How To Build A Tin Canoe

By: Robb White

Narrated by: Robb White

While still a young boy, Robb White built his first boat, hewn from the tin roof of an abandoned chicken coop in the backyard, stamping and primping it into shape, then testing it out in the back creek.

White knows everything there is to know about getting on the water and staying there as long as you possibly can. Today, without any formal training, White constructs some of the most sought-after wooden boats around.

In How to Build a Tin Canoe, this Southern raconteur and self-taught, expert wooden-boat builder offers a wryly humorous journey through a life lived on the water and the lessons learned along the way. These include how to make a canoe from the tin roof of a chicken coop, how to survive rampaging monkeys, and how to get a turtle to stop eating your boat. In chapters such as "Seagull: in which I learn not to be so gullible" and "The Canned Ham Incident: in which I did not participate, so hurrah for the other side," White recounts tall tales of a childhood spent exploring the Gulf of Mexico and of growing up, or not really growing up, to share his accrued wisdom with others.

For lovers of fishing, boating, and great storytelling in the tradition of Garrison Keillor, Roy Blount, Jr., and Bailey White (the author's sister), Robb White's How to Build a Tin Canoe is wise and laugh-out-loud funny to the point of tears. It seems a shame to tear a man away from a life so idyllic, but Robb White's days of hiding out on the water are over. How to Build a Tin Canoe is destined to become a classic.

©2003 Robb White (P)2005 Blackstone Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"A graceful primer on life and how to sail through it with character, easy grace, and personal priorities all in a row." (Kirkus Reviews)

Boat Geek

As a Yankee who was trapped in a small Georgia town for 15 years, I've known the power of southern story tellers. The narrative was great until it went the direction of "boat geek". I know nothing about boats, mind you. Even less after suffering through the enormous descriptions of boats and motors in this ditty.

Still, the author redeemed the book with his clever style and wordsmithing. I've never heard his equal. There are boatloads of southern aphorisms and nearly none made it into this book. Rather, it is a collection of fresh charms destined to make their own way.

What fun

A truly fascinating and enjoyable book especially because it is read by the author who injects his own charm and wit into every story. He captures the joys of eccentricity, the charm of the south and the magic of the seashore. I'm hoping for volume 2!

Just finished this yesterday

I listen to audible in the car mostly back and forth to work. This is one book that caused me to linger a while in the parking lot and driveway. I really enjoyed it.

take a pass

Its like listening to Grandpa Simpson go on and on about how much life was better back in the good 'ole days. I am an avid outdoorsman and kayaker and thought this book might have some good insight but couldnt find any. It was like hanging around at a senior center and listening to old folks complain. Save time and money and skip this one....