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  • Paddle Your Own Canoe

  • One Man's Fundamentals for Delicious Living
  • Written by: Nick Offerman
  • Narrated by: Nick Offerman
  • Length: 10 hrs and 50 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (225 ratings)

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Paddle Your Own Canoe

Written by: Nick Offerman
Narrated by: Nick Offerman
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Publisher's 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

What the critics say

“[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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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Inspiring, touching and hilarious read

Nick Offerman offers touching and inspiring accounts of his personal and professional development in his own hilarious way. Enjoyed the book quite very much and will be listening to other books by the same author. If you want to learn what the secret of life is, or which type of facial hair is acceptable, this book is for you.

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Beyond funny!!!

Omg I loved this audio book so much Nick Offerman is adorable and having him narrate his book is the best way to hear this story. This book was my walking buddy and so many times I laughed out loud which probably looked odd as I was with my dog! I absolutely recommend this book and really I loved hearing Ron Swanson my favorite character in this as well!

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Funny but disappointing

Got through the first hour or so and initially liked the content. It became very heavy… as if a standup comedian would not pause for laughter.
Very heavy on thesaurus, the narration feels thick with editing and not easy to listen to.
Stopped listening when he compared the Bible with some idiotic stories that are there just for amusement.
Got this book because I liked his character in Parks& Rec.
I would not recommend it.

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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The book is for children

Too little story, too much "life lessons". Most people in their late twenties have enough experience to not need this.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

BUY THIS BOOK

Rarely do I write reviews on books, however, this one is a must listen!! Nick offermans views on life, love and a clear unabashed view on how to achieve a sense of self worth are something everyone should listen to ( basically, don’t be an asshole) While offering up hilarious personal experiences, Nick dives deep into examining several of modern societies issues. His delivery through it all is something that needs to be experienced. Personally, this book has changed my life for the better, and I can only hope that it will enrich yours as well.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Very well written and funny

It is filled with lots of funny tales of the author's life. Thank you for sharing with us. I have learned to paddle my own canoe, to lead the best life, and not feel guilty.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Top Notch Listening

Brilliantly narrated by the great Nick Offerman. Insight, humour and humility best served with a cold pint.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Thesaurus

This book was obviously written with a Thesaurus being used for every other word. In my opinion Nick tries way to hard to let people know how smart he is.

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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struggled to finish

way too preachy and did not appreciate most of his hot takes on topics which is a shame because I find him very funny. parts were definitely funny but overall I struggled to finish this.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

amazingly hilarious and entertaining

This is the only way to experience this title in my honest opinion. Nick Offerman makes me laugh and at points I had to pull off the road to finish laughing while listening.

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