5 comments about Way Out Here: Modern Life in Ice-Age Alaska.

1. His first book, Edges of the earth was amazing. So I thought this book would be a terrific sequal. Was I wrong. He complains and whines throughout the entire book. The story goes nowhere. A far cry from his first novel. Don't waste your time with this book if you are interested in life in Alaska, read his first book if you can get your hands on it (I know it is out of print). It is full of passion and drama.



2. The main difference between this book and Leo's first one is the degree of "personal" he gives it. In the first one, we read his reactions, emotions and dreams, his failures and victories, and especially his love for his girlfriend and son. In this second book, there's lots of beautiful Alaska, descriptions of animals, weather, struggles for survival, but none of the human touch. I wanted to read a sequel to the first book, to see how Rick's life turned out, but this isn't it. He barely refers to his wife (a native woman?), and his kids buzz around like the mosquitoes instead of being the center of his life. What happened Rick?? Did 15 (now 20) years in the bush harden you that much? Please write another book that fills in the gaps!



3. After completing this book, I found myself eager to read other stories of grit and determination in the wilderness. This led to books about sailing and shipwrecks, homesteading and exploration, dogsledding and extreme sports. . . until I got the "adventure obsession" out of my system.

   I read this several years ago, and still rave about it to anyone who will listen. It touched me that much. Now, having recently purchased a used copy of Leo's first book about his life in Alaska, "Edges of the Earth/a Man, a Woman, a Child in the Alaskan Wilderness", and reading not-so-great reviews of this book, I can't wait to read "Edges. . ."

   Leo's descriptions of the flora and fauna, almost incomprehensible amounts of snow, and the glory of the northern sky are truly inspirational, and touched me on a very deep level.

   Truly a worthwhile read.




4. I breezed through this in an afternoon, but alas found nothing I was looking for after enjoying the first book. Since I wrote a book (Alaska Tales 2001) about my numerous excursions to Alaska over the same period albeit earlier than Leo (1976) to the same area around Talkeetna and points north including the Brooks Range, I really expected more insight and journalistic inquiry in to the area and the people. Some of them I'm sure I remember, but none are recognized here.
   
   I mean how many times can one describe the trail in and out of the cabin? This descriptive quickly turned circular from snow to flood to bugs to freeze-up and again. Even the trips away from the homestead are nothing more than brief summaries.
   
   I wanted to know about his new wife, first son Janus, first wife Melissa, and how in the hell does he scrape together the few thousand dollars to live there, still? Certainy not from these books. What? I'm afraid there just isn't enough going on to chronicle in the limited field of vision from the ridge above Petersville road. There could be if Leo paid more visits to his neighbors and read some John McPhee as a primer. That's how it's done. This clearly isn't.



5. anyone who seeks the deeper meaning in life inevitably entertains the notion of leaving it all behind and heading into the woods. and in doing so, one comes to the conclusion that community and family are paramount to a fulfilling life.
   with beautiful zen oriented imagery and a compelling narrative voice that might drive you into the wilds yourself, this book has stuck with me for years.

1 comments about National Geographic Guide to America's Outdoors: Alaska (NG Guide to America's Outdoor).

1. Goo

1 comments about Two Wheels Two Countries One Dream.

1. Saying too much only gives it all away....
   I am positive Mr. Murphy has meticulously researched and put in tremendous effort to bring about the ideas he wants his readers to experience in - Two wheels Two countries One dream.
   I sure hope all you bikers around the world will go through this book at least once in your lifetime!
   For those who are not into reading....it's time you pulled off the Freeway and let this Journey show you how......
   Thanks.....a ton Daniel!

1 comments about Kodiak: Alaska's Emerald Isle.

1. Everything you always wanted to know about Kodiak - and more. Excellent photography that covers one of the worlds largest islands in the last Temporal Rainforest...all 400+ miles of it.
   
   Covers the communities located on Kodiak, as well as activities and annual events specific to each location and the many species of wildlife for viewing. Engaging text that delivers in a local fashion.
   
   Anyone interested in visiting or learning more about Kodiak, Alaska should have this book!

No comments about Real Alaska: Finding Our Way in the Wild Country.

No comments about Umbrella Guide to Alaska's Wilderness Highway/Traveling the Dalton Road (Umbrella Guides).

2 comments about Chilkoot Pass: The Most Famous Trail in the North.

1. Mr. Satterfield's guide to the Chilkoot has the ring of authenticity: a reader is convinced that he has been over every inch of the trail. It is well-written and thorough, and offers the right blend of historical minutia (though not so detailed as Pierre Berton's writing) and practical hiking advice. My own copy is well-worn from many Chilkoot miles.



2. This book provides a pretty decent history of the Chilkoot Pass and its usages during the Klondike Gold Rush era. In fact most of the book geared around the historical part of the Chilkoot although if anyone wishes to real a great book, Pierre Berton's Klondike: the Life and Death of the Last Gold Rush is definitely superior.

   But I was basically looking at the book as guide to hike the actual trail. Having read the lastest version of this book and having hiked the Chilkoot Pass several times by now, I found the trail guide to be somewhat dated and rather uninformative. The basic details seem to be there but it looked like many of the information came second handed.

   Book remains a pretty good introductary effort but I would recommended further research before hiking the trail.

3 comments about Outside in the Interior: An Adventure Guide for Central Alaska.

1. First a disclaimer: I was paid to be the copy editor for this book; however, I have nothing to gain financially from book sales. That said, I think this is a great book. In fact, I wanted to write a book like this, but Kyle beat me to the punch. I'm glad he did such a good job. A book about trails in interior Alaska has been needed for a long time. I would have been really disappointed if this had been a mediocre book.
   
   I am a lifelong Alaskan and trail user who has lived in Fairbanks since 1989. I know the trails in this area well and for the past year or so have written an e-newsletter called Interior Trails Quarterly. I mountain bike, ski, hike, run, snowshoe, and do a little canoeing.
   
   This book is the first attempt I know of to gather information about many different trails and treks from across the Interior. There is information out there, but it is scattered in many different places. You learn about many trails simply by talking to people, browsing the web, or by watching for articles in local publications. Outside in the Interior brings together much of that information in a well-organized, attractive package.
   
   I am impressed with the variety of trails and routes Kyle selected. Interior Alaska is big, so there are many trips from which to choose. Kyle has brought together some classic trips as well ones that are lesser known. He even included a few packraft trips, which are combined hiking/rafting trips using a raft that weighs just a few pounds and, deflated, easily fits in or on a pack. The addition of packraft trips adds another layer of variety to the book.
   
   Kyle's trip descriptions are accurate and have useful information about such things as camping areas and general trail conditions. His directions for getting to the trip start are also accurate, which is very important because many of these trips don't have developed trailheads or riverside put-ins. Lack of trailhead development is common in interior Alaska.
   
   The book has many photos, which are a nice addition. They give you a good idea of what you might find on the trips, such as trail conditions and scenery.
   
   The DeLorme maps are visually pleasing and useful. For the most part they are accurate, however, some extraneous roads and trails are inaccurate, as are some water body boundaries. I am a bit disappointed by DeLorme. This well-known mapping company should have more accurate information. Fortunately, the information needed for the trips is accurate, so the inaccurate map information is mainly just annoying.
   
   As a whole this book is an excellent resource for anyone wanting to explore the trails and beyond in interior Alaska. I highly recommend it.



2. Lots of great hikes, climbs, floats, bike trips, etc. The directions are good. I was born and raised here and there are the old favorites and a few that I hadn't heard of before. The maps are great, and each page is glossy, its a really nice book.



3. As a relative newcomer to the Interior I looked and looked for a single comprehensive list of trails in the area. I was disappointed by the information available from the many sources I expected to get information from (parks depts, hiking clubs, etc). When I heard about this book I immediately went out to find it and was not disappointed. A great collection of trails/trips if you're you're looking for established hiking areas. The descriptions have proven accurate and are worth reading before hitting the trail. The book is put together and organized well making it simple to find trails for the area you are interested in (the Interior is a HUGE place).
   I am disappointed in the DeLorme maps; they are visually appealing but lacking accurate detail for serious hikers. I also would have liked to have GPS coordinates included for trailheads and key sections of trails (intersections, bypasses, points of interests, etc).
   Overall, this is an excellent reference for those wanting to find (and hike) the major, and some lessor, trails while in the Interior and I use it regularly.

2 comments about Diamonds in the Rough.

1. This is a very good book about different teams in the Alaska Baseball League. In talks about each team and their players and also talks of the history of the league.



2. Lew Freedman wrote one of the better books in baseball history as he traces the history of Alaskan baseball (bush league in its finest form) from the territorial days to the turn of the century. What make this book so interesting is that it also spotlights on many of the players who used to played in Alaska during its short summer seasons who later on became big time Major League players like Mark McGwire, Dave Kingman and Randy Johnson. But overall, the main focus of the book remains on baseball in Alaska, the history of the teams, players and coaches along with some of it more eccentric fans. It may be that some of the players we see in Anchorage today during the summer season, may be a future Hall of Famer.

   The book comes highly recommended for anyone interested in baseball history or enjoyed baseball in general.

No comments about Alaska, Annual Travel Issue: The Alaska We Love, February 2008 Issue.