Book Description

It’s 1950, and Ben and Harry, two young men from Wisconsin, know their fun is about to come to an end. Ben will soon depart for the war in Korea while Harry will hit the books as a college freshman. They decide to end the summer on a high note with what will certainly be an adventurous canoe trip to Lake Superior, known to the Chippewa as Gitche Gumee. On the way to Gitche Gumee, they row through terrifying rapids, fend off a ferocious black bear, and catch some of the biggest trout they’ve ever seen in their lives. Encounters with a group of thieves, a few rambunctious girls from a local university, and intimidating businessmen also help them pass the time as they paddle down the Firesteel River. Fifty years later, Ben and Harry decide to recreate their trip to Gitche Gumee. Once again, they pack their bags, ready their canoe, and set out for what they’re sure will be another unforgettable adventure. This time, however, the two men experience a completely different trip. They fish, hunt, and explore as they did when they were younger, but soon realize that their friendship—and the river—is not as they remember it. Skyhorse Publishing, as well as our Arcade, Yucca, and Good Books imprints, are proud to publish a broad range of books for readers interested in fiction—novels, novellas, political and medical thrillers, comedy, satire, historical fiction, romance, erotic and love stories, mystery, classic literature, folklore and mythology, literary classics including Shakespeare, Dumas, Wilde, Cather, and much more. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are committed to books on subjects that are sometimes overlooked and to authors whose work might not otherwise find a home.