In the Ozarks, where usefulness counts heavily, the blunt-ended johnboat evolved as a craft to help hunters, trapper, and fishermen with their livelihoods. Although models resembling the original are now made of either aluminum or fiberglass and are sold in areas far beyond the Ozarks, the old way of building johnboat is still followed by Farrel Dablemont, a lifetime Ozarks riverman. His son, Larry Dablemont, has recorded in step-by-step photographs and text the time-honored way of building a johnboat. Complete working drawings are included. And the younger Dablemont, who has also spent years on the rivers of the Ozarks, weaves in lore about how the johnboat was used in the early days and how it is used today. This the book for the reader who aspires to build a johnboat for himself in the old way or who simply wants the armchair enjoyment of reading about this element of authentic Americana.