William D. Auman, Author
In his latest book, William D. Auman combines two long-time interests: being on the water and studying history. Pioneer Paddles of the Colonial South features 345 bodies of water in six states: North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida. “Stories accompany the selected paddles and include legendary pirates, the plight of Native Americans, epic frontiersmen and Revolutionary War battles,” Auman says. The book recently won an award from the Florida Authors and Publishers Association.
An Asheville resident, Auman has been paddling more than 50 years, since his parents gave him a boat at age 12. “When I am on the water, it is as if I enter a realm of time travel that frees my soul to bond with my surroundings,” he says.
Using that passion for paddling seemed like the natural means of exploring the history of places in his native South. “I have always felt a strong connection to nature and preserving that which remains so that future generations can likewise enjoy,” he says. “I have also been a history buff from my days as a youth and feel that it is important to understand and learn from the past in order to appreciate the present and plan appropriately for the future. It is my hope that readers will come away with a renewed appreciation for our shared colonial history and a desire to protect and enjoy the remaining wilderness areas that can best be accessed by canoe or kayak.”
Pioneer Paddles of the Colonial South, March 2026, history, paperback $19.95, e-book $8.95, by William D. Auman, and published by Mangrove Mountain Press. Upcoming events include a signing at Madco Brew House in Marshall on Saturday, September 5. Learn more at WilliamAuman.com.
