The Whole Paddler's Catalog
Edited by Zip Kellogg
194 pp. 7 1/2 x 9 paper. 185 illustrations.
ISBN 0-07-033901-5
Ragged Mountain Press. $19.95.
Reviewed by John Quenell (Wooden Canoe Issue #82)
August 1997
Those familiar with The Whole Earth Catalog will immediately understand the idea behind The Whole Paddler's Catalog. It is a reference resource (a "database" to those of you under 40) containing information on books, magazines, newsletters, recordings, clubs and organizations that are concerned with paddle sports.
How might you use the catalog? Let us suppose you are interested in water-related music. The index sends you to page 169, where you find "Watermusic: Songbooks and Recordings." Ten books are listed, of which seven are reviewed. Four recordings are listed, with specific mention of some of the songs contained in each. Part of Mason Williams' Master List of River/Water Songs and Music is printed in this section - his website address is provided for those who would like to see the whole list. Then there is a did-you-know-that squib for the trivia fans. Did you know that Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton sang "Islands in the Stream," or that Bach means "brook"? I didn't.
Although The Whole Paddler's Catalog nominally is a reference work, some will find the commentary of explorers, builders, instructors and philosophers that runs through its pages to be at least as rewarding. None of it is dull. For instance, here is the beginning of an essay by John Dowd:
As sea kayaking grows from a fringe activity into an industry with serious economic potential, the political soup thickens and you don't need to look far to see that the control personalities have started to wriggle into a position from which they can manipulate their fellow paddlers. You might argue this is just human nature and is inevitable, but it is also the nature of some humans to resist unwanted controls - particularly in an activity chosen for its freedom.Oh, yeah. You Control Types, please take note.
As a reader of The Whole Paddler's Catalog you are bound to find something of interest, whether or not you are looking for a particular piece of information. That is the charm of the book - one is constantly diverted by illustrations and writings concerning topics that previously may not have even been thought about.
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