Paddle Your Own Canoe: One Man's Fundamentals for Delicious Living Hardcover – Illustrated, October 1, 2013

I got this book anticipating a witty memoir on Offerman’s life interspersed with pointers on whiskey, woodworking, and delectable meats. What you frequently get instead is Nick on a soapbox railing condescendingly against the faith of his youth and family. While I’m not Catholic, it seems rather sad to hear a person trashing the beliefs of their roots. It struck me as less an enlightened or gracious tone and more an embittered diatribe of a man who had lost his sense of place and community (two themes of Wendell Berry which Offerman professes to enjoy). So if you like Ron Swanson and are looking for a funny, light read...don’t buy this one. Buy “Food: A Love Story” or “Dad is Fat” both are a lot wittier and without the bitter preaching about what you need to believe.

Here the situation.If you like Ron Swanson. Don't get this book. This is not "Parks and Rec: The novel". This is an autobiography. I think 90% of the complaints are from people who expected this book to be an extension of Ron Swanson character - talking about eating lots of meat and complaining about Tammy 2. Instead, they got a book about an actors rather ideal life in middle America, his entry into the theater world and his struggle to finding acting jobs in LA.The books is however, HILARIOUS. Nick talks about his life in a very open and honest manner, going over both mistakes and victories. He is middle of the line political person, but also has strong views and yes, a pretty libertarian stance. He pulls no punches making fun of folks who are dependant on technology - since ALOT of folks are depenant, I'm sure many of the complaints here are from folks who were likely irked by his constant ribbing of folks who can't line with Instagram, a GPS and would die with two hours if left alone in the wilderness.If your an open-minded person (which most people are not) then this is a VERY helpful book. He has alot of earthy advice on everything from drug use, to dating, to sex, to eating right, work ethic, etc. NICK OFFERMAN IS NOT RON SWANSON. Nor does he claim to be. Ron Swanson is an over-the-top version of Nick Offerman, written by writers who knew Nick. Nick Offerman does enjoy fishing, immensely. He doesn't not perfer hunting, tho understands many do. Nick Offerman eat's salad and veggies, but won't turn away a nice steak. Nick Offerman likes to hit the bong and watch Twin Peaks, as opposed to Ron Swanson who would mostly be found carving 1/110th 18th Century Spanish Gallon from a fallen tree near his cabin with nothing but a pen knife. He does not even mention Ron Swanson until the very last chapter.If you are a hardcore, totalitarian conservative, Nick will probably say something to irk you. If you are a hardcore, bleeding liberal Nick will probably say something to irk you. He's not doing it on purpose - he's just in the middle of the political spectrum and is making his views clear, usually with some humor attached.IF you are Ron Swanson/Parks and Rec fan you need to do this: Before you buy this book, then scream to high heaven and post a nasty review of it because it doesn't have things like "Ron Swanson's chart of needs" - think for a second. Look up Nick Offerman. Yes. N-I-C-K O-F-F-E-R-M-AN. Watch an interview with him on Conan O'Brien or something on Youtube. Realize that this is a person's autobiography and not a joke book.Then once you do that, then you can ease into the tranquil warmth of what is Nick Offerman's sage-like advice and story telling.

I will admit I did not finish this book. After the second chapter I could not go on with this book. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and while I agree that there should be separation of church and state, I think the trashing of Christianity got a little out of hand. It is fine to not a agree with people's religion but to say all Chistians shove their religion down people's throats is not true. Some do but their are many good Christians and to say they are idiots for believing in a God is very rude and inconsiderate.

This book was hysterical and very entertaining, would recommend!! I want to address the biggest issue I read about in these reviews before I bought the book: his opinion on Christianity. Offerman CLEARLY states his admiration for Christianity and the message of the Bible, his critique of it comes from the "misuse of Christianity in modern society" which is all too true. Growing up in the Bible Belt, this book is all too relatable and Offerman words everything perfectly. People in other reviews critiquing him obviously don't recognize the problem that organized religion can have when it's agenda is forced on people (especially kids) and used to suppress women or minorities in general.ANWAYS, that being said, don't let other reviews scare you! This book is awesome and the story is very interesting and hilarious. Love this man even more now!

Like most people, I was first introduced to Nick Offerman through his Parks & Rec character Ron Swanson. Over time, I learned more about the actor through different television interviews and hilarious internet videos.Before I read this book, I knew only a few things about Offerman. Mostly, I knew he was an actor, married to an actress, and that we was a proud woodworker. I find entertainers with unrelated passions very intriguing. It’s not everyday you see someone passionate about the fine arts covered in sawdust.If you think Ron Swanson is your soulmate, then you would probably hate Nick Offerman. Yes, Offerman and Swanson do share an affinity towards red meat, working with your hands, and being out in nature, but there are more differences than similarities.Offerman is definitely a great humorist and entity unto himself. I liked this book. His comments and his opinions keep the book moving. His stories about his Chicago acting days were interesting but kind of boring to me, but then again, I don’t really care about the acting scene in Chicago. We have differing worldviews on some subjects, but, that is okay. I can disagree with somethings and still find the book great.

I suppose I am wishing I had seen a review like this before I bought it. While I believe Nick is a solid actor and a true craftsman of the finer man arts, the book was a disappointment. After 200+pages I find myself questioning if I can continue. Lots of theater talk and the humor has faded completely. Moving on to the pile of books that will hopefully enlighten, entertain and humor me.

This is a great book, I like Offerman's character in Parks and Recreation and have read about the author/comic actor before so, I will admit, I was in many ways predisposed to liking this book from the beginning.I have given it four stars rather than five for two reasons, I think a lot of people may have thought this believing it was a book written by or from the (one dimensional when you think about it) perspective of Offerman's most popular character Ron Swanson (in fairness Offerman deals with that pretty early on in the book, although some of the illustrations and content made me think he was swinging back and forth between writing that sort of book and something more biographical instead) and the second reason, well, some of the content felt a little like "filler" to me, all the material about religion for instance, maybe its more significant for American readers but I thought it was all a bit of an uninteresting digression.The chapters are each on a theme, as I have already said they are pretty biographical, resonate a certain grisled warmth too, its really interesting to read about the characters and life that lead Offerman to create Ron Swanson, the character is a combination of a number of people from his life, his father, uncles, other family. Interspacing the chapters or at the end of each there is a kind of endnote which is a kind of short essay upon a theme, such as food or religion (just two which stood out for me, I like the former and the later less so).This was an interesting and amusing book, as I have said I bought it mainly because I am a fan of the author and their character Ron Swanson, although I think perhaps you could enjoy this if you were not acquainted with either, you could even develop an interest in woodworking.

Impossible not to read in his voice. Highly recommend a glass of something pleasant and to sit and read it like he's spinning you a tale over a few drinks. Loved it - funny, engaging, and every now and then the man has a damn point.

Ron Swanson is my absolute fave, so when I saw a book by Nick Offerman, I couldn't resist. This is brilliant and have lent it out to lots of friends who have all loved it.

This book is brilliant, read it a couple of times now and still find it hilarious.

Whether your a Parks and Rec fan, or a woodworker, or just someone who has any sense of humor at all, you'll love this book. Offerman has such fantastic tales to tell, mixing the poignant with the hilarious, and throwing in a few life lessons that everyone can learn from too.Could not recommend this book more!