by George Dyson
First published 1999
George Dyson encounters the forgotten craft of Aleut baidarka construction and becomes captivated by these elegant sea kayaks. He learns their ancient building techniques and creates his own vessels. Dyson then embarks on extensive journeys across varied waters, testing his handmade boats against ocean swells and coastal challenges. His travels take him through remote waterways where few modern kayakers venture. The baidarka becomes both his companion and teacher as he navigates treacherous passages. Through storms and calm seas alike, Dyson discovers what the Aleut people knew centuries ago about reading water and weather. His adventures reveal the deep connection between craftsman and creation, between paddler and sea.
Genres: nature, adventure, non-fiction, biography-memoir
Vibes: atmospheric, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: man-and-machine, man-vs-nature
Setting: Aleut, Ocean
203 pages · Paperback · Alaska Northwest Books