Bark Canoes by John Jennings, Tappan Adney (2004)

Edwin Tappan Adney spent a lifetime preserving the history and culture of Native American bark canoes by making authentic scale models. However, most of them got put away in a museum basement, languishing out of sight. Recently restored and cleaned up, they have been brought to light for millions to enjoy through the beautiful photography and succinct descriptions in John Jennings' fabulous book. The bark canoe was for centuries the mainstay of transportation across North America, long before railroads and highways. This is a book which belongs in every library, and is a delight for any coffee table. A tribute not only to Adney, but to our Native brethren who created these watercraft and traveled the continent's streams and lakes much more in tune with the environment than we are today. A marvelous survey of the different tribal styles and construction methods from coast to coast.