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Canoeing with the Cree
In 1930 two novice paddlersEric Sevareid and Walter C. Portlaunched a secondhand 18-foot canvas canoe into the Minnesota River at Fort Snelling for an ambitious summer-long journey from Minneapolis to Hudson Bay. Without benefit of radio, motor, or good maps, the teenagers made their way over 2,250 miles of rivers, lakes, and difficult portages. Nearly four months later,
...moreebook, 224 pages
Published
April 1st 2005
by Minnesota Historical Society Press
(first published 1968)
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Aug 15, 2007
Lush
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
teens and adults
Facing high school graduation, a couple of teens decide to spend their summer on an epic adventure prior to starting college and careers. Their goal: canoe from the Twin Cities to Hudson Bay.
Only 17 years old at the time, Eric Sevareid convinced not only his mother to let him go, but also a local newspaper to fund part of the adventure in return for periodic updates on their progress. Much of the route was uncertain, and they had to rely on the local population to help them find their way.
I'd...more
Only 17 years old at the time, Eric Sevareid convinced not only his mother to let him go, but also a local newspaper to fund part of the adventure in return for periodic updates on their progress. Much of the route was uncertain, and they had to rely on the local population to help them find their way.
I'd...more
And, They Said It Couldn't Be Done, June 26, 2008
"Eric Sevareid made his name as a CBS news correspondent. But at a young age, Sevareid experienced an adventure most only dream of. Sevareid detailed the journey in his book "Canoeing with the Cree". Now to mark the 75th anniversary of Sevareid's journey, two Minnesota men plan to make the same trip." Tim Post
In 1930 two young men paddled their way from Minneapolis to Hudson Bay in Canada. A trip of 2200 miles. Everyone told them it could not be...more
"Eric Sevareid made his name as a CBS news correspondent. But at a young age, Sevareid experienced an adventure most only dream of. Sevareid detailed the journey in his book "Canoeing with the Cree". Now to mark the 75th anniversary of Sevareid's journey, two Minnesota men plan to make the same trip." Tim Post
In 1930 two young men paddled their way from Minneapolis to Hudson Bay in Canada. A trip of 2200 miles. Everyone told them it could not be...more
Fun, easy-to-read true story about Eric and Walter, two Minnesota boys who canoe from Minneapolis to Hudson Bay in northeastern Canada. Sevareid shares the boys experiences fighting wilderness, river currents, unexpected situations like injuries or weather as well as the people they meet and see along the way. Reading Canoeing with the Cree is a joy because you already know that Eric and Walter are going to make it to Hudson Bay, so it's more about experiencing how the journey unfolds--not to sa...more
Dec 29, 2009
Kurt
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
People who enjoy true wilderness adventure stories.
Shelves:
adventure,
non-fiction
Always a big fan of true outdoor adventure stories, I was especially intrigued when I heard about this one because the author, who was only 17 at the time, was someone whose name was well-known to me. Eric Sevareid was a long-time reporter and anchorman for one of the national news networks during the 60's and 70's.
Canoeing with the Cree is the story of Sevareid and his friend, Walter Port, both teenagers, who decide to spend the summer of 1930 canoeing all the way from their home in Minneapolis...more
Canoeing with the Cree is the story of Sevareid and his friend, Walter Port, both teenagers, who decide to spend the summer of 1930 canoeing all the way from their home in Minneapolis...more
Aug 15, 2011
Janice
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
memoir,
favorites-of-2011
I remember Eric Sevareid as a journalist for CBS for many years. However, this book was written many years before his TV career began, in 1930, when he was only 17 years old. At that young age he and his best friend, 19 year old Walt, leave their home town of Minneapolis in a canvas canoe, with supplies they hope will last through a 2250 mile trip that will end at Hudson Bay on the Atlantic. As far as they knew, they were the first people to attempt this trip, with only their paddles and muscle...more
If I were going to recommend a nature-adventure book for adults, I'd definitely recommend 'Kon-Tiki' over 'Canoeing with the Cree.' The former can get preachy at times, but it's often beautifully written (this one's not), it's coherent(this one isn't), and it's got a sense of historical context (again not true of 'Cree'). But this book is going to be perfect for my English III classes, the quarter on the theme of nature.
'Cree' isn't trying to be a nature book, which is why it's going to work we...more
'Cree' isn't trying to be a nature book, which is why it's going to work we...more
May 07, 2012
JoDean
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Anyone who loves a good, true adventure story.
Reading this book was a delight for many different reasons only one of which was the adventure story of two teens navigating waterways from Minneapolis to Hudson Bay during the summer of 1930. The author/adventurer, Eric, made use of references to Hugo, Browning, Ballantyne and more that made me ache for education of the past. The other thing that impressed me was the overall manners and decency of the two boys - some Polish girls from a settlement along the way happened upon Eric waiting in the...more
Inspiring; makes you want to pick up a paddle and go somewhere. This would make a great book for middle schoolers because it's not on too difficult a level and the adventure will keep their attention. It's also a very innocent coming-of-age story that any parent would approve of. An adventure memoir about a self-prescribed right-of-passage, the two boys ultimately discover their ability to survive through strength, perseverence, careful planning, and reaching out for help when needed. I decided...more
In 1930, two teenagers, just graduated from High School in Minneapolis MN, beging a 4 month, 2250 mile journey by canoe from Minneapolis to Hudson Bay. Traveling with equipment that by today's standards are antiquated and heavy, they paddle their way through many areas that were uncharted with almost no population, little communication with family, braving the changing weather, and succeeding! An incredible journey that gives us insight into what it was like in the 1930's to undertake. One of th...more
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I wonder a bit what this book would have been like if written by the other paddler, whose combination of excitement and cool and humility (maybe I'm projecting) seems a bit more my taste. A classic adventure tale, a document (if prejudiced) of Cree living 80 years ago in wild Canada, and sure, an impressive adventure. But every other line seems like a heroic of blindly lucky escape from certain death. The author went on to become an award-winning TV journalist and Paris-based newspaper editor. T...more
In 1930 Eric Sevareid and his high school buddy embarked on a canoe trip which began at Fort Snelling on the Minnesota River and ended in Hudson Bay a full month later than anticipated. Paddling for three months was the plan but having countless delays and problems, they barely made it to their destination before the waterway iced over. Their inexperience was nearly their undoing multiple times. The Minneapolis newspaper partially funded the trip and expected periodic update on their progress......more
A great true-adventure tale. The young Eric Sevareid, fresh out or high school, decides it would be fun to go on a canoe trip -- from the Twin Cities to Hudson Bay, about 2250 miles! He and his equally young companion have no experience or training in long distance wilderness canoeing, or really any canoeing, so part of the adventure is them learning the hard way how to survive in unknown territory. Their trip speaks of a time we can never return to. A must read for any lover of canoeing, kayaki...more
I really enjoyed this book. 2250 miles in a canoe - a great adventure and a book worth reading. I can't add much that isn't already perfectly described in this book.
At the start of the trip during a brief stay in Fargo, North Dakota, a friend and doctor named Frederick Gronvold sets the boys on their journey in a proper frame of mind. "Don't let anyone, no matter who he is, convince you that your trip can't be completed. You have youth and strength, and courage too, I hope, and with a little co...more
At the start of the trip during a brief stay in Fargo, North Dakota, a friend and doctor named Frederick Gronvold sets the boys on their journey in a proper frame of mind. "Don't let anyone, no matter who he is, convince you that your trip can't be completed. You have youth and strength, and courage too, I hope, and with a little co...more
Incredible story of two teenagers (one of whom was Eric Sevareid, future news correspondent), who were the first to paddle a canoe from Minneapolis to Hudson Bay. They completed the trip just as winter was setting in - very lucky! Fascinating historical perspective - very heavy and antiquated equipment by today's standards. Somewhat of a boy scout approach, and some "politically incorrect" attitudes towards native peoples, but these boys were tough, and very resourceful!
This was a pretty amazing journey and narrative, especially when you consider the age and experience of Eric Sevareid when he wrote this. This short book recounts Sevareid's and his highschool classmate's 2600 mile canoe trip from Minneapolis to Hudson Bay in the summer of 1930. By all rights the trip should have ended several times, potentially in disaster. But through raw energy and determination, the two completed this epic journey. It is a ripping fun read.
As a parent I can't imagine sending off my 17 year old on this kind of trek! The book really speaks to your sense of adventure and desire to tackle something big. Our world seems so different, sadly diminished somehow. Canoeing with the Cree is clearly written by a young man without the Hollywood polish that we expect from current ghost-written first person accounts. Great book for high school boys, but before they finish, hide the canoe!
Like the hangover cure for 'Deliverance', Sevareid's boyish writing delivers all the goods for adventure-seekers with a good-hearted spirit and optimism that's hard to find nowadays. The book is definately a nostalgia trip; these were times when asking strangers for help in the middle of nowhere was okay, and riding all the way up the country was a plausible possibility. A quick, exciting read.
A very good book, describing an adventure that wouldn't happen today. Simple, direct style that is appropriate for a book written by a teenager/young adult. Seemed not to appreciate the wilderness as much as a 21st century traveler might. Also didn't recognize nor appreciate the Cree culture. The author did, however, appreciate the help from several Cree paddlers.
This is a classic adventure story and it’s true! The diary that future journalist Eric Sevareid kept in 1930 while canoeing with a friend from Minneapolis to Hudson Bay. The pair traveled over 2,250 miles of rivers and lakes, through difficult portages, helped along the way by Cree Indians, traders, and homesteaders. Brave and naive, they made it!
What a wonderful book! Simple, yet inspiring - two boys set out to canoe from Minneapolis to Hudson Bay in 1935 (one being the famous Eric Sevareid). Light a fire, cozy up and enjoy an easy but visionary read! I really enjoyed this book.
The definitive canoe trip book. Two ambitious kids paddle from Minneapolis to Hudson bay through 1930s Minnesota and Canada. Great read, especially if you've ever done or dreamed about a trip like this.
I really enjoyed reading this book not because of the amazing writing or thrilling content...but because of it's honesty and the amazing fact these teenage boys had such an adventure!
great simple adventure story. canoeing from minneapolis to hudson bay. defo clear that the book was written in the 1930's. thanks mom, great christmas gift.
Great book, although a bit linguistically elemental, I would expect nothing less from a great news man like Eric Sevareid.
Wow! What an amazing story! I jus finished it and restarted the audio book to listen again! What bravery these boys had!
Amazing account of two boys transforming to men on a chance of a lifetime trip from Minneapolis to Hudson Bay. An exciting, easy, quick read!
A good story. Quite the adventure. It reflects a very different time than today (obviously), but also different than my view Of that period of time. Very primitive areas still existed. I wonder what those same areas are like today? Also wonder if anyone else has made such a trip since?
One thing though, his descriptions of the amount of weight some people carried. I simply can't believe it. Sure people were strong up north, but 100 pounds carried by a ten year old and 500# by a man - I don't see...more
One thing though, his descriptions of the amount of weight some people carried. I simply can't believe it. Sure people were strong up north, but 100 pounds carried by a ten year old and 500# by a man - I don't see...more
Again, true adventure isn't usually my favorite genre, but this one is worth it. As a young man, future news caster Eric Severeid and a friend canoe from the twin cities to Hudson Bay.
On a scale of one to ten, this book is so awesome it reaches a 50!
Great nonfiction read aloud! My children and I really enjoyed it.
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