From a renowned boat builder and Southern raconteur comes a wryly humorous journey through a life lived on the water and the lessons learned along the way. While still a young boy, Robb White built his first boat, hewn from the tin roof of an abandoned chicken coop in the backyard -- stamping and primping it into shape, then testing it out in the back creek. Today, without any formal training, White constructs some of the most sought after small wooden boats around. This colorful portrait of the author's life invites readers into his special world -- a world uncluttered by computers, telephones, and rush orders. With chapters such as "Seagull: In which I learn not to be so gullible" and "The canned ham incident: In which I did not participate, so hurrah for the other side," White shares some of his wisdom gained from boat-building. Here as well are tall tales of a childhood spent exploring the Gulf of Mexico, and lessons learned from having his own family. Both wise and entertaining, How to Build a Tin Canoe will find a place on the shelves of readers who love Bailey White (the author's sister), Roy Blount, and Garrison Keillor. "My family has been passing around dog-eared copies of these stories for years. My brother Robb is one of the funniest and liveliest writers I know, and I am delighted to think the rest of the world is about to find this out." --Bailey White