The Log Cabin: An Adventure in Self-Reliance, Individualism, and Cabin Building

by Len McDougall

Almost every man (women are saner) dreams, at least once in his life, of getting away from it all, deep into the woods, and going it alone. Expert tracker and woodsman Len McDougall shows us the way in THE LOG CABIN .
In the Spring of 2001, Len packed a grubstake and a couple of loads of handtools, and went deep into the North Woods. Using only the materials available on site and what he could carry in on foot, he pitched a tent to tide him over until the roof was up. Then he cut a few trees, built his own cabin, dug his own well, and lived a year in splendid isolation before returning to the hubbub and pleasures of Petoskey, Michigan. He had no phone, no electricity, no computer, no distractions of civilization--not even a radio (until he dragged in a car battery to power one). An inspiring narrative of self-reliance redolent with a rugged individualism that hasn't yet entirely vanished from the fabric of American life, suffused with a deep love for nature and its creatures, THE LOG CABIN is both the journal of that adventure and a great reference for building your own retreat.

208 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2003

About the author

Len McDougall is a full-time outdoor writer, professional photographer, and illustrator with more than thirty years’ experience in the North Woods. His books include Tracking and Reading Sign, The Complete Tracker, Practical Outdoor Survival and The Self-Reliance Manifesto. He lives in Paradise, Michigan.

Reviews

[Austin Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unreal book. The knowledge Len has and his ability to portray it in simplest terms is unbelievable. Not to mention he is just a simple dude living nearly every person homesteading dream. Then to top it all off he gets drunk by himself in the woods to bid his cabin goodbye. Perhaps my new favorite book of all time

[Brena Chan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Follows a man who goes into the Michigan wilderness to see if the modern man can still make it on the frontier. Interesting enough read for a story that takes place with the protagonist being by himself for most of the time.

[James B · Rating 5 out of 5]

A dream not unlike my own.