"North American Canoe Country is a complete treatise on the art of canoeing. Written as a guide for travelers who want to embark on self-sufficient trips deep into the wilderness, this book offers readers all the information they need to plan and undertake a canoe trip. Rutstrum gives the essentials on canoes, comparing birch-bark, wood, wood-and-canvas, and aluminum crafts. His paddling techniques are timeless - he describes strategies for rough waters and rapids, for boating alone or in tandem, including stroke diagrams. Portaging, safety procedures, direction finding, towing, and much more are systematically explained."--BOOK JACKET.