Canoeing the Missouri River is a happily written guide for people who dream of a long trek some day on the exciting and historic Missouri River. Written as both an active guidebook and an armchair read, Keith Drury makes a river trek come alive through the pages of his own day-by-day journal and in his detailed guidebook advice on the towns, re-supply points, and people along the way who help canoe trekkers. There is plenty of practical advice for the novice in his chapters on equipment and tips and hints, plus he sprinkles throughout the book just a pinch of philosophy -- not so much as to be an overbearing professor, but just enough to get the reader to think. The tale is also honest in outlining the difficulties of such a trek, and the emotional challenge of the "middle miles malaise." It is a great read for both the person planning to actually take a Missouri River trek, or for the armchair enthusiasts who enjoy reading trekking literature.