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We Like It Wild
How two young city people found a new life-style-- a log cabin home in the depths of the Canadian wilderness
212 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1963
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
December 26, 2025
very dry, and does not truly take place in the wilderness. In Canada amongst the harsh weathers of the north but in a cabin that was given to them for free. A store is a few miles away so they can get supplies. Really they just live without electricity and have no car but acquire horses. In Maine we call this country-living lol. Not very informative and the author paints his wife as someone who knows nothing and himself as someone who knows everything.
February 14, 2021
Bradford Angier’s writings have always interested me. When I was younger, I used to read his books about plants and wilderness survival. So, I was interested in reading this book, which is an autobiographical account of how he and his wife, Vena, left Boston to go live for a year in the Canadian wilderness. This was in 1947, so things were much different. It makes for some fascinating reading.
Their journey begins with their arrival in Hudson Hope. They find a log cabin to buy and fix up so they can live in it. They do all the work themselves, with help hauling things from town provided by neighbors. They then survive their first winter, with subzero temperatures that seem unbelievable. They take walks on the iced-over river and explore their wilderness home with their Irish wolfhound, Bushman.
The writing can be a bit more lyrical than prosaic, so some sentences can be difficult to stumble over. It was the style of the time though. This book was originally published many years ago, but the tale is a timeless one of adventure in the wilderness. I found the glimpse back to those days to be incredibly interesting. I loved how they survived and managed to keep warm in the amazing subzero temperatures. They built things with their own hands and traveled in icy conditions.
The scene in the old mine was scary. I was right there along with them, hearing the river breaking up and feeling the water washing over their feet. As they squeezed through small tunnels, I felt the heart-pounding terror of trying to get out of the mine as the water rose. That was one scary scene, but all ended well. I loved the technique he invented to climb out of the shaft. When you read it, you will be amazed. It was pretty creative, I thought.
I really enjoyed this book and loved seeing the wilderness through the eyes of someone who lived in it firsthand. Anyone who loves nature, or outdoor adventure, will find this timeless tale appealing. This biographical tale has inspired me to seek out the old plant books I read by this author back in the 70’s. I fondly remember them and want to experience them again. I think you will enjoy this book as I did.
Their journey begins with their arrival in Hudson Hope. They find a log cabin to buy and fix up so they can live in it. They do all the work themselves, with help hauling things from town provided by neighbors. They then survive their first winter, with subzero temperatures that seem unbelievable. They take walks on the iced-over river and explore their wilderness home with their Irish wolfhound, Bushman.
The writing can be a bit more lyrical than prosaic, so some sentences can be difficult to stumble over. It was the style of the time though. This book was originally published many years ago, but the tale is a timeless one of adventure in the wilderness. I found the glimpse back to those days to be incredibly interesting. I loved how they survived and managed to keep warm in the amazing subzero temperatures. They built things with their own hands and traveled in icy conditions.
The scene in the old mine was scary. I was right there along with them, hearing the river breaking up and feeling the water washing over their feet. As they squeezed through small tunnels, I felt the heart-pounding terror of trying to get out of the mine as the water rose. That was one scary scene, but all ended well. I loved the technique he invented to climb out of the shaft. When you read it, you will be amazed. It was pretty creative, I thought.
I really enjoyed this book and loved seeing the wilderness through the eyes of someone who lived in it firsthand. Anyone who loves nature, or outdoor adventure, will find this timeless tale appealing. This biographical tale has inspired me to seek out the old plant books I read by this author back in the 70’s. I fondly remember them and want to experience them again. I think you will enjoy this book as I did.
July 14, 2016
A true life back to the land adventure!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews