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Crazy-White-Man
The author was a businessman from New York who got tired of the “Big City” life and was unhappy for some time. He decided to move as far away from that environment. Taking only his dog, some gear, and an open heart he travelled to Canada.
"THEY all said I was crazy. That is, everyone who knew of my plans for the future said so. They’d look at me, and shake their heads, and ‘The guy’s just plain nuts.’
When I finally began to agree with them, it was then too late for me to do anything about it. I was seated in a canoe, well past the last outpost of civilization, headed north towards the bit of insular real estate I had bought, unseen, deep in the Canadian bush country. For the first time in months I had the opportunity to relax and do a bit of meditating, and I was in a perfect spot for it..."
"THEY all said I was crazy. That is, everyone who knew of my plans for the future said so. They’d look at me, and shake their heads, and ‘The guy’s just plain nuts.’
When I finally began to agree with them, it was then too late for me to do anything about it. I was seated in a canoe, well past the last outpost of civilization, headed north towards the bit of insular real estate I had bought, unseen, deep in the Canadian bush country. For the first time in months I had the opportunity to relax and do a bit of meditating, and I was in a perfect spot for it..."
225 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1952
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
July 21, 2020
I admit, I'm surprised to discover that R. Morenus was accompanied by his wife during his time in the bush. But, like every carefully considered word in his book, I suspect there is a reason for it...whether we the readers deserve that secret isn't our decision to make. All that is left to us is the story itself and the story, fragmented as it may be without the presence of Nan, was remarkable.
A man of the city, with an over-stressed body and restless mind (the hidden staple of prolific writers), retreats to the idyll of nature in search of health and poise. What he expects is soothing existence in an unadulterated garden. What he finds is the opposite : a land that demands as ritual offering labor and sweat and sacrifice. And, paradoxically, this is the cure. To his weak body. To his anxious mind.
The land demands his complete devotion. And the author discovers this is the gift. A single misstep -- into the slush-ice of a not-quite-frozen lake or deep hole covered over by pine needles -- can mean death in the Canadian wilderness, and this threat of risk Morenus must balance with singularity of purpose. This is the 1940's in one the most remote areas of the planet. If tragedy strikes it is the individual it strikes who must bear it and beat it back. Or wind up like Buchanan, the trapper-trapped in his remote shack, or the victims of the deadly Packraft Lake.
To avoid this fate Morenus sets his will on "learning the bush." And he does. The knowledge he gleans from the local Indians, trappers, prospectors, and old hands of the north serves him well, a fact he continually and respectfully acknowledges.
Those who find fault with his language and thoughts about the Indians I think need a shift in perspective. This is the mid 1900's. The Civil Rights movement is nearly two decades away. The world hasn't yet been thrust into the age of politically correct language. Here, in the author's epoch, people still called a spade a spade and a jack a jack. Words were chosen for their utility, not for their safety. And yes, sometimes they were offensive, but more often than not they were true.
It is easier to be offended by the author's thoughts concerning the Indians. He leaves no doubt that he believes their reasoning to be slower and more primitive than the white man. To Morenus the workings of the nichi-nachi mind is almost always tit for tat. If an Indian sees a chance to gain more than he loses he will act. Otherwise, he will do nothing. There is no in-between.
It is easy to condemn the author. But what is easy is not always right. He had relationships with Indians, traded with them, spent time and energy learning what he could of their language. He journeyed far to the north, driven by curiosity and wonder, to see with his own eyes and meet a medicine man. He was taken advantage of and swindled, yet he still accorded those Indians he knew with the respect they had earned. Morenus was in awe of them, for their mastery of navigation, total self-reliance, and singular will. But his awe did nothing to obscure his negative experiences : they did not like white men and repressed their desire to learn new and more effective means of living.
I've spent long periods in the wilderness before, although nothing on this scale, and resonated strongly with many of the author's thoughts and self-discoveries. Labor does ward off weakness of mind and body. The analog clock is a pale shade of the four seasons, the true timekeeeper. And, lastly, when you're hard up in the rocks the surest way out is the way you cut yourself.
The pages of this book smell of Cedar boughs. All trace of man is hidden.
Thank you Richard.
A man of the city, with an over-stressed body and restless mind (the hidden staple of prolific writers), retreats to the idyll of nature in search of health and poise. What he expects is soothing existence in an unadulterated garden. What he finds is the opposite : a land that demands as ritual offering labor and sweat and sacrifice. And, paradoxically, this is the cure. To his weak body. To his anxious mind.
The land demands his complete devotion. And the author discovers this is the gift. A single misstep -- into the slush-ice of a not-quite-frozen lake or deep hole covered over by pine needles -- can mean death in the Canadian wilderness, and this threat of risk Morenus must balance with singularity of purpose. This is the 1940's in one the most remote areas of the planet. If tragedy strikes it is the individual it strikes who must bear it and beat it back. Or wind up like Buchanan, the trapper-trapped in his remote shack, or the victims of the deadly Packraft Lake.
To avoid this fate Morenus sets his will on "learning the bush." And he does. The knowledge he gleans from the local Indians, trappers, prospectors, and old hands of the north serves him well, a fact he continually and respectfully acknowledges.
Those who find fault with his language and thoughts about the Indians I think need a shift in perspective. This is the mid 1900's. The Civil Rights movement is nearly two decades away. The world hasn't yet been thrust into the age of politically correct language. Here, in the author's epoch, people still called a spade a spade and a jack a jack. Words were chosen for their utility, not for their safety. And yes, sometimes they were offensive, but more often than not they were true.
It is easier to be offended by the author's thoughts concerning the Indians. He leaves no doubt that he believes their reasoning to be slower and more primitive than the white man. To Morenus the workings of the nichi-nachi mind is almost always tit for tat. If an Indian sees a chance to gain more than he loses he will act. Otherwise, he will do nothing. There is no in-between.
It is easy to condemn the author. But what is easy is not always right. He had relationships with Indians, traded with them, spent time and energy learning what he could of their language. He journeyed far to the north, driven by curiosity and wonder, to see with his own eyes and meet a medicine man. He was taken advantage of and swindled, yet he still accorded those Indians he knew with the respect they had earned. Morenus was in awe of them, for their mastery of navigation, total self-reliance, and singular will. But his awe did nothing to obscure his negative experiences : they did not like white men and repressed their desire to learn new and more effective means of living.
I've spent long periods in the wilderness before, although nothing on this scale, and resonated strongly with many of the author's thoughts and self-discoveries. Labor does ward off weakness of mind and body. The analog clock is a pale shade of the four seasons, the true timekeeeper. And, lastly, when you're hard up in the rocks the surest way out is the way you cut yourself.
The pages of this book smell of Cedar boughs. All trace of man is hidden.
Thank you Richard.
June 2, 2021
Richard Morenus was a fraud. In his book, Crazy White Man, he describes himself as a New York businessman who took to the northern Ontario bush for six years – on his own – to shed his ulcers. His wife, Nan Dorland, a radio star from NYC (who was the one suffering from ulcers), is left completely out of the story. Nan was an equal partner – possibly more – in their shared wilderness experience. Before he published his book, Morenus published an article in Maclean’s magazine called “From Broadway to the Bush” (Sept. 1, 1946) in which he praises Nan’s contributions throughout. For example, when Richard asked Nan if she minded all the hard work, he quotes her as saying, “This is the bush, and I love it. This is fun. Now come on, we’ll just have time to get in the last of that red pine we sawed up. That mallard I shot is in the oven. We’re having it for supper, and can you get that on 6th Avenue?” He gushes, “What a gal!” https://princealberthistory.files.wor...
June 29, 2020
This is a very interesting book- as a time capsule. He is a man of his era so his language about the natives is way out of date, however he can also be very respectful when the recollection permits. As it is with basically every book that is written in another era, one must take it with a a bit of a chill pill, this is how almost everyone talked then, and it is not as bad as it easily could be!
The thing that bummed me out about this book is that after a little research I discovered that he was actually up there with his wife the entire time- but he writes it like he did it all alone. I think they separated afterwards and he wrote her out of the story. Her name was Nan Dorland, she sounds extraordinary. She died just after they separated I believe. I wish she had written a book, that is where the real story is... Here is an article in Macleans magazine from 1946:
https://archive.macleans.ca/article/1...
The thing that bummed me out about this book is that after a little research I discovered that he was actually up there with his wife the entire time- but he writes it like he did it all alone. I think they separated afterwards and he wrote her out of the story. Her name was Nan Dorland, she sounds extraordinary. She died just after they separated I believe. I wish she had written a book, that is where the real story is... Here is an article in Macleans magazine from 1946:
https://archive.macleans.ca/article/1...
October 9, 2022
New York writer of radio commercials leaves it all, sells his NY apartment and buys an island, sight unseen in frigid northern Canada loads up his car and takes off. He is a total green horn with no prior camping or wilderness, experience (hence the name that the local Indians give him and the book's title. He doesn't know what he doesn't know and quickly finds out that newly purchased 5th avenue wilderness wardrobe might look good but it wouldn't do the job. Other surprises include how to get from his island to the settlement with no boat when the ice is out or the ice isn't strong enough to hold his weight. And he quickly learns that the two seasons in his new home focus on preparing for winter and living through winter. This book chronicles his six years living on his island before deciding he was ready to return to civilization. I enjoyed the read, the characters, the writing and the adventures faced by our hero.
April 6, 2019
Cringe worthy in Places.
Maybe its the authors age, life experience or whatever that he uses derogatory names for the indigenous first nations people. There were good discriptions of land and learning lessons of the Bush. He did make friends with one native living near him and did seem to want to try to understand the cultural and you will notice at the end of the chapter he did call her the wife of instead of squaw. What's with the squaw, buck labeling?
His beating of the sled dogs with an axe handle was deplorable. He made the sled dogs to be monstrous wolf types.
But that being said, this is an honest book with nothing much held back about his experience, so take it as that. And since he has passed on I'll say as one other reviewer said RIP crazy white man.
Maybe its the authors age, life experience or whatever that he uses derogatory names for the indigenous first nations people. There were good discriptions of land and learning lessons of the Bush. He did make friends with one native living near him and did seem to want to try to understand the cultural and you will notice at the end of the chapter he did call her the wife of instead of squaw. What's with the squaw, buck labeling?
His beating of the sled dogs with an axe handle was deplorable. He made the sled dogs to be monstrous wolf types.
But that being said, this is an honest book with nothing much held back about his experience, so take it as that. And since he has passed on I'll say as one other reviewer said RIP crazy white man.
Read
February 6, 2021I got 75% of the way through and couldn't/didn't finish. The first half was interesting because he tells about learning to survive in the bush as a city person. Some readers take offense at the Indians being called 'buck and squaw' - I think that was just the terminology of the time. He certainly didn't seem racist to me.
What turned me off were all the mentions of trapping (snares, unbelievably cruel, as well as leg-hold traps) and the abuse of sled dogs. It was too brutal for me even though I know it was the times. And as well, after he got himself established, the interesting part, the next 50% were stories about other people and I had the feeling he just wanted to extend the book. They didn't have an authentic ring to them.
What turned me off were all the mentions of trapping (snares, unbelievably cruel, as well as leg-hold traps) and the abuse of sled dogs. It was too brutal for me even though I know it was the times. And as well, after he got himself established, the interesting part, the next 50% were stories about other people and I had the feeling he just wanted to extend the book. They didn't have an authentic ring to them.
March 19, 2019
Should Read: Smart White Man
Loved this store from beginning to end.I can relate in a similar way with being raised in the country and currently living in the city. All the little stories are entertaining with snippets of wisdom and advice for living in the wilderness. The author is a person I totally admire, and his modest accounts make him a very like able character. Typically people that don’t take themselves too seriously are pleasure to talk to and are strong in character. The canvas painted of the remote Canadian wilderness is a beauty. Great read for those that like gold prospecting, trapping, hunting and living off the grid.
Loved this store from beginning to end.I can relate in a similar way with being raised in the country and currently living in the city. All the little stories are entertaining with snippets of wisdom and advice for living in the wilderness. The author is a person I totally admire, and his modest accounts make him a very like able character. Typically people that don’t take themselves too seriously are pleasure to talk to and are strong in character. The canvas painted of the remote Canadian wilderness is a beauty. Great read for those that like gold prospecting, trapping, hunting and living off the grid.
November 15, 2019
Life in the Bush.
I very much enjoyed reading this book. The writer keeps things moving and takes off on related paths with shorts stories of other adventures and ties them back to his main story. He gives great insight as to how he and others live their everyday lives and the adventures they encounter along the way and the friendships they develop. They called him “The Crazy White man”, I think him the Crazy White Man for leaving the Bush. I wonder what his readjustment was like returning to “Civilization”.
I very much enjoyed reading this book. The writer keeps things moving and takes off on related paths with shorts stories of other adventures and ties them back to his main story. He gives great insight as to how he and others live their everyday lives and the adventures they encounter along the way and the friendships they develop. They called him “The Crazy White man”, I think him the Crazy White Man for leaving the Bush. I wonder what his readjustment was like returning to “Civilization”.
March 18, 2020
Enjoyable Escape into a World Some May Seek and others only Wonder
There's part in all of us that from time to we ask ourselves " What would it be like if? ". Well the author answered that call . What follows are his insights into the Bush of northern California and the Indian people who lived there.
For me it was an escape as if he took me with him to meet his eccentric friends, experience his long journeys over frozen and desolate tundra and lakes. I recommend you join him on your own armchair adventure and ask yourself " what If"....
There's part in all of us that from time to we ask ourselves " What would it be like if? ". Well the author answered that call . What follows are his insights into the Bush of northern California and the Indian people who lived there.
For me it was an escape as if he took me with him to meet his eccentric friends, experience his long journeys over frozen and desolate tundra and lakes. I recommend you join him on your own armchair adventure and ask yourself " what If"....
September 15, 2021
Are you interested in the wilderness? In what it takes to live in the wilderness? Especially that of the far north? Then this book will be of interest. Richard Morenus took six years of his life to live in the bush, alone, and learned much - this book tells how much. What struck me was that the book illustrates how much free-time we have for ourselves now, how little of our efforts are spent on the day to day efforts of survival. In my opinion, it's worth reading this just to understand how much easier our lives are than those of our ancestors.
February 15, 2019
quite an interesting read...I picked up an e-mailed copy on Amazon for $0.99 ... I was surprised to find out after getting half way through and checking back to the publishing information that it was from 1952, about as old as I am
anyhow, was the kind of stuff I like to read during the winter, about people successfully living in far colder and less comfortable climes than me
plus, the title seemed to fit with what I suspect is a common opinion others have about me
anyhow, was the kind of stuff I like to read during the winter, about people successfully living in far colder and less comfortable climes than me
plus, the title seemed to fit with what I suspect is a common opinion others have about me
March 18, 2019
Crazy As A Fox
In the classic Western, Red River, an old man tells a young one that one of the rare times in life when a man has earned the right to howl at the moon is when he has finished a job he was crazy to start. Coming out after spending six years in the Bush country of northern Canada, Richard Morenus had earned the right. His story is elegantly told, with just the right proportions of how-to frankness and poetry. Intriguing and highly recommended.
In the classic Western, Red River, an old man tells a young one that one of the rare times in life when a man has earned the right to howl at the moon is when he has finished a job he was crazy to start. Coming out after spending six years in the Bush country of northern Canada, Richard Morenus had earned the right. His story is elegantly told, with just the right proportions of how-to frankness and poetry. Intriguing and highly recommended.
September 4, 2019
This book was fascinating to me. It really made me want to go to the Bush and experience life like the author. It seemed his life really began thru his six years there. I highly recommend the as quite an enjoyable read.
I absolutely was fascinated by the authors journey and all he had learned and experienced. I recommend this book to anyone who would like a factual account wilderness living.
I absolutely was fascinated by the authors journey and all he had learned and experienced. I recommend this book to anyone who would like a factual account wilderness living.
September 29, 2021
Going north
Always wanted to go to the bush like Jeremiah Johnson I never followed up no I taking a trip with the author of this book I live down an island out in the middle of the Detroit river I was a caretaker for a dradging company Can I woods been winners out there too Only get across with the boat And the motor to start at the end of the ice It's quite the experience Thanks for your Experiences
Always wanted to go to the bush like Jeremiah Johnson I never followed up no I taking a trip with the author of this book I live down an island out in the middle of the Detroit river I was a caretaker for a dradging company Can I woods been winners out there too Only get across with the boat And the motor to start at the end of the ice It's quite the experience Thanks for your Experiences
March 20, 2019
Wonderful Story
Mr. Loren shares his gift that brings alive surviving, adapting, and thriving in primitive conditions. He allow us to enjoy up close the portraits of the colorful characters that taught him so much. I truly enjoyed this book. I am jealous I never had the stamina, fortitude and physical strength to just leave civilization and learn about myself.
Mr. Loren shares his gift that brings alive surviving, adapting, and thriving in primitive conditions. He allow us to enjoy up close the portraits of the colorful characters that taught him so much. I truly enjoyed this book. I am jealous I never had the stamina, fortitude and physical strength to just leave civilization and learn about myself.
June 10, 2019
Very good.
An interesting story of a man from a big city who moves to the Northern wilderness. He slowly learns the ways of the bush. He wants to write a book about his adventures of 6 years living there, but has no time. So, he decides to...... Read the book and find out what he decides. Enjoy!!
An interesting story of a man from a big city who moves to the Northern wilderness. He slowly learns the ways of the bush. He wants to write a book about his adventures of 6 years living there, but has no time. So, he decides to...... Read the book and find out what he decides. Enjoy!!
July 14, 2019
Good read
I enjoy tales of wilderness living. This was a very comfortable read. By a real person and told with reference to a time of change in the wilderness. There is a blend of frontier ism, of developing economic exploitation and yet the tailing of innocence of the early 50's.
I enjoy tales of wilderness living. This was a very comfortable read. By a real person and told with reference to a time of change in the wilderness. There is a blend of frontier ism, of developing economic exploitation and yet the tailing of innocence of the early 50's.
August 18, 2019
Excellent read
Fascinated with the book and every moment of free time I was. It became a frequent topic of discussion with my friends, and it did not take their curiosity was aroused and will also get the book. It gave a lot to think about and to evaluate what is more important in life. A good book to read and I highly recommend it.
Fascinated with the book and every moment of free time I was. It became a frequent topic of discussion with my friends, and it did not take their curiosity was aroused and will also get the book. It gave a lot to think about and to evaluate what is more important in life. A good book to read and I highly recommend it.
December 13, 2019
Very interesting
Interesting read because of the period of time it was written. Coming from the author were his feeling of the world and what a lot of people believed at that time.
Clear and well told of a time and place and activities in a place sounding so foreign now in 2019. Through Google maps it's interesting to look at this area now.
Interesting read because of the period of time it was written. Coming from the author were his feeling of the world and what a lot of people believed at that time.
Clear and well told of a time and place and activities in a place sounding so foreign now in 2019. Through Google maps it's interesting to look at this area now.
March 2, 2019
Wonderful read for those who love the outdoors.
I could feel the cold, hear the sounds of critters that did not want to be seen and understood the bond of those that want to challenge something larger than themselves.
I could feel the cold, hear the sounds of critters that did not want to be seen and understood the bond of those that want to challenge something larger than themselves.
March 21, 2019
Very appealing and well written.
You felt like you were seeing the wilderness through his eyes. Fascinating stories of others in the wilderness. A story you want to keep going on and on.
You felt like you were seeing the wilderness through his eyes. Fascinating stories of others in the wilderness. A story you want to keep going on and on.
March 30, 2019
Homesteading in the north woods
You have to love the lessons learned by a tender foot who learned everything the hard way. But you also have to admire his resolve to do it. Great info on living life the way our ancestors lived.
You have to love the lessons learned by a tender foot who learned everything the hard way. But you also have to admire his resolve to do it. Great info on living life the way our ancestors lived.
April 5, 2019
Good read
As I spent many years in Alaska, the descriptions of the weather conditions brought me back home again. I could smell the snow the forest, see the rugged beauty of that great north country! Well written!
As I spent many years in Alaska, the descriptions of the weather conditions brought me back home again. I could smell the snow the forest, see the rugged beauty of that great north country! Well written!
April 11, 2019
Worthwhile read
A straight-out forward and easy to read account of surviving and thriving in rugged elements. The insight into the lives of natives in the Canadian bush is respectful and interesting.
A straight-out forward and easy to read account of surviving and thriving in rugged elements. The insight into the lives of natives in the Canadian bush is respectful and interesting.
May 2, 2019
Really interesting 60+ year-old account of a man who moved to from NYC to Canada to live in the wild. I'd recommend for anyone who loves adventure and wilderness stories. Several LOL moments for me.
May 5, 2019
Mandatory reading for bush. Lovers
Either he has a magnificent imagination or I,m just as crazy as he. Thoroughly e enjoyed every page and don,t know enough about the subject to be anything other than. Fascinated.
Either he has a magnificent imagination or I,m just as crazy as he. Thoroughly e enjoyed every page and don,t know enough about the subject to be anything other than. Fascinated.
May 11, 2019
Fascinating story.
The author is a talented writer who almost never gets wound up in his own prose, maintaining a pace half way between the next wilderness challenge and mining, no pun intended, the vast collections of local legend.
The author is a talented writer who almost never gets wound up in his own prose, maintaining a pace half way between the next wilderness challenge and mining, no pun intended, the vast collections of local legend.
June 15, 2019
White man crazy for the Canadian Bush
A New Yorker becomes an accomplished Bushman by diving in to the deep end. He thought that it would be easy and relaxing but it turns out to be hard work and a struggle for survival.
A New Yorker becomes an accomplished Bushman by diving in to the deep end. He thought that it would be easy and relaxing but it turns out to be hard work and a struggle for survival.
August 4, 2019
Amazing White Man
I can't imagine any other person that I know going into the bush with no prior experience and succeed in living there for 6 years. I would love to know how long it took him to get used to civilization again.
I can't imagine any other person that I know going into the bush with no prior experience and succeed in living there for 6 years. I would love to know how long it took him to get used to civilization again.
September 9, 2019
A. City man learns about himself
I was able relate to much of the story. I have spent much of my youth in the outdoors. I enjoyed his innocence of the wilderness and his growing relationships with those he interfaced with.
GREAT BOOK!
I was able relate to much of the story. I have spent much of my youth in the outdoors. I enjoyed his innocence of the wilderness and his growing relationships with those he interfaced with.
GREAT BOOK!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews