"Boundary Waters Canoe Camping"
by Cliff Jacobson
3rd Edition, 2012

Decidedly preservationist in nature (preface by Kevin Proescholdt, generous mention of Sigurd Olson, political history perspective from David Backes), this book is filled with what Cliff admits are "recommendations for some of my favorite canoeing and camping items." It isn't possible to read through and agree with everything that he asserts as "best," but it is a good enough primer to canoe camping that I would recommend it to any BWCA visitor (especially first-timers), right along with the Beymer and Pauly books.

Some things you might just have to agree to disagree with -- innies, stashing food, tumplines -- but other things are just plain wrong, or at least misleading. When discussing permit reservations, he states: "You no longer need to specify a pickup location." Huh? Then, there is the confusing map illustration used to explain UTM, the one for which he needed to post an online apology. I actually think that some of his suggestions are tongue-in-cheek jabs at folks using new-fangled equipment to make them feel like an outdoorsman: "A stainless-steel Sierra cup makes a handy ladle." And, he dodges some issues with clever lines like, "The perfect shoes for canoeing have not yet been invented." True, but...

Some topics barely scratch the surface, leaving you hanging while he moves on to another area of self-proclaimed expertise, but he's quick to suggest some of his other books if you'd like more detailed information. The hand-drawn illustrations were sometimes less than helpful, but the photography was quite good. Overall, I found this latest edition to be a worthwhile read.

3.5 stars out of 5.