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  • Paddle Your Own Canoe

  • One Man's Fundamentals for Delicious Living
  • By: Nick Offerman
  • Narrated by: Nick Offerman
  • Length: 10 hrs and 50 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (1,181 ratings)

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Paddle Your Own Canoe

By: Nick Offerman
Narrated by: Nick Offerman
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Summary

Parks and Recreation actor Nick Offerman shares his humorous fulminations on life, manliness, meat, and much more in his first book.

Growing a perfect moustache, grilling red meat, wooing a woman - who better to deliver this tutelage than the always charming, always manly Nick Offerman, best known as Parks and Recreation's Ron Swanson? Combining his trademark comic voice and very real expertise in woodworking - he runs his own woodshop - Paddle Your Own Canoe features tales from Offerman's childhood in small-town Minooka, Illinois - "I grew up literally in the middle of a cornfield" - to his theater days in Chicago, beginnings as a carpenter/actor and the hilarious and magnificent seduction of his now-wife Megan Mullally. It also offers hard-bitten battle strategies in the arenas of manliness, love, style, religion, woodworking, and outdoor recreation, among many other savory entrees.

A mix of amusing anecdotes, opinionated lessons and rants, sprinkled with offbeat gaiety, Paddle Your Own Canoe will not only tickle readers pink but may also rouse them to put down their smart phones, study a few sycamore leaves, and maybe even handcraft (and paddle) their own canoes.

©2013 Nick Offerman (P)2013 Penguin
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Critic reviews

“[Offerman] not only explores his Paul Bunyan-like image with tongue-in-cheek lessons on manliness, complete with illustrations and advice, but also offers poignant memories of his childhood growing up in Illinois and hilarious anecdotes from his career.” (Entertainment Weekly)

“Offerman touches on everything from his days as a break-dancing, football-playing farm boy in Minooka (about 50 miles southwest of the Loop) to his freewheeling, hedonistic 20s in Chicago to the inevitable Hollywood struggles that followed. But he doesn’t gloss over embarrassing moments, including his two trips to jail during college at the University of Illinois - one for shoplifting Ronnie Milsap cassettes from Kmart as a joke; the other, he says, a convoluted case of mistaken identity. Between anecdotes, he delivers impassioned pleas and rants…” (Chicago magazine)

“Thought-provoking, profane, and frequently hilarious…getting to know Offerman through his stumbling courtship with Megan Mullally and Kabuki theater training is well worth the price of admission.” (Publishers Weekly)

What listeners say about Paddle Your Own Canoe

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A perfect hiking buddy

listened to this while hiking to lose weight and it's like taking a stroll with a good buddy, listening to his tales and wisdom. loved it.

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Great Storyteller

What did you like most about Paddle Your Own Canoe?

Offerman's approach to the book as a whole, lighthearted with real knowledge and passion about what he's talking about.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Mr Offerman himself of course, particularly as a child.

Any additional comments?

A fun, interesting listen for fans and newcomers alike.

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Fantastic

Brilliant, funny and really enjoyable. I would recommend this to anyone because you’ll love it.

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non conformist

the story of nick offerman also none as Ron Swanson, what a guy! I love his attitude to life and the way he reps loving a full life. a must listen for fans of parks and rec aswell as meat eating, wood working, performance arts and last but not least boobs

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what a fucking diamond

listen to this book.
enjoy nick offerman's voice.
absorb his wisdom.
increase your life's deliciousness.

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Magnificent

This book was a much needed lift to my life. Thank you Mr Offerman for injecting your manliness into my eagerly waiting cradle of life.

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Pure Briliance

What did you like best about this story?

Nick Offerman narrating is just the greatest. He really brings his book to life and gives it an added dimension. Already a fan of his after watching him in Parks and Rec, my husband and I just loved the whole thing.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Oh we laughed out loud a lot!

Any additional comments?

Everyone needs this book in their life, Nick Offerman is an amazing person and it was so wonderful to hear him talk about his life and his experiences. He has some interesting views on religion, food..all sorts. It's excellent from start to finish!

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Very entertaining!

Hilarious, insightful, filthy, eye opening and full of wisdom.
Can't wait to listen to his next book!

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mandatory listening

Something everyone, especially young men, should listen to. Highly enjoyable. Nick Offerman is an icon, a mentor and someone well worthy of admiration.

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Great insight into Nicks mind

Really enjoyed this, will need to now pick up his newer ones. Definitely gave me a chuckle or two as I went along.

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