Defines historical fur-trade canoe routes, linking them where necessary with modern landmarks and roads, and describing their general condition today where they have been changed.

A rich history of Canadian wilderness travel, "an utterly compelling collection," said The Globe and Mail, and "a gem – it absolutely sparkles," according to Canadian Geographic. Declared by the Canadian Historical Association to be the best book published of its year on the regional history of Canada’s North. With essays by William C. James, C.E.S. Franks, George Luste, Margaret Hobbs, John Jennings, Shelagh Grant, Gwyneth Hoyle, Bruce W. Hodgins, Jamie Bendickson, Craig Macdonald, Jean Murray Cole, John Marsh and John Wadland.

"Key words and phrases: canoe, kilometres, Bella Coola, Lake Winnipeg, Avoch, Ottawa River, La Loche, Saskatchewan, Buffalo Narrows, Grease Trail, Thunder Bay, North West Company, Hudson Bay Company, Williston Lake, Mackenzie River, Terrace Bay, Beaufort Sea, Ojibwa, Seaforth Highlanders, metres"--GoogleBooks.