Boundary Waters: The Grace of the Wild

by Paul Gruchow

“Gruchow is an ideal guide to the BWCA.” — ISTHMUS BOOKS QUARTERLY Organized by the seasons of the year, Boundary Waters explores the natural and soul-sustaining beauty of the largest roadless area east of the Rocky the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, a vast network of forest and thousands of lakes, isolated and pristine, straddling the border between northern Minnesota and Ontario. Throughout Boundary Waters , Paul Gruchow skis, backpacks, and canoes through the Boundary Waters and its environs, including Sea Gull Lake, Isle Royale National Park, the Grand Portage Trail, Quetico Provincial Park (Canada), and Voyageurs National Park. Drawing on the works of Thoreau and Wendell Berry, Gruchow turns his naturalist’s eye on this wilderness full of wolves, moose, and loons, contemplating the richness of our natural heritage and our need to share its treasures with others. Boundary Waters is a testament to Gruchow’s magnificent ability to explores the relationship of person to place, illuminating not only our lands, but our souls.

Genres: Nature, Nonfiction, Travel

232 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

Paul Gruchow was an American author, editor, and conservationist from Minnesota. A student of poet John Berryman, he is well known for his strong support of rural communities.

Gruchow died by suicide soon after completing the first draft of a book about depression. In memory of his literary contributions, an annual Paul Gruchow Essay Contest is conducted by Writers Rising Up to Defend Place, Natural Habitat and Wetlands through the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.

Reviews

[Ken · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grouchow helps us to touch the essence of nature through his words.

[Sev-o · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gruchow is a gifted writer who has ben compared to Thoreau by critics with good reason. Through essays arranged by season he describes escapades in the border country between Minnesota and Onterio with a seasoned naturalists perspective.

His narratives bring the reader along on his journys while he explores the value of wild areas with captavating arguments for the need to preserve such areas for the well being of one's soul and for the well being of human kind. His acounts of his explorations are strikingly honest; he is not afraid to devulge insecurities and difficulties he has faced when heading out alone in these areas where a lack of respect can place one at great risk and at the mercy of the elemnets.

His lack arrogance puts him on the same level as anyone who would take such trips and quells insecurities that any would-be wilderness traveler may have.

After reading "Boudary Waters - Grace of the Wild" a solo trip into this area becomes a very desirable physical and spiritual challenge you will consider.

[Jon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book, I was looking for more of a description of the actual camping/canoing, etc. When he got a bit philosophical, I found myself skimming ahead. Then again, I couldn't ever get through Walden, either.

[Tamira]

This was a beautiful book. It was well written. Must confess that I was looking for a bit more practical information before my trip. However, after having returned from a two adventure, the book was very spot on.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantastic book from a Minnesota author. If you've paddled or camped any portion of the BWCA, you'll enjoy this.

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it! Mystery and thriller, kept me on my toes. I lived in Minnesota for 15 years so it was fun to read about familiar places UpNorth :)

[Milkweed Editions]

Minnesota Book Awards John Flanagan Prize

[Steve Voiles · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good addition to wilderness reading. Gruchow's gentle personality and good sense permeates his work.
If you like the philosophy and psychology of interacting with nature, you will find some gems worth underlining or copying in this volume. I particularly liked his meditation upon "efficiency" and "profit" traced from the early days of America to the altered connotations we bring to those words in our urban, business-ruled associations for today's technological world. Language traces our psychology ...

[Tom Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gruchow again succeeds with a reverance and natural experience of the BWCA and Isle Royale

[Kate Thorne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Made me feel more like myself. Loved the beautiful writing and the philosophy. Definitely one I hope to return to.

[Deb W · Rating 5 out of 5]

I simply loved it. I loved it so much that I have searched for all the nature books at my library and added them to my read list.

[Jen Duster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful! Just beautiful!

[Tim Charest · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author had a beautiful and special way of looking at the natural world.

[Leah Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this book was like sitting talking to a good friend. Maybe it was because I've been to all the places he talked about, or maybe it was good writing with excellent points. I absolutely loved this book.