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Dirty Shirt: A Boundary Waters Memoir
Jim Landwehr and his brothers pursue their love of the outdoors by tackling some of the country's most remote terrain, the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. While encountering crazed loons, widow-making portages, and temperamental automobiles, they also discover more about each other and their long deceased father. In recent years, with a desire to instill their love of the area into their own children, they include them in their voyages, and the legacy continues. Their exploits are woven throughout with humor, emotion, and warmth.
- GenresNonfictionNatureMemoir
243 pages, Paperback
First published June 16, 2014
11 people are currently reading
48 people want to read
About the author
Jim Landwehr
25 books22 followersBiography:
Jim has four published memoirs, At the Lake, Cretin Boy, Dirty Shirt: A Boundary Waters Memoir and The Portland House: A '70s Memoir. Jim also has six poetry collections, Tea in the Pacific Northwest, Thoughts from a Line at the DMV, Genetically Speaking, Reciting from Memory, Written Life, and On a Road.
His non-fiction stories have been published in Main Street Rag, The Sun Magazine, Story News, and others. His poetry has been featured in Rosebud Magazine, Portage Magazine, The Orchards Poetry Journal, and many others.
Jim was the 2018-2019 poet laureate for the Village of Wales, Wisconsin and served as the nonfiction judge for the Jade Ring contest for the Wisconsin Writers Association in 2019. For more on his writing, visit: https://sites.google.com/view/jimland...
Jim has four published memoirs, At the Lake, Cretin Boy, Dirty Shirt: A Boundary Waters Memoir and The Portland House: A '70s Memoir. Jim also has six poetry collections, Tea in the Pacific Northwest, Thoughts from a Line at the DMV, Genetically Speaking, Reciting from Memory, Written Life, and On a Road.
His non-fiction stories have been published in Main Street Rag, The Sun Magazine, Story News, and others. His poetry has been featured in Rosebud Magazine, Portage Magazine, The Orchards Poetry Journal, and many others.
Jim was the 2018-2019 poet laureate for the Village of Wales, Wisconsin and served as the nonfiction judge for the Jade Ring contest for the Wisconsin Writers Association in 2019. For more on his writing, visit: https://sites.google.com/view/jimland...
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
August 9, 2014
First of all, I need to make a disclaimer in regards to this wonderful book: the author is my brother-in-law. That said, even if he wasn't, I would still rate this debut memoir at 5 stars. I just count myself lucky that I could actually 'hear' Jim's voice in my head as I read this - and I know a majority of the people he writes about too. What a terrific read. I chuckled to myself, I laughed out loud... and I cried, especially when it came to Jim talking about his brother Rob (truly an amazing guy) and camping with my niece and nephew. There are so many heartfelt, touching moments here, and so many lessons learned and shared. I'm certainly not a camper or fisherman by any stretch of the imagination, but Jim has a fantastic narrative style that made it all comprehensive, interesting, and friendly - I loved reading about all of his camping adventures! I wanted to hear more! (Note to self: prod Jim for more fun camping stories...) I think any reader will take many valuable lessons from this book - perhaps the most important being to live life to its fullest. Savor those ties and bonds that keep family together. Life is so short. Create new memories... Pass them on. Never take life for granted. Just so much here. Thank you for sharing this, Jim. Again, even if I were not family - I would strongly encourage readers (and particularly memoir fans) to read this warm, engaging book. You will love it!
March 12, 2015
I'm not a huge fan of the memoir genre, but this one drew me in fast and got very hard to put down. I appreciate the prose, with Landwehr's quirky, humorous way of looking at the details.
A bit more dialogue likely would have balanced the narrative and improved flow somewhat, but the inspirational component of the story more than made up for this small prosaic weakness. In addition to frequent laughs, Dirty Shirt has some powerful, teary-eyed moments and a few goosebumps as well.
A bit more dialogue likely would have balanced the narrative and improved flow somewhat, but the inspirational component of the story more than made up for this small prosaic weakness. In addition to frequent laughs, Dirty Shirt has some powerful, teary-eyed moments and a few goosebumps as well.
May 25, 2016
I found this to be a very enjoyable read. Jim Landwehr allows the reader access into his history of vacations taken in the boundary waters. This is a full-circle memoir about trips taken in this very remote location by the author, initially with friends, seemingly invincible, able-bodied, though ill-equipped and inexperienced youngsters, to later trips with friends and beloved family members after gaining experience and with better equipment, all set against a backdrop of nature, with all the discomforts and beauty that nature provides in a remote setting. I felt as if I was taking those trips with them and experiencing all of the ups and downs, from the anticipation of a life-changing vacation to the horrible blood-sucking insects or the cold, rain and lost gear, to the joy of catching a big fish for dinner and the blessings in making memories with family and friends that last a lifetime. The epilogue was a meaningful and very touching letter written by the author's sister that brought me to tears and made me feel grateful that the author had included it, as it gave such great personal meaning to this memoir.
August 19, 2014
Just finished my new friend Jim Landwehr's memoir. It is not the type of book I normally read but I quite enjoyed it. Picturing Jim and his wife and kids when they appear was a real treat and made the story even more personal and enjoyable. Thanks for writing this wonderful book and allowing us into your mind and memory.
December 8, 2014
DIRTY SHIRT a boundary waters memoir
Reviewed by Robert Goswitz, author of The Last Man in Vietnam, a novel as yet unrepresented
My childhood in Wisconsin included listening to my dad and his friends tell stories about their adventures Upnorth. As more brandy was poured the tales became taller, evolving over time into a mythology enhanced at each retelling. Upnorth was a place where men were manlier. Fish in the lakes and deer in the woods feared their arrival.
Jim Landwehr graduated from high school in Minneapolis seeking adventure. When he and his high school buddies headed for the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA), along the Minnesota-Canadian Border, the first chapter of Dirty Shirt a boundary waters memoir, was born.
Young men make great mistakes. Jim’s describes plunging through a frothing whitewater rapids as a synchronized-near drowning. Enduring hardships with his buddies was the adventure Jim was looking for. He now had tales to tell and his own Upnorth map drawn.
Hardship wasn’t a new thing for Jim. His father died when he was five, leaving a widow and seven kids. Jim’s memories of his father were few but he did know that he enjoyed canoeing and fishing the BWCA. So when he and his three brothers take off on a boundary waters canoe trip the page becomes laden with a sweet nostalgia. The sequence of trips taken by the brothers were a memorium to the dad they never knew, a subconscious attempt to rekindle dad’s spirit by retracing his steps.
As time passes and the trips continue the reader gains a view of Jim as a brother, a husband and a father.
What begins as a canoe adventure, becomes a heartwarming family narrative that I recommend to all.
Reviewed by Robert Goswitz, author of The Last Man in Vietnam, a novel as yet unrepresented
My childhood in Wisconsin included listening to my dad and his friends tell stories about their adventures Upnorth. As more brandy was poured the tales became taller, evolving over time into a mythology enhanced at each retelling. Upnorth was a place where men were manlier. Fish in the lakes and deer in the woods feared their arrival.
Jim Landwehr graduated from high school in Minneapolis seeking adventure. When he and his high school buddies headed for the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA), along the Minnesota-Canadian Border, the first chapter of Dirty Shirt a boundary waters memoir, was born.
Young men make great mistakes. Jim’s describes plunging through a frothing whitewater rapids as a synchronized-near drowning. Enduring hardships with his buddies was the adventure Jim was looking for. He now had tales to tell and his own Upnorth map drawn.
Hardship wasn’t a new thing for Jim. His father died when he was five, leaving a widow and seven kids. Jim’s memories of his father were few but he did know that he enjoyed canoeing and fishing the BWCA. So when he and his three brothers take off on a boundary waters canoe trip the page becomes laden with a sweet nostalgia. The sequence of trips taken by the brothers were a memorium to the dad they never knew, a subconscious attempt to rekindle dad’s spirit by retracing his steps.
As time passes and the trips continue the reader gains a view of Jim as a brother, a husband and a father.
What begins as a canoe adventure, becomes a heartwarming family narrative that I recommend to all.
August 16, 2014
*I received this book for review from the author, this in no way affects my thoughts as expressed in this review*
So, as you all know, I'm a big fan of memoirs. So, I was really excited to dive right into Jim Landwehr's story and I'm happy to report I was not disappointed.
I absolutely loved reading all about the adventures in this book. I found every page to be both heartfelt and also kind of humorous. Jim has one of those personalities, the ones where I'm sure in person you could just sit and listen to him talk all day and he has just the right talent with the written word that that same personality flows across the page. It makes you sit and read all day, as if you are standing there listening to him tell you his stories. I do so hope that Mr Landwehr continues to write more books after this memoir because I would love to hear more of his story, or to see how how well he can craft a work of fiction. From what I saw in this book, I feel like he would be great at it! I highly recommend this book for lover of memoirs and laugh-out-loud yet heart filled stories in general!
So, as you all know, I'm a big fan of memoirs. So, I was really excited to dive right into Jim Landwehr's story and I'm happy to report I was not disappointed.
I absolutely loved reading all about the adventures in this book. I found every page to be both heartfelt and also kind of humorous. Jim has one of those personalities, the ones where I'm sure in person you could just sit and listen to him talk all day and he has just the right talent with the written word that that same personality flows across the page. It makes you sit and read all day, as if you are standing there listening to him tell you his stories. I do so hope that Mr Landwehr continues to write more books after this memoir because I would love to hear more of his story, or to see how how well he can craft a work of fiction. From what I saw in this book, I feel like he would be great at it! I highly recommend this book for lover of memoirs and laugh-out-loud yet heart filled stories in general!
October 1, 2014
Dirty Shirt: A Boundary Waters Memoir is a book that needed to be written, and needs to be read.
I read the book in short increments of time, usually while nursing a newborn and having interruptions from my other kids. The book made me feel at times that I was not in my home, but rather having adventures at the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Although I’ve never visited the area, I feel as though I know it now.
Dirty Shirt made me laugh at times, made me tear up at times, and even had me feeling a little queasy after reading about some spoiled meat during one of the author’s early excursions. It’s very well written, easy to read, easy to get lost in and never dull.
Ultimately, what I took away from this book, is to always remember what gifts we have from our creator. I’m reminded after reading of Jim’s experience of my own with nature, with my family, with my friends. I thank you, Jim, for that. What an awesome read and tale of the human experience.
I read the book in short increments of time, usually while nursing a newborn and having interruptions from my other kids. The book made me feel at times that I was not in my home, but rather having adventures at the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Although I’ve never visited the area, I feel as though I know it now.
Dirty Shirt made me laugh at times, made me tear up at times, and even had me feeling a little queasy after reading about some spoiled meat during one of the author’s early excursions. It’s very well written, easy to read, easy to get lost in and never dull.
Ultimately, what I took away from this book, is to always remember what gifts we have from our creator. I’m reminded after reading of Jim’s experience of my own with nature, with my family, with my friends. I thank you, Jim, for that. What an awesome read and tale of the human experience.
December 31, 2014
I am not one that reads for enjoyment. After receiving this book as a Christmas gift, I spent a few early morning hours reading “Dirty Shirt” written by my cousin Jim Landwehr. I travel back through the my cousin's family history which seem to be the catalyst that lead to the BWCA trips. Jim's description of the BWCA made me think about my own BWCA experience as a young adult. “Dirty Shirt” also walks readers through some of life’s easy and tough portages that eventually lead to the open water of tranquility found in the deep wilderness of the BWCA. Jim Landwher revisits his childhood and summer canoe trips to the wilderness areas of BWCA learning life lessons with his brothers and friends.
September 6, 2014
This book is one everyone must read. Even if your typical book isn't one of the great outdoors and the many trials that may come with it. It not only is written in such a way that makes it an easy read, it is also hard to put down.
The author has a beautiful way of telling his story and expressing the life lessons he learns along the way.
The best part of course is knowing the author and being able to hear him tell me his story. I will be rereading this book for many years to come.
The author has a beautiful way of telling his story and expressing the life lessons he learns along the way.
The best part of course is knowing the author and being able to hear him tell me his story. I will be rereading this book for many years to come.
July 13, 2014
Dirty Shirt is a funny and heartfelt collection of life experiences, all tied together by the mystery and beauty of the Boundary Waters. If you like camping, fishing, family and a pleasant touch of nostalgia, you'll enjoy this read.
March 16, 2015
I felt like I was camping in the woods every time I opened this book. It's full of entertaining and heartwarming stories about friendship, family, fishing, canoeing, and camping. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
April 19, 2016
Reading this book gave me an insatiable desire to visit the Boundary Waters area! Jim Landwehr is a thoroughly entertaining and convincing author. I felt like I was right there camping and canoeing with the others. The book often had a fun and quirky Patrick McManus feel. Great read!
March 22, 2021
A great story about a great area.
April 9, 2019
Fantastic read celebrating family tradition, love, laughter, and loss in the great outdoors
I absolutely loved this book! The author does a fantastic job of reliving and sharing some of his fondest memories over several years with his brothers in the great BWCA. The story also tells of many adventurers that they experienced there as their families grew. Some funny and some bittersweet, but all truly engaging and very well written. Of course there are also big fish stories and funny portaging tales to boot! A wonderful follow-up to another book by Jim Landwehr, Portland House...
I absolutely loved this book! The author does a fantastic job of reliving and sharing some of his fondest memories over several years with his brothers in the great BWCA. The story also tells of many adventurers that they experienced there as their families grew. Some funny and some bittersweet, but all truly engaging and very well written. Of course there are also big fish stories and funny portaging tales to boot! A wonderful follow-up to another book by Jim Landwehr, Portland House...
November 17, 2024
I am a Boundary Water lover. My husband and I spend 2 weeks there every summer and another week there in the fall. I thought it would be fun to read about other’s experiences.
It was not.
These stories, as precious as they are to the people involved, were wildly uninteresting to the general reader. Mundane detail and ‘mishaps’ that are just part of being in the wilderness. Really? A whole chapter about wet boots?
Hard to finish I’m afraid. So glad the author enjoys those memories. Indeed, some of my best memories are in that wild place. But these stories are best told around the campfire.
It was not.
These stories, as precious as they are to the people involved, were wildly uninteresting to the general reader. Mundane detail and ‘mishaps’ that are just part of being in the wilderness. Really? A whole chapter about wet boots?
Hard to finish I’m afraid. So glad the author enjoys those memories. Indeed, some of my best memories are in that wild place. But these stories are best told around the campfire.
February 14, 2019
I liked this book a great deal, but it speaks best in my view to those who have also spent time in the BWCAW. For those who’ve not made it to this magical place, the book does give humorous accounts of what the experience of a canoe trip in the Northwoods is like.
September 5, 2024
A fun nostalgic read about travels through the BWCA. While I never got to the Boundary Waters, It brought me back my youthful days canoeing the Wisconsin River (with a cooler of Leinenkugels) and camping out on sand bars. Loved it!
November 11, 2018
This book was written by a local author, he lives about ten miles from me. I enjoyed his book.
December 2, 2024
A very enjoyable memoir about brothers visiting Boundary Waters many times, coming full circle from teens to parents bringing their own children. The narrative is suffused with the hijinks, sibling rivalry, and the warmth of family. Camping and canoeing mistakes are hilarious, and the heart of the book is a deep love of both the wilderness and family.
July 16, 2016
If you have ever been to the BWCAW you will enjoy this book. His descriptions of the experience mirror those of my own.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews