Up a Creek, with a Paddle: Tales of Canoeing and Life

by James W. Loewen

Up a Creek, With a Paddle is an intimate and often humorous memoir by the author of Lies My Teacher Told Me , James W. Loewen, who holds the distinction of being the best-selling living sociologist today. Rivers are good metaphors for life, and paddling for living. In this little book, Loewen skillfully makes these connections without sermonizing, resulting in nuggets of wisdom about how to live, how to act meaningfully, and perhaps how to die. Loewen also returns to his life’s work and gently addresses the origins of racism and inequality, the theory of history, and the ties between the two. But mostly, as in his life, he finds rueful humor in every canoeing debacle—and he has had many!

Genres: Nonfiction

176 pages, Paperback

Published September 1, 2020

About the author

A professor of sociology, James W. Loewen earned his bachelor's degree at Carleton College in 1964, and his master's (1967) and doctorate (1968) degrees from Harvard University. Loewen taught at Touglaloo College from 1968 until 1975, and at the University of Vermont from 1975 until his retirement as professor emeritus in 1995.

Reviews

[Ben · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up this book because I love canoeing but it led to so much more. Like a good canoe trip, the day goes by with laughter, action, and deep conversations on the water.

That's exactly how I felt reading chapter after chapter of this book. I related to some of his stories working at a Boy Scout canoe base as I had done the same for a few summers but I can only hope to relate to his honest look at history and drive for change throughout his life.

This is one book that I know I will read again and recommend to everyone.

[Jackie Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A friend of mine, who I share of love of paddling and all things water with, lent me this book to read. It took me a while to get around to it, but I'm so glad I did. Memoirs are always one of my favorite genres to read. Loewen's memoir is incredibly intimate and personal. Written after receiving a terminal cancer diagnosis, "Up a Creek, with a Paddle" feels like Loewen's parting gift to his children, grandchildren, and all those who were moved by his work as a sociologist throughout his career. In its pages, Loewen is alive even though he's since passed. It seems like the best parts of him are entombed in this novel - his love of paddling, his well-researched insights parts of U.S. history we try to forget or stubbornly choose to misremember, and his wisdom, collected over nearly eight decades of life.

I knew nothing about Loewen going into this novel other than that we shared a love of paddling, but after finishing the memoir, I feel saddened at his passing. His perspective on many of the challenges facing our country was so well-reasoned but also so hopeful. I wish I could read his thoughts on what's going on in the U.S. in 2025. I look forward to reading some of his other works, such as Sundown Towns and Lies My Teacher Told Me, to hopefully learn more from his writings.

My only critique, as others have noted, is the abrupt shifting of focus from paddling stories to essays on antiracism or Reconstruction. I enjoyed both types of chapters, especially since they seem to encapsulate Loewen so well, but for the uninitiated reader who knew neither Loewen or his career as sociologist the juxtaposition can often seem quite harsh.

[Sophia Leiker · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book wasn’t exactly what I expected given it was a memoir about an author I didn’t know. Mix of sociology anecdotes in the form of social justice, racism tied to “sundown” towns (a topic of his previous book), a deep dive into misrepresentation of history taught in the south/Mississippi (another topic of his previous book), which was contrasted with story’s of his adventures canoeing whitewater rapids.

I saw how he was trying to weave the two topics together in retelling his story, but in some cases it just felt a little weird to be reading about intense racism followed by a story of the author taking a previous girlfriend on a canoe trip that went south.

I did enjoy the stories in the water as it took me back to my rafting days, but it just felt like it was a tough contrast to the seriousness of the social topics at hand.

The one interesting anecdote that stood with me was his description of Sasha and Zamani “Sasha and Zamani are two aspects of time as expressed in some Eastern and Central African cultures. Sasha are those remembered by someone still alive, while Zamani are ancestors far beyond the memory of anyone currently alive.”

[Ryan Glaspell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book in a mystery box. I had not read any of Mr. Loewen’s work, but managed to read through and enjoy his memoir with ease. While I have no experience (or particular interest) in canoeing, I have the utmost reverence for Loewen to pen this while awaiting the end to his deadly prognosis. While the memoir occasionally felt mundane, by the end I was moved and enlightened on multiple fronts.

[Daniel Farabaugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in one sitting and it is heart warming and academically deep, an achievement that is difficult with a book this short. It is a fitting end to Loewen's academic career and gave me insight to the author in a way that felt very personal. As someone who has been influenced by Loewen as an academic professional, I felt moved by this work.

[Brett · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author was a member of my 1964 class at Carleton. This memoir was very entertaining and intelligent.

[Robyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A wealth of historical/anthropological knowledge wrapped in the adventures of canoeing.
A fun and interesting read.

[Tom O'Connor · Rating 4 out of 5]

a lovely read based on someone who's had a great life. I really enjoyed the sociological lessons mixed in with silly stories about him doing things I'd see myself doing in life. Assuming things would go well and watching the chaos unfold around me