The Voyageur

This book provides the history we were never taught in school. It fills many voids in our understanding of how the North American continent was explored and subsequently settled. I will recommend it to my grandsons when they are old enough to study American history and need supplimental reading to better understand timelines of exploration and discovery that are also linked to international relations issues between Great Britain, France, Canada and the United States. I enjoyed the book and found interesting parts that included the Voyageur's songs. While I do not read French, portions are translated into English. These segements provide an interesting insight into these amazing men's character.

The canoemen of the North are still in their prime thanks to legendary borderland author Grace Lee Nute. Published in 1951, The Voyageur is written as a survey piece into the history and spirit of the voyageurs - or French Canadian canoemen. These adventurous canoemen traversed the rivers and lakes of the U.S.-Canadian borderlands in the 1600s, 1700s, and early 1800s; these rugged individuals are akin to the Mountain Men or Cowboys of the American West. In addition, these northern canoemen are romantic figures given to tall-tales, legends, and real-life history. Ms. Nute is careful to keep the writing introductory in nature, but not simplistic. Gateway, or entry-level readers, feel welcomed and not overwhelmed by academic jargon. As a result, Ms. Nute crafts a comprehensive linguistic, ecological, cultural, social, and ultimately historical documentation. Easy reading aside, The Voyageur is indeed comprehensive as it gives a general portrait of every aspect of voyageur life. Ms. Nute is very good at demonstrating the difference between voyageurs and couers d' bois and is skilled at documenting the voyageurs social life and subsequent interactions with Native Americans, merchants, and other voyageurs. For the non-French speaker, there may be occasional frustrations in the chapters concerning voyageur's songs and poetry as feelings and emotions may get lost in translation. Also, these chapters appear in the middle of the book and tend to break-up the historical documentation and narrative; perhaps, these chapters would be more suitable towards the book's end. Nevertheless, the Voyageur is a terrific introductory history into the rugged canoemen of the North.

Flap jacks and Chilly Willy the Penguin. Great reflection on the history of North America. I'm always excited to find family names in these books, but only places I've been appear here. If you want to know the real meaning of the North or America, here it is.

If you're looking for information about the voyageur life, this is it. To the point, thorough. This is 1930's publication is steak compared with some modern publications which are hot dog resources: mostly filler. I'll keep it on my shelf and refer to it often.

Interesting info about sturdy souls during a fascinating era in history, but too much space devoted to songs in French. Their endurance makes us modern paddlers all feel like wimps.

Enjoyed the NW history (Midwest) and descriptions of life on the trail. But Book defective- ends on page 260 missing last 61 pages and no references. Waiting for seller to replace.

This is an exceptional book about the early fur trade history with its focus principally on Canada and the FRench - Canadians. It is well written and very readible

A great history of voyageurs and superb source citations. Many little known facts are presented to the reader.

This is an extremely pleasant read. The author keeps the pace lively, as befits a book centered on the paddling of birch bark canoes along swift rivers and down even swifter rapids. But Ms. Nute gives us a decent amount of depth as well, drawing on primary source material - regarding the songs the voyageurs sang while paddling, how the variously sized birch bark canoes were constructed, the rigors of the great portages, how pemmican was made, which expeditions of exploration voyageurs were part of, their involvement in the American Revolution and the War of 1812, the settlements they founded, etc. For many readers who have only a scanty knowledge of voyageur exploits and culture, the book will be something of an eyeopener. For those who know a bit more, I’m sure you will still find solid gems of information here and exciting stories and unknown facts. Recommended.

Superb book very well written and very informative.

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