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Where the Falcon Flies

A 3,400 Kilometre Odyssey from My Doorstep to the Arctic

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Where the Falcon Flies

Written by: Adam Shoalts
Narrated by: Adam Shoalts
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About this listen

#1 NATIONAL BESTSELLER
WINNER OF THE 2024 NATIONAL OUTBOOK AWARD FOR JOURNEYS
SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2024 SPEAKER'S BOOK AWARD
FINALIST FOR THE BANFF MOUNTAIN BOOK COMPETITION FOR ADVENTURE TRAVEL

From Canada’s most accomplished adventurer and storyteller comes a gripping journey into the vastness of Canada’s landscape and history.


Looking out his porch window one spring morning, Adam Shoalts spotted a majestic peregrine falcon flying across the neighbouring fields near Lake Erie. Each spring, falcons migrate from southernmost Canada to remote arctic mountains. Grabbing his backpack and canoe, Shoalts resolved to follow the falcon’s route north on an astonishing 3,400-kilometre journey to the Arctic.

Along the way, he faces a huge variety of challenges and obstacles, including storms on the Great Lakes, finding campsites in the urban wilderness of Toronto and Montreal, avoiding busy commercial freighter traffic, gale force winds, massive hydroelectric dams, bushwhacking without trails, dealing with hunger, multiple bear encounters, and navigating white-water rapids on icy northern rivers far from any help.

In his signature style, Shoalts roams as much across space as he does time, winding his way through a stunning diversity of landscapes ranging from lush Carolinian forests to lonely windswept mountains, salty seas to trackless swamps, pristine lakes to glittering mega-cities, as well as the sites of long ago battles, shipwrecks, forgotten forts, and abandoned trading posts. Through his travels, he reveals how interconnected wild places are, from the loneliest depths of the northern wilderness to busy urban parks, and the vital importance of these connections.

Where the Falcon Flies invites readers on an extraordinary armchair adventure that spans five ecoregions and centuries of fascinating history, and is a masterwork by one of Canada’s most successful and audacious authors.

©2023 Adam Shoalts (P)2023 Allen Lane
Adventurers, Explorers & Survival Professionals & Academics World Adventure Polar Region Outdoor Camping
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What the critics say

“For most of us, the expression “as the crow flies”—or, in this case, peregrine falcon—is usefully descriptive. Not so for adventurer-historian Shoalts. . . .”
The Globe and Mail

“An exceptionally fine writer as well as adventurer, Shoalts knows how to keep you turning the pages, whisking you along, every paddle stroke of the way.”
—National Outdoor Book Awards

“Epic. . . . fighting gale-force winds and plunging into freezing water . . . this trip was like no other.”
The Hamilton Spectator

“Adam Shoalts has famously explored the Arctic, created A History of Canada in Ten Maps, and now in Where the Falcon Flies, reveal[s] the interconnectedness between landscape and nature.”
Toronto Star

“A tremendous trek. . . . Shoalts has perpetually melded history, geography, anthropology, and storytelling to bring Canadians into his canoe. . . . the charity and kindness of complete strangers Shoalts meets along the way becomes an enduring theme in the book. It is inspiring to read how, in these days of great division in our society, a single adventurer paddling down a river or tromping down a logging road can bring out the best in people.”
—Winnipeg Free Press

What listeners say about Where the Falcon Flies

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An incredible Canadian adventure

Adam not only shares a magnificent story so close to home, but also delivers historically significant lessons about the land that we and all our creatures share. I recommend this book to anyone with a sense of adventure, love of paddling or peregrine falcons, and for those wanting a deep connection with the land.

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As always, an amazing adventure with Shoalts!

Another great book by one of Canadas best adventurers, with a talent to bring you along with him on his journey.

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Wondrous and brave

A wondrous and brave journey. It is thrilling to travel vicariously through Adam’s rich and worldly adventures. I enjoy feeling the beauty, grandiosity and challenges of our Canadian landscapes. Thank you for honoring and sharing these epic adventures. !!

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Another great adventure!

Nice to break away from day to day life … thank you Adam for taking us along on your Canadian canoeing adventure, you have a descriptive way with words!

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Such Inspiration

I loved how Adam added historical points throughout the trip. Adam did an amazing job at conveying his adventure. This book truely shows that people are good.

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It's an epic adventure!

This book was difficult to put down!

When starting the book, I was expecting a retelling strictly of the adventure to the Arctic, but I was pleasantly surprised by all the history intermixed within the adventure.

Adam is definitely living a dream many of us have had and is truly an inspiration.

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Captivating adventure!

Another great book by Adam! He is a great story teller, and his adventures are captivating to listen too! I look forward to the next one!

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Inspiring

Adam’s recollection of this journey to the arctic is truly inspiring. His well written anecdotes and history tidbits make the read enjoyable and thought provoking. A must read for any Canadian or adventurer.

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if you are a paddler or historian, this is for you

great story, loved it.. just noted a repeat of a section early on in chapter 6.

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Awesome Adventure!

This is a wonderful adventure that is overflowing with geographical, and historical information. The historical flows from paddling past specific locations of importance and the telling of the locations past. The geographical information is a constant as the authors travels from, and through, huge cities, small towns, villages, and remote communities, all the way to the Arctic. It's also great that the people/strangers along the way, that are truly part of the story, are include in the tale.
Well done, and well told. Thanks.
P.S. It would be lovely if Audible would include a PDF of the books photos as are included in some Audible books.

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