Path of the Paddle: An Illustrated Guide to the Art of Canoeing

Path of the Paddle: An Illustrated Guide to the Art of Canoeing; Bill Mason; Van Nostrand Reinhold Ltd., Toronto, 1980. Foreword by Pierre Elliott Trudeau. First edition, first printing. From the blurb – Described by one of his canoeing companions as a genial fanatic, Bill Mason has written the kind of book that could only have come from such a person. Drawing on over forty years’ experience in which he has paddled North America’s most challenging lakes and rivers, Mason has created the ultimate book on the art of canoeing. In unique fashion he combines lively text with over 650 photographs and diagrams to present every important aspect of the subject – equipment, basic and advanced techniques, whitewater canoeing, how to read water conditions, how to anticipate problems, safety measures, and much more. Throughout the book he frequently recounts fascinating experiences he has had while canoeing in such diverse and exciting places as Lake Superior and the Nahanni, Dumoine, English and Petawawa rivers. Path of the Paddle is the ultimate book for the expert, the novice, the individual or the family canoeist. Written with simplicity and enthusiasm, it captures both the excitement and quiet joy that are offered by the wilderness canoe trip. It is the kind of book that dedicated and would-be canoeists alike will find indispensable and enjoyable for years to come. This hardcover book, 200 pages, is in fine condition, in a near-fine dust jacket that is now enclosed in a protective mylar wrap. The spine of the dust jacket is very slightly faded and the front still has the original WH Smith price sticker.…