Crusoe of Lonesome Lake

My father gave me this book a number of years ago. It is a hardcover version dating back to the late 50s. Early in my career, I travelled extensively in the portions of British Columbia that are the setting of this biography, and so I found it especially fascinating. The old saying "truth is stranger than fiction" is at least partly applicable here. It isn't so much that the truth is strange as that the truth is almost impossible to believe in this story. That this diminutive man, Ralph Edwards, could single-handedly carve out a life for himself in the Canadian wilderness a week's hike from his nearest neighbors is the setting for this true story by former Reader's Digest editor, Leland Stowe. It is a man-versus-wilderness tale that reads almost like a novel, but is all the more fascinating because it is true. It is very moving in places and I actually wept at Edwards' tenacity in overcoming odds that were not just improbable, they seemed utterly impossible. It is a story of what one man can do when he sets his mind to it, and all except the comatose will find this a deeply touching story of courage and perserverance. Not only did the man build a house and a self-sustaining farm, but an airstrip, airplane, barn, electric power generator, and much more. I highly recommend this book as one of the most inspirational I have ever encountered. You'll read about a man who really thought of himself as nothing special, yet overcame insurmountable odds to create the life he wanted with little more than his own two hands and the natural resources that surrounded him. The book reads as though it was written yesterday, not 50 years ago, and you would be well advised not to deprive yourself of this magnificently moving story. Interesting Facts: Apparently the book was quite a hit when it was first released back in the late 1950s, and put "Lonesome Lake" British Columbia on the map, even though it might as well have been the North Pole in its inaccessiblity. To this day, BC attracts many visitors to its Tweedsmuir Provincial Park based on the legendary exploits of the humble Ralph Edwards of Loneseome Lake. Edwards died in the early 1970s and was commemorated by the BC provincial government for his work in saving the Trumpeter Swan from near extinction by nurturing and feeding the flock at Lonesome Lake. His work with these magnificent creatures is discussed at length in the book. A sequel, "Ralph Edwards of Lonesome Lake" by Ed Gould, details Edwards' latter years. In particular, Edwards lived out the last few years of his life in civilization, while his wife remained on the homestead at Lonesome Lake. Edwards' daughter Trudy homesteaded in the area just as her father, and continued his legacy of caring for the Trumpeter Swans. She wrote a book of her own under her married name (Trudy Turner) detailing her experiences. The book is titled "Fogswamp: Living with Swans in the Wilderness." Edwards' son, John, still conducts wilderness tour

There was a time when people thrived in living among, not against, nature. There was a time when people reveled in a world without television, mobile (or cellular) phones, television or computers. Sorry messers Gates, Jobs, et al, there really was such a time!Ralph Williams's story seems now to be only great fiction, for his feats are every bit as phenomenal as are those now shown on the big screen. Still, even though they may seem to be fiction, I can assure you they are most certainly true. Furthermore, great as they were, his successes were not that far different from many other folks of that time.My grandfather emigrated to North America from Norway about the same time Williams moved to Canada's British Columbia. In fact, while he trapped in B.C. Grandfather may well have met Williams. Anyway, grandfather married after a few years and moved to California where he tried to homestead a quarter section that is now part of a famous ranch on a fork of the Kern River in the Sierra Nevada mountain range.Alas, the Great Depression happened along and Grandpa was told by his kin to either homestead, or stay working at their glass factory in South Gate in southeast Los Angeles. For the sake of his family he gave up the homestead and told fellow homesteaders goodbye.That winter a terrible blizzard struck the homesteaders. Grandpa raced his motorcycle the few hundred miles to the foothills of the mountains. He then cross-country ski'd food to the stranded folks - covering a distance of 17 miles from valley floor (perhaps 2,000 foot elevation) to the farmers at some 8,000 foot high. Such a feat is reminiscent of Williams in this great classic Crusoe of Lonesome Lake.After you read this book, get a copy of Three Against The Wilderness by Eric Collier. Both titles are worthy of collection and reading time and again!

As a teenager (a few decades ago) this book, like no other, appealed to my sense of adventure and love of the outdoors. The passion and persistence with which Mr. Edwards crafted his dreams were a lingering source of inspiration to me. I have purchased several used copies of this book and given them to each of my three sons as well as relatives and friends - all of whom have loved the book!

Crusoe of Lonesome lake was one of the most inspiring books of determination and adventure I have ever read, of how a person if he wants to bad enough can with a few necessary tools make a comfortable home out of a rugged wilderness,find true love and successively raise a family,no matter what may happen.Using hard work, determination, faith in God,spouse,and right princibles for yourself.

I have great admiration for the main character in Crusoe of Lonesome Lake. He accomplished more in one day of his everyday chores than some accomplish in a lifetime. He used his own two hands and built his dreams out in the wilderness on his own. He lived off the land and it was his land.