The Broken Ukulele

Join author Mark Hunter Lavigne as he backpacks solo through Ontario's Algonquin Park in search of a campsite safely situated on high ground, drinking water that won't give him beaver fever, and-maybe, just maybe-the meaning of life!

Along the way, Mark shares some hard-won advice grounded in his own experiences, including:

• Always try to build two benches with the same wood.
• Celebrate life's little moments so you're ready for the big ones.
• Avoid debt at all costs.
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As Mark's sojourn continued, he decided readers young and old, but especially those nearer to the beginning of life's journey than its end, might enjoy and perhaps even benefit from the various life lessons he has learned over the years. The result is a book that is insightful, amusing, and sometimes poignant.

PRAISE FOR THE BROKEN UKULELE

[The Broken Ukulele] reminded me of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, which I read a couple times back in the 1970s.... Ukulele isn't Zen in that it gives legitimate camping advice (Zen didn't offer motorcycle maintenance advice), but it travels some of the same philosophical turf. At the same time, Mark's observations are of a different nature and he gives some handy camping tips; I like the photos, and felt like I wanted to take the same trek. I'm looking forward to Mark's next book, and although I'm not a canoeist, I'd kind of like to make the trip with him. --Stuart Adams

While reading The Broken Ukulele I felt like I was right there on the trek with Mark through Algonquin Park, and experiencing firsthand his camping life and other humorous adventures. Mark also gives us an open and intimate look at his family and work life, and some wise advice on negotiating life's highs and lows. It's a great read while sitting by the campfire listening to the loons out on the lake. Give us more please. --Jim Cronin

"Beyond the enjoyment of taking a mental escape into Algonquin Park, ... here are my favorite lessons from The Broken Ukulele: 

'Always be kind when you can, the universe needs it like oxygen.'

Favourite wisdom (and warning): Our democracy depends on truth in journalism-we must beware where we get our information from: 'With traditional news...seeing massive, never-ending budget cuts, this essential watchdog of our democracy is in severe jeopardy. When it's gone, it's gone. With this degradation come the leaders we see popping up all over the world.'" --Angie Dawson

Mark Hunter LaVigne has taught three generations of college students (Gen X, Gen Y, and now Gen Z) and helped raise four twenty somethings. A few still actually live with him. He is the author or co-author of four books, including The Adventures of Matilda the Tooth Fairy and Proactive Media Relations: A Canadian Perspective. He is also a songwriter and performer on guitar, ukulele, harmonica and vocals. He lives in Aurora, Ontario with aforementioned grown children and his buddy cat Simba.