Try free for 30 days
-
Paddle Your Own Canoe
- One Man's Fundamentals for Delicious Living
- Narrated by: Nick Offerman
- Length: 10 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Arts & Entertainment, Art
Add to basket failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from Wish List failed.
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Listen with a free trial
Buy Now for $34.13
No valid payment method on file.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Buy it with
-
Gumption
- Relighting the Torch of Freedom with America's Gutsiest Troublemakers
- By: Nick Offerman
- Narrated by: Nick Offerman
- Length: 11 hrs and 42 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The star of Parks and Recreation and author of the New York Times best seller Paddle Your Own Canoe returns with a second book that humorously highlights 21 figures from our nation’s history, from her inception to present day - Nick’s personal pantheon of “great Americans". After the great success of his autobiography, Paddle Your Own Canoe, Offerman now focuses on the lives of those who inspired him. From George Washington to Willie Nelson, he describes 21 heroic figures and why they inspire in him such great meaning.
-
-
Nick is Amazing
- By Mick on 14-06-2020
-
Where the Deer and the Antelope Play
- The Pastoral Observations of One Ignorant American Who Loves to Walk Outside
- By: Nick Offerman
- Narrated by: Nick Offerman
- Length: 11 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A humorous and rousing set of literal and figurative sojourns as well as a mission statement about comprehending, protecting, and truly experiencing the outdoors, fueled by three journeys undertaken by actor, humorist, and New York Times best-selling author Nick Offerman
-
-
A much needed listen for everyone.
- By Curtis de la Harpe on 03-06-2022
-
I'd Like to Play Alone, Please
- Essays
- By: Tom Segura
- Narrated by: Tom Segura
- Length: 6 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Tom Segura is known for his twisted takes and irreverent comedic voice. But after a few years of crazy tours and churning out podcasts weekly, all while parenting two young children, he desperately needs a second to himself. It’s not that he hates his friends and family—he’s not a monster—he’s just beat. In this collection of stories, Tom combines his signature curmudgeonly humor with a revealing look at some of the ridiculous situations that shaped him and the ludicrous characters who always seem to seek him out.
-
-
beautifully delivered/constructed
- By Anonymous User on 18-06-2022
-
Every Tool's a Hammer
- Life Is What You Make It
- By: Adam Savage
- Narrated by: Adam Savage
- Length: 7 hrs and 45 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
MythBusters’ Adam Savage - Discovery Channel star and one of the most beloved figures in science and tech - shares his golden rules of creativity, from finding inspiration to following through and successfully turning your idea into reality. Adam Savage is a maker. From Chewbacca’s bandolier to a thousand-shot Nerf gun, he has built thousands of spectacular projects as a special effects artist and the cohost of MythBusters.
-
-
Makes should read this.
- By Seth Irvine on 21-07-2022
-
The Office BFFs
- Tales of The Office from Two Best Friends Who Were There
- By: Jenna Fischer, Angela Kinsey
- Narrated by: Jenna Fischer, Angela Kinsey
- Length: 8 hrs and 26 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Receptionist Pam Beesly and accountant Angela Martin had very little in common when they toiled together at Scranton’s Dunder Mifflin Paper Company. But, in reality, the two bonded in their very first days on set and, over the nine seasons of the series’ run, built a friendship that transcended the show and continues to this day.
-
-
If you’re a fan of the show, you’ll enjoy this book
- By Anonymous User on 07-08-2022
-
MeatEater's Campfire Stories: Narrow Escapes & More Close Calls
- By: Steven Rinella, Clay Newcomb, Vince Merritt, and others
- Narrated by: Steven Rinella, the Contributors
- Length: 5 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In Campfire Stories: Narrow Escapes & More Close Calls, storytellers take us from Florida to the Northern Rockies to the Arctic Ocean with wild and true stories, a reminder that the natural world is rugged and unpredictable. Including stories from Steven Rinella and Clay Newcomb, and spearfishing champion Kimi Werner, this immersive audio collection also features tales from listeners who survived falling through the ice, gunshot and arrowhead wounds, hand-to-hoof combat with a deer, and a spearfisherman who made the best shot of his life to save a friend from certain death.
-
-
Rinella and MeatEater team pull it off again!
- By WAYDE LYNDEN FRANCIS HARROP on 07-08-2022
-
Gumption
- Relighting the Torch of Freedom with America's Gutsiest Troublemakers
- By: Nick Offerman
- Narrated by: Nick Offerman
- Length: 11 hrs and 42 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The star of Parks and Recreation and author of the New York Times best seller Paddle Your Own Canoe returns with a second book that humorously highlights 21 figures from our nation’s history, from her inception to present day - Nick’s personal pantheon of “great Americans". After the great success of his autobiography, Paddle Your Own Canoe, Offerman now focuses on the lives of those who inspired him. From George Washington to Willie Nelson, he describes 21 heroic figures and why they inspire in him such great meaning.
-
-
Nick is Amazing
- By Mick on 14-06-2020
-
Where the Deer and the Antelope Play
- The Pastoral Observations of One Ignorant American Who Loves to Walk Outside
- By: Nick Offerman
- Narrated by: Nick Offerman
- Length: 11 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A humorous and rousing set of literal and figurative sojourns as well as a mission statement about comprehending, protecting, and truly experiencing the outdoors, fueled by three journeys undertaken by actor, humorist, and New York Times best-selling author Nick Offerman
-
-
A much needed listen for everyone.
- By Curtis de la Harpe on 03-06-2022
-
I'd Like to Play Alone, Please
- Essays
- By: Tom Segura
- Narrated by: Tom Segura
- Length: 6 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Tom Segura is known for his twisted takes and irreverent comedic voice. But after a few years of crazy tours and churning out podcasts weekly, all while parenting two young children, he desperately needs a second to himself. It’s not that he hates his friends and family—he’s not a monster—he’s just beat. In this collection of stories, Tom combines his signature curmudgeonly humor with a revealing look at some of the ridiculous situations that shaped him and the ludicrous characters who always seem to seek him out.
-
-
beautifully delivered/constructed
- By Anonymous User on 18-06-2022
-
Every Tool's a Hammer
- Life Is What You Make It
- By: Adam Savage
- Narrated by: Adam Savage
- Length: 7 hrs and 45 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
MythBusters’ Adam Savage - Discovery Channel star and one of the most beloved figures in science and tech - shares his golden rules of creativity, from finding inspiration to following through and successfully turning your idea into reality. Adam Savage is a maker. From Chewbacca’s bandolier to a thousand-shot Nerf gun, he has built thousands of spectacular projects as a special effects artist and the cohost of MythBusters.
-
-
Makes should read this.
- By Seth Irvine on 21-07-2022
-
The Office BFFs
- Tales of The Office from Two Best Friends Who Were There
- By: Jenna Fischer, Angela Kinsey
- Narrated by: Jenna Fischer, Angela Kinsey
- Length: 8 hrs and 26 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Receptionist Pam Beesly and accountant Angela Martin had very little in common when they toiled together at Scranton’s Dunder Mifflin Paper Company. But, in reality, the two bonded in their very first days on set and, over the nine seasons of the series’ run, built a friendship that transcended the show and continues to this day.
-
-
If you’re a fan of the show, you’ll enjoy this book
- By Anonymous User on 07-08-2022
-
MeatEater's Campfire Stories: Narrow Escapes & More Close Calls
- By: Steven Rinella, Clay Newcomb, Vince Merritt, and others
- Narrated by: Steven Rinella, the Contributors
- Length: 5 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In Campfire Stories: Narrow Escapes & More Close Calls, storytellers take us from Florida to the Northern Rockies to the Arctic Ocean with wild and true stories, a reminder that the natural world is rugged and unpredictable. Including stories from Steven Rinella and Clay Newcomb, and spearfishing champion Kimi Werner, this immersive audio collection also features tales from listeners who survived falling through the ice, gunshot and arrowhead wounds, hand-to-hoof combat with a deer, and a spearfisherman who made the best shot of his life to save a friend from certain death.
-
-
Rinella and MeatEater team pull it off again!
- By WAYDE LYNDEN FRANCIS HARROP on 07-08-2022
-
The Bassoon King
- My Life in Art, Faith, and Idiocy
- By: Rainn Wilson
- Narrated by: Rainn Wilson
- Length: 8 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Rainn Wilson’s memoir about growing up geeky and finally finding his place in comedy, faith, and life. For nine seasons Rainn Wilson played Dwight Schrute, everyone's favorite work nemesis and beet farmer. Viewers of The Office fell in love with the character and grew to love the actor who played him even more. Rainn founded a website and media company, SoulPancake, that eventually became a best-selling book of the same name. He also started a hilarious Twitter feed (sample tweet: “I'm not on Facebook” is the new “I don't even own a TV”).
-
-
Excellent !
- By jack ren on 26-06-2022
-
Yes Please
- By: Amy Poehler
- Narrated by: Amy Poehler, Carol Burnett, Seth Meyers, and others
- Length: 7 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In Amy Poehler's highly anticipated first book, Yes Please, she offers up a big juicy stew of personal stories, funny bits on sex and love and friendship and parenthood and real life advice (some useful, some not so much). Powered by Amy's charming and hilarious, biting yet wise voice, and including a star-studded guest list of vocal appearances.
-
-
Loved it!
- By Stacey Baines on 14-09-2015
-
Tough
- My Journey to True Power
- By: Terry Crews
- Narrated by: Terry Crews
- Length: 9 hrs and 13 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Terry Crews spent decades cultivating his bodybuilder physique and bravado. On the outside, he seemed invincible: he escaped his abusive father, went pro in the NFL, and broke into the glamorous world of Hollywood. But his fixation with appearing outwardly tough eventually turned into an exhausting performance in which repressing his emotions let them get the better of him—leading him into addiction and threatening the most important relationships in his life.
-
-
Exceptional performance and content
- By Anonymous User on 03-05-2022
-
Before & Laughter
- By: Jimmy Carr
- Narrated by: Jimmy Carr
- Length: 6 hrs and 45 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Written to take advantage of the brief window between the end of lockdown and Jimmy getting cancelled for saying something unforgivable to Lorraine Kelly, this book is as timely as it is unnecessary. Because you might be interested in Jimmy's life but he's damn sure you're a lot more interested in your own, Before & Laughter is about both of you. But mainly him.
-
-
Just excellent…like your Mum
- By Brendan Irwin on 06-10-2021
-
The Storyteller
- Tales of Life and Music
- By: Dave Grohl
- Narrated by: Dave Grohl
- Length: 10 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Having entertained the idea for years, and even offered a few questionable opportunities, I have decided to tell these stories just as I have always done, in my own voice. The joy that I have felt from chronicling these tales is not unlike listening back to a song that I’ve recorded and can’t wait to share with the world, or reading a primitive journal entry from a stained notebook, or even hearing my voice bounce between the Kiss posters on my wall as a child.
-
-
And what a damn storyteller he is!
- By Anonymous User on 12-10-2021
-
Windswept & Interesting
- My Autobiography
- By: Billy Connolly
- Narrated by: Billy Connolly
- Length: 8 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In his first full-length autobiography, comedy legend and national treasure Billy Connolly reveals the truth behind his windswept and interesting life. Born in a tenement flat in Glasgow in 1942, orphaned by the age of fourth and a survivor of appalling abuse at the hands of his own family, Billy's life is a remarkable story of success against all the odds.
-
-
Windswept and Fantastic
- By Anonymous User on 23-10-2021
-
Yearbook
- By: Seth Rogen
- Narrated by: Seth Rogen, full cast
- Length: 6 hrs and 13 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A collection of funny personal essays from one of the writers of Superbad and Pineapple Express and one of the producers of The Disaster Artist, Neighbors, and The Boys. (All of these words have been added to help this book show up in people's searches using the wonders of algorithmic technology. Thanks for bearing with us!)
-
-
Buy now, Hilarious
- By marc on 25-05-2021
-
Endure
- How to Work Hard, Outlast and Keep Hammering
- By: Cameron Hanes
- Narrated by: Cameron Hanes, Joe Rogan, David Goggins
- Length: 7 hrs and 42 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Living in a small town where dreams were dismissed and bouncing between the homes of divorced parents, Cameron Hanes carried low expectations and no hope for a life of fulfilled potential. Then he discovered his great love—the bow. For Cameron, finding his drive, his purpose, a reason for pushing himself every single day, changed everything. Endure chronicles the lessons Cameron has learned and compels us to raise our expectations of ourselves.
-
-
Ignorant egoist
- By ANGELA GOODWIN on 22-06-2022
-
Outdoor Kids in an Inside World
- Getting Your Family Out of the House and Radically Engaged with Nature
- By: Steven Rinella
- Narrated by: Steven Rinella
- Length: 6 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In the era of screens and devices, the average American spends 90 percent of their time indoors, and children are no exception. Thankfully, with the right mind-set, families can find beauty, meaning, and connection in a life lived outdoors. Here, outdoors expert Steven Rinella shares the parenting wisdom he has garnered as a father whose family has lived amid the biggest cities and wildest corners of America. Throughout, he offers practical advice for getting kids radically engaged with nature in a muddy, thrilling, hands-on way.
-
Comedy, Comedy, Comedy, Drama
- By: Bob Odenkirk
- Narrated by: Bob Odenkirk, Leo Benvenuti, Steve Rudnick
- Length: 7 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In this brilliantly entertaining and heartfelt memoir, beloved star and comic maverick Bob Odenkirk writes honestly about the highs and lows of showbiz: his work on infamous cult comedy Mr. Show, as a performer and writer on legendary series such as The Larry Sanders Show and Saturday Night Live, becoming everyone's favourite lawyer in global hit TV series' Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, and what it's like to reinvent himself as an action film ass-kicker at 50 in Nobody.
-
-
Not as good as I hoped
- By Sally Dunn on 29-03-2022
-
All Rise
- Audio Perambulation
- By: Nick Offerman
- Narrated by: Nick Offerman
- Length: 1 hr and 45 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In Nick Offerman's view, we as a country can be doing a better job when it comes to decency. While most of the country has spent the last few years fighting about everything from politics to the existence of science, there are some things we can all agree about, like that we only really need one flavor of Oreo cookies. And that despite all the challenges we're currently facing, America can get it together if we can, simply, rise above it all, and admit that a lot what we're fighting about is actually pretty stupid, especially when told in Nick's signature comedic voice.
-
Crash Test Girl
- An Unlikely Experiment in Using the Scientific Method to Answer Life’s Toughest Questions
- By: Kari Byron
- Narrated by: Kari Byron
- Length: 6 hrs and 26 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Kari Byron's story hasn't been a straight line. She started out as a broke artist living in San Francisco, writing poems on a crowded bus on the way to one of her three jobs. Many curveballs, unexpected twists, and yes, literal and figurative explosions later, and she's one of the world's most respected women in science entertainment, blowing stuff up on national television and getting paid for it! In Crash Test Girl, Kari reveals her fascinating life story on the set of MythBusters and beyond.
-
-
Worth reading/listening to
- By roby bonnes on 20-08-2019
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.
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)
More from the same
What listeners say about Paddle Your Own Canoe
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Johnpocalypse
- 28-07-2015
Bacon
Bacon is mentioned several times. This pleases me.
Additional positive references: woodworking, cunnilingus, moustache, to wit.
4 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Lisa
- 28-04-2015
Didn't want it to end!
Listening to Nick Offerman read his book aloud was like having him sitting in my car with me telling stories for my ears and edification alone. I'll miss his company! Gee he made me laugh, and also reflect on the things that mean something in life.
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Kindle Customer
- 07-07-2018
Delightful autobiographical guide to being a man
It really was a treat to listen to Nick relating his life story up to the date of publication; I'd recommend it highly to anyone that is looking for a signpost on the road through life
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Rach...
- 07-09-2016
A great book and very interesting to listen to
interesting. talks a lot about getting high and the theatre as well as life advice
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Nicole Howard
- 11-06-2016
A Fun Few Hours
There was quite a lot of thanking people and name dropping, but it was funny and delicious anyway. Offerman has a wonderful voice and occasionally breaks into giggles mid sentence which is adorable.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Phoebe
- 20-04-2016
Good fun
Another opportunity to enjoy Offerman's unique voice and unique take on life. Lots of laughs.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Mark
- 23-05-2015
The perfect antidote to modern living
Nick Offerman is a somewhat humorous pile of flesh and bone. Not only that, he is thoughtful and has many truth nuggets to fling. This book is not only inspiring but also very funny, whilst simultaneously feeling like sitting down to a scotch or two with a good friend. I am inspired to go out and build a canoe, or at least go for a nice walk. Please and thank you Nick.
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Matt Dennison
- 26-04-2022
Full on Nick Offerman!
Nick’s onscreen performances and wicked sense of humour has always appealed to me, so I bought this audio book in anticipation of being gifted just a little bit more Nick. Now I eat my steak medium rare with a glass of Balvenie, take good care of my facial hair, and enjoy woodwork in my spare time. I did all those things before listening to this book, but now I know I’m a man. Nick Offerman said so.
Note: If you’re the type of person that prefers to read a book over listening to a book, do yourself a favour and buy the audio version of this book. Nick’s voice makes this book 10/10.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Chris
- 22-04-2022
Great read!
I had my doubts with this one as I don’t know much about this actor. I friend of mine gifted it to me and I haven’t stopped listening to it. I might get the book now. If you are reading this Nick thank you for this knowledge you have given me. I am off to buy a canoe and drink some scotch. Possibly at the same time…
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Tash
- 10-04-2022
Such a delightful listen!
Who doesn't love Nick Offerman!? This is such a delightful. Everyone should listen to this.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- OpenMindedNotCredulous
- 17-11-2013
On the need to acknowledge the role luck plays
I don't think I've ever laughed so much listening to a book. Admittedly I'm in the ideal demographic for this book: a middle age male who enjoys living life with gusto, eating and drinking heartily, and working with wood. Still, I suspect that anyone who enjoys the TV show "Parks and Recreation" will enjoy this book. This is essentially an autobiography but with a lot of wit, wry humor and frequent acknowledgement that he's been lucky. It leaves no doubt that Nick is someone you'd be happy to call a friend.
Warning: If you're a fundamentalist christian you're likely to be offended by his observations regarding religion in the early part of the book. But if you're an atheist or at least religiously liberal you'll enjoy those parts as much as everything else he has to say.
108 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Kyle
- 03-01-2014
Like bacon for your ears
Would you consider the audio edition of Paddle Your Own Canoe to be better than the print version?
Yes, I read through half of the printed edition until I found out the author read the audio version. Without hesitation I downloaded this book and let ten hours fly by as I listened to this gentle, bear-like man recite prose that made my chest hair grow
What does Nick Offerman bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?
Is this a question? Have you heard him talk? His man giggle? Phenomenal stuff, really.
Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?
I laughed much, but more importantly I could feel my twenty-something-year-old inner yuppie child quiver before a new mountain man like giant of self reliance and well roundedness
Any additional comments?
You'll love it more than Ron Swanson. I read this book going in with the idea that it'd be more of a book on life from the humorous outlook of Ron Swanson ( A character played by Offerman on Parks and Rec.) Instead, I was delightfully surprised to hear Nick's recounts of growing up with larger than life parental figures, his often humor infused humility, and his down to earth life lessons. I Will listen to it again.
83 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Mark
- 16-02-2018
Some funny parts
Nick Offerman can tell a funny story. This book is part memoir and part "life lessons." I enjoyed the first half of this book. Much of that consisted of funny stories about stupid things Offerman did while growing up. His comic schtick of telling crude stories in a high brow manner was funny and worked early on. And he wove in many wise life lessons, too. When he shifted to a more serious look at his professional life and even his marriage, his schtick just didn't work as well. It wasn't funny enough and wasn't serious enough, and I got bored in the second half. If you like Offerman's humor, you will get enough of it in the first half of the book.
22 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Joshua Kring
- 30-03-2015
No, it's not hilarious...
Any additional comments?
It's a really good book, but it's not hilarious. It's amusing, it's entertaining, it's motivating, but it's not laugh out loud funny. I liked this book. I liked it a lot. I love Ron Swanson, and I found it very interesting to see where Ron Swanson ends and Nick Offerman begins. I don't agree with all of Offerman's views, but it's damn close. He's a cool guy. He's lived a cool life. He's not a bad writer. I recommend this.
End review!
29 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Ray
- 03-07-2016
Readable - Not Recommendable
Never having seen his TV show but knowing of him through woodworking sources I think I expected more of a midwestern guy goes to Hollywood type of thing. He's really more of a Hollywood type at heart who has made a brand of his midwestern roots. That is, he's not a midwestern, down-home guy at all but can pull a few aphorisms and experiences from his youth to make a brand or schtick of the whole thing.
If you're an aspiring actor or entertainer this might serve as mild inspiration but otherwise I think the book has mostly been purchased by those who thought it was funny that Ron Swanson would write a book. And curious woodworkers of course.
Otherwise it's a collection of marginally interesting stories from his early years and a surprising amount of space given to his animosity towards Christianity. In context to the rest of the book, a few paragraphs would have sufficed but it's a recurrent theme woven throughout the book and thus something of an anomaly.
6 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Rachel - Audible
- 17-10-2017
A Wendell Berry-esque Manifesto (With Giggles)
In between the sounds of Nick Offerman's giggles, Paddle Your Own Canoe offers up a Wendell Berry-esque manifesto of living with character and integrity (even if it's just being true to your inner smartass.) Nick refined the art of the deadpan in the laboratory of Illinois' 1980s rural Catholic churches, and here his unique voice and chewy prose chronicle hilarious hijinks involving bratwurst haikus, facial hair, woodworking, love, and, of course, the legend of Tick-Tock & Flip-Flop, lords of the 80′s Midwestern Breakdance. Surprisingly political and philosophical, Nick Offerman mixes it up with plenty of Ron Swanson-esque smartassery. And giggles. Don't forget the giggles.
5 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Devin
- 26-08-2015
Scotch in one hand and a thesaurus in the other.
As big of an Offerman fan that I am, I struggled through this one. The writing was 'festoon with multifarious verdicts and befuddling patios'. It came across as forced and trying.
The flow and structure was all over the place. Jumping forward and backward in time without a coherent arch, and done so without much reason or purpose.
Lastly, while it did draw out a few chuckles, I would not be remotely tempted to place this in the humorous section.
I did enjoy the overall behind the scenes look at Nick's journey from high school theater to Parks and Recreation. Though the journey could have been a lot smoother.
Nick's dictation was pleasant when not being awkwardly forced over the needlessly antiquated prose.
Overall, it is a difficult audio book to recommend and I would steer clear of the written format as I fear it would be doubly difficult to finish.
32 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Claudia H
- 21-07-2015
A Man's Man
I am a huge fan of Nick Offerman and the character of Ron Swanson, whom I consider the love of my life. As mentioned in other reviews, there are times when the book comes off as a bit preachy, there were times when I was agitated by this and didn’t really want to listen. That doesn’t come until much later in the book. What saved this book, and makes it far superior to the print version, is getting the chance to hear him sing; this is an experience I would have missed out on had I just read the book. It’s a good listen if you can ignore the preaching parts.
12 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Landon
- 07-04-2015
Putting this on repeat
Best book ever. Restarting and listening again. I dont think I've laughed so hard in my life. Very glad Nick read the book himself.
12 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Eric Murphy
- 03-11-2013
Entertaining listen
I listened to this in one sitting. I couldn't stop. Partly because Nick Offerman has a hypnotic voice, and partly because I was simply curious about what he had to say. He is a fascinating man that legitamately loves his life.
I reccomend it highly. It seems many people wanted a book written by Ron Swanson, but I prefer this. There is a depth of charm and wisdom that wouldn't be there had this book been on meat and scotch.
12 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Craig Scott
- 10-07-2017
great use of a spoke shave
Very good.
This app requires the review to be at least fifteen words in length.
10 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Leo
- 17-02-2015
He is better than his father .
Listen to the book. You will find out what that means, why it's true, and why this is possibly the best autobiography on audible. And his awesome voice doesn't hurt either .
4 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- orsoghu
- 22-01-2021
great listen
I loved Nick's voice and the way he narrated his life. The giggles when describing something fun were awesome too. I found this a very relaxing read, great especially if you're walking outdoors, or doing any sort of activity outside. The only downside I found with the book is that before listening to it I was considering starting woodworking as a hobby, now I am aching to, and yet I can't, for another few months.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Greg
- 05-07-2019
Brilliant book for overall "how to live your life"
I liked Nick before, and now I love and want to read more books from him. I especially like how he recorded the book himself and it is a completely separate experience from reading "just the book". Highly recommended, not just for a casual listen!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall

- Amazon Customer
- 28-08-2018
If you like P&R this is similarly funny
great audio book the narration was fantastic coming from nick. I would highly reccomend it
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Amazon Customer
- 13-07-2014
Nick Offerman isn't Ron Swanson
Would you consider the audio edition of Paddle Your Own Canoe to be better than the print version?
I do not own the printed book, but it appears there is an abundance of visual matierial included within.
What did you like best about this story?
Autobiographies read by the author, have those little flourishes that they experienced at the time. Hearing Nick giggle as he repeated events from his past, if it's good enough for the author to laugh at it's fine in my book.
Which scene did you most enjoy?
The whole section on belief, in relation to others. The fact people will always confuse a character for an actor and having differing opinions is an almost constant
If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?
NOT RON SWANSON, the story of woodworker turned actor.
Any additional comments?
I highly recommend this to anyone who has enjoyed Nick Offerman's acting.
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- David Connor
- 26-05-2022
Puts the MAN in Offerman
Offerman continues to expand my vocabulary with every chapter of his autobiographical / advice column stylings.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- saul
- 18-05-2022
non conformist
the story of nick offerman also none as Ron Swanson, what a guy! I love his attitude to life and the way he reps loving a full life. a must listen for fans of parks and rec aswell as meat eating, wood working, performance arts and last but not least boobs
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- stonecoldantemery
- 17-05-2022
Offerman in Fine form
As a occasional fan, this was a great insight into Nick and his life. Hilarious in many areas, it teaches us all a lesson on how we could live a better life
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Thomas B.
- 16-04-2022
Great listen
great honest book, with wise words spoken with a right amount of humour intertwined.
16 Best Audiobooks by Aboriginal Authors
Across genres, there’s no shortage of brilliant titles from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander writers of Australia.



16 Audiobooks Full of Life Hacks to Live By
Looking to improve yourself mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually? This is where to start.



14 Feel-Good Audiobooks to Brighten Up Your Day
The Audible library is packed with feel-good audiobooks that will lighten the soul and fill the heart with joy.


