million-acre Atchafalaya River Basin Swamp. Armed with a box of crayons and a book called How to Build Your Home in the Woods, they drew up plans to recycle a slave-built structure into a houseboat. Without power tools or building experience they constructed a floating dwelling complete with a brick fireplace. Towed deep into the sleepy waters of Bloody Bayou, it was their home for eight years. This is the tale of the not-so-simple life they made together -- days spent fishing, trading, making wine, growing food, and growing up -- told by Gwen with grace, economy, and eloquence.Not long after they took up swamp living, Gwen and Calvin met a young photographer named C. C. Lockwood, who shared their ""back to the earth"" values. His photographs of the couple going about their daily routine were published in National Geographic magazine, bringing them unexpected fame. More than a quarter of a century later, after Gwen and Calvin had long since parted, one of Lockwood's photos of them appeared in a National Geographic collector's edition entitled 100 Best Pictures Unpublished -- and kindled the interest of a new generation.With quiet wisdom, Gwen recounts her eight-year voyage of discovery -- about swamp life, wildlife, and herself. A keen observer of both the natural world and the ways of human beings, she transports readers to an unfamiliar and exotic place. Seller Inventory # LU-9780807130896

Contact seller

Buy New

US$ 38.29
Convert currency
Shipping: FREE
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds

Quantity: 10 available

Add to basket

Stock Image

Gwen Roland
Published by MP-LSU LSU Press, 2006
ISBN 10: 0807130893 ISBN 13: 9780807130896
New Hardcover

Seller: PBShop.store UK, Fairford, GLOS, United Kingdom

Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars 5-star rating, Learn more about seller ratings

HRD. Condition: New. New Book. Shipped from UK. Established seller since 2000. Seller Inventory # FW-9780807130896

Contact seller

Buy New

US$ 34.36
Convert currency
Shipping: US$ 5.56
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds

Quantity: 15 available

Add to basket

Stock Image

Roland, Gwen
Published by LSU Press, 2006
ISBN 10: 0807130893 ISBN 13: 9780807130896
New Hardcover

Seller: Toscana Books, AUSTIN, TX, U.S.A.

Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars 5-star rating, Learn more about seller ratings

Hardcover. Condition: new. Excellent Condition.Excels in customer satisfaction, prompt replies, and quality checks. Seller Inventory # Scanned0807130893

Contact seller

Buy New

US$ 35.96
Convert currency
Shipping: US$ 4.30
Within U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds

Quantity: 1 available

Add to basket

Stock Image

Roland, Gwen und C. Lockwood C.:
Published by LOUISIANA ST UNIV PR, 2006
ISBN 10: 0807130893 ISBN 13: 9780807130896
Used Hardcover

Seller: Studibuch, Stuttgart, Germany

Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars 5-star rating, Learn more about seller ratings

hardcover. Condition: Gut. 161 Seiten; 9783540037002.3 Gewicht in Gramm: 500. Seller Inventory # 538908

Contact seller

Buy Used

US$ 8.32
Convert currency
Shipping: US$ 35.69
From Germany to U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds

Quantity: 2 available

Add to basket

Stock Image

Roland, Gwen/ Lockwood, C. C. (Photographer)
Published by Louisiana State Univ Pr, 2006
ISBN 10: 0807130893 ISBN 13: 9780807130896
New Hardcover

Seller: Revaluation Books, Exeter, United Kingdom

Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars 5-star rating, Learn more about seller ratings

Hardcover. Condition: Brand New. stated edition. 161 pages. 7.00x5.25x0.75 inches. In Stock. Seller Inventory # __0807130893

Contact seller

Buy New

US$ 32.88
Convert currency
Shipping: US$ 13.35
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Destination, rates & speeds

Quantity: 2 available

Add to basket

There are 13 more copies of this book

View all search results for this book