Paddle Your Own Canoe

One Man's Fundamentals for Delicious Living

By: Nick Offerman

Narrated by: Nick Offerman

Length: 10 hrs and 50 mins

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

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)

the road trip book

I really enjoyed listening to this book with my significant other on our cross-country move. it was a good distraction wall driving and give us wonderful hours of conversation.

It is very enjoyable

I am only halfway through, but I am already preparing to recommend it to friends. It is somewhat a biography of Nick Offerman from being very young and up through his acting career. Along with digresses to his opinions and tips on various topics.

There is much swearing and philosophy to be had, along with Nick's great narrating and occasional chuckle. I have laughed myself on multiple occasions during listening.

a new offerman fan

great performance. enjoyed the stories of how he hit the big time. his irreverence was sprinkled throughout making the book entertaining

just funny

I don't know why I find the anecdotes of celebrities funny, but I do. I found this book very entertaining and enjoyable.

This listen did not disappoint

This was an honest, funny, irreverent (I would expect nothing less!) open love letter to life, work and this lucky bastard's legal property. It is a humorous glimpse into the life of the delightful Nick Offerman - who unless he's an even better actor than I thought - is just a terrific and tragically rare human being. His tellings are so personal, but permissively voyeuristic. Nick makes the listener feel oddly comfortable peeping into his wonderfully weird window. Highly recommended for any fan and beyond, particularly those with any sort of artistic bend or a general appreciation of bullshit free discussion. Hearing him talk about his relationship makes my heart and other parts all gooey. *Insert half page of hand scribbled heart symbols here*

Funny book, some great life lessons to take.

Since beginning to read this book I have begun drinking more scotch, appreciating my wife more, starting an amateur woodshop in my garage and enjoying red meat. Truly delicious living. Someday I'll make it to the canoe.

The greatest man alive.

Chuck your bibles to the wind and keep this gem in your bedside drawer okay?

Nick Offerman is.....

an American role model the likes of which are rare. Paddle your canoe my friend.

Great listen

Absolutely exceptional book. Offerman's vocabulary range and story telling are second to none. This will most certainly be a repeat listen.

I want Nick Offerman to read my Eulogy

his silky voice is one of the best things I've heard. I'd love for him to do more audio books, even ones that someone else wrote.