The Starship and the Canoe

By: Kenneth Brower, Neal Stephenson - Foreword

Narrated by: David de Vries

Originally published in 1978, The Starship and the Canoe is the remarkable story of a father and son: Freeman Dyson is a world-renowned astrophysicist who dreams of exploring the heavens and has designed a spaceship to take him there. His son, George, a brilliant high-school dropout, lives in a tree house and is designing a giant kayak to explore the icy coastal wilderness of the Pacific Northwest and Alaska. Author Kenneth Brower describes with stunning impact their lives and their visions of the world. It is a timeless tale framed by modern science, adventure, family, and the natural world.

©1978 Kenneth Brower; Foreword copyright 2020 by Neal Stephenson (P)2020 Tantor

Critic reviews

“In the tradition of Carl Sagan and John McPhee, a bracing cerebral voyage past intergalactic hoopla and backwoods retreats.” (Kirkus Reviews)

Excellent Story - Captivating, Poignant, Educational

My father recommended this book to me. He had read it when he was a kid in the 80’s I suppose. Freeman Dyson died earlier this year, in February. So now is as good a time as any to become reacquainted with the tantalizing, inspiring father-son duo, Freeman and George. I highly recommend the book. One of those stories that has kept its firing power over the decades. I might even suggest that it has become even more relevant to the society of today. Best of luck on your own journeys through your respective cosmos.

A special little secret gem of a book

Absolutely loved this story: a beautiful story about curiosity, genius and adventuring in the sea and in the stars