Edited by Alexandra McClanahan for The CIRI Foundation, A Reference In Time: Alaska Native History Day By Day is a unique presentation of the history of Alaska's Native American community. It is divided into sections corresponding to just about every day of every month, and each day lists those profound historical events that directly affected Alaska's native peoples as recorded through down through the years of modern history. For example, the entry for May 2 lists both an expedition dispatched by Russian explorer Grigorii Shelikhov in 1785 and the adoption of the (then) Territory of Alaska's official flag in 1927. A fascinating, expertly researched, succinctly chronological reference, and featuring an extensive index for ease of use, A Reference In Time is a unique and welcome addition to the growing library of Native American Studies supplemental reading materials and academic reference works.

This book is the most comprehensive of it's kind. It definitely demonstrates the richness of Alaska Native history. If you are an Alaska history buff, I recommend adding this title to your collection. It's a remarkable reference!

Return To The Misty Shores was the first of Ms. Leon's book I've read. It's a wonderful, well written Christian story. Since then I have read all of her following books and have found them as compelling, well written and full of great detail. Ms. Leon must spend much of her time on research as her settings and time frames are very accurate. They are mentally stimulating which makes it so easy to visuallize places, scenes and people. I find them hard to put down and highly reccomend her works.

couldn't put this book down. the story of a young christian girl torn between her parents and the man she loves. the story follws the consequences of making the wrong decision and not following your faith. strong reading and powerful storylines!

This is an amazing book. I felt sanctified every time I read in it. Everyone should read it. After all, the author is a martyr! It is a book written by a martyr about his spiritual father. Peace, love and joy flow into your heart with every word of this book.

There is no better book you could read to give you a heart-sense of Orthodox Christian sanctity. And the book is NOT out of print; Amazon's information is outdated. It was reprinted in 1999, so go ahead and order it!

St. Paul island, one of the remote Pribilof Islands far off the coast of mainland Alaska, is just 14 miles long and eight miles wide. For over a decade, the author worked, lived on, and came to love this place, its fierce weather, its wildlife, and its people. Her spare, imagistic prose illuminates the darkness and beauty of the subarctic landscape.

Alaska's Pribilof Islands are incredibly beautiful and surreal. Seven Words for the Wind captures a piece of that beauty through a series of essays and field notes. Having lived in the Pribilofs for four years I was most impressed by the thoughtful nature of this book as well as the insights provided by the author. I would highly suggest this book for anyone intending to visit the islands, see the seal or bird rookeries or just interested in learning about a different culture.

Nelson takes you inside the mind of the Inupiat Eskimo like no other author. It as if you are right there hunting on the pack ice, at fish camp, and picking berries.

Nelson has written an engaging account of the year round subsistence activities of the Inupiat Eskimos of Alaska. From whaling in skin boats to chasing caribou with a dog sled, Nelson takes readers into the every day life of people who have developed the skills to not only survive, but thrive, in one of the harshest environments on Earth--the Arctic.

Dunn takes the cake from the grave! While the Crook Society scrambles to promote the old faker Dr. Cook, and Bryce tries to sue Washburn for his book about the McKinley fraud we have Dunn's magnificent work back in print.

Skip the modern intro (how ridiculous!) as Dunn's razor sharp writing needs nothing added. Was Cook a fake? Of course! And far worse than that - he is seen here as a sociopath, a failure, a miserable little worm who couldn't lead a horse to water.

It is wonderful that publishers are putting books back in print such as this one, or the Denali (Deception, etc.) triple reprint. In addition to this group we now have Washburn's brilliant images that say more in a few photos than Bryce did in 100 pages.

A fascinating study of an expedition gone to [junk], by the man who taught everyone else how to "tell it like it is".

If you've read Krakauer's "Into Thin Air" you can only come away from reading "The Shameless Diary...." thinking how it must have been the model for the frankness and criticism he wrote of himself and his fellow climbers in his blockbuster Everest disaster story. Besides the no holds bared frankness of the author's daily reflections of the events of this expedition the reader is let into the authors inner mind as well as the levels of, what can only be considered, animal brutality required to actually complete such a journey, and, which could have only been common, yet previously unexposed, to all such expeditions of it's age.

Throughout the reading I was constantly contemplating how I could have stood up to the rawness of nature that these men withstood. My own meager climbs of the major peaks of the White Mountains of Vermont, and the high peaks of the Adirondacks and Catskill Mountains of New York all paled in comparison to what these men accomplished during any one day of this expedition. A recent winter day hike to Windham High Peak, NY now seems like a child's day in the sun in reflection.

This is the sort of book that forces one to be constantly making those sorts of comparisons.

This books wonderful photography brings back great memories of a fantastic fly in fishing trip with my son to Alaska. Up close and personal fishing with my son, the bears & Denali.

The books unusual (12x16), wide-open, landscape format is well-suited to the subject: the largest, most majestic state (and land) I've visited. Spectacular photos carefully edited from 11 photographers.

The cover (and back cover), 12x32, appropriate pays homage to Denali (Mt. McKinley), viewed from Wonder Lake. Plus numerous other views of Denali, and all Alaska's major regions, national parks, cities.

With plenty of thoughtful essays, also of high caliber. And at a great price...

This collection of essays is a set of ruminations on nature and the role people play in nature. Based on over 20 years of homesteading in Alaska, Haines ranges from concrete subjects such as trapping to more abstract matters such as the way ice forms in a river or snow falls in the woods. There are two features that stand out. First, this is essay writing that verges on poetry. The writing is spare and carefully chiseled and conveys a sense of the north country that is stunning. Second, unlike many nature writes, Haines views man as part of the environment in an unsentimental but powerful light. Haines is troubled by the need to kill animals for their fur, but he also views this as a part of nature. Haines is not as famous as writers such as Barry Lopez or Annie Dillard (perhaps because most of his opus is poetry), but there is no doubt he is a nature writer on par with the best.

I just discovered John Haines, as I am planning a vacation in Alaska and I am interested in the literature and poetry that is native to AK. Mr. Haines is very deep and real, and yet he seems to be able to tap into that shadow stuff that we all carry with us. Much of what he writes is initially disturbing, yet it is so real that I found it compelling enough to keep reading.It is almost like going to a Jungian therapist! If your willing to go deeper and not afraid of the shadows this book is well-worth exploring. His understanding of the natural world as a place devoid of our human judgements and associations is acutely genuine.

Straying Afar provides the reader with an exciting look at Human Nature around the world. While Maxey's 1st book "Overnight Stay" looks at the colorful spectrum of Human Nature, based on observations of the people who pass by the Maxey's Verona Beach, NY business at Oneida Lake - The DwarfLine Motel & Cottages - "Straying Afar.." continues this look at Human Nature as kind of a pseudo-sequel, not by looking at Humanity as it comes to the Maxey's, but rather it observes Humanity as the Maxey's travel out to the people at the far reaches of Planet Earth. From stormy voyages across raging, windswept seas to Antarctica; to the wild and beautiful coastline of Alaska; and on to the unique Asian cultures of far off Siberia, Japan, and Korea. While these places are far removed from Central NY, they still provide both a personal "one-on-one" setting, as well as a "grand view" of Humanity for the "Straying Afar" story. Over 110 photographs and maps assist the reader on this exciting, 316 page journey!

The book is divided into two sections; each defined by a voyage in the opposite direction from the other. The 1st trip is to the far south to Antarctica and its theme is man and his struggle and embrace with Nature. The 2nd trip is to the far north, then west and its theme is man and his struggle and embrace with HIMSELF.
"Straying Afar..." is a must read for anyone who seeks adventure and inspiration while satisfying a thirst for exploring the world around us. By sitting back in a comfortable chair with a copy of "Straying Afar...", one can go to the frozen remoteness of Antarctica after crossing a sea so stormy that just reading about it will put butterflies in the stomach. And as you join John Maxey on his adventures, you'll not just live the present day experiences, but you'll cross the barriers of time to the adventures and struggles of the ones who went before. But that is only half the excitement - after a short break, come back and follow John up to Alaska and then across an endless ocean to Siberia and the Orient. Experience the range of Humanity that exists around the Earth that is emerging into a new world of optimism, from the interpersonal encounters along the coastal way in Alaska to the Grand Awakenings of whole societies as they step over the fallen political barriers of another time in Siberia. All the while these dramas are played out against a backdrop of natural scenery so grand and beautiful it defies description.

I recommend this book to all!

Author W John Maxey has a new offering in the literary world. Straying Afar is not only a travel adventure story but can be classified as historical as the author while travelling through the areas where part of World WarII was fought recalls the days of the bitter conflict that took place, the struggles of the American Military might and the strong resolve displayed to defeat the enemy.

The author with his immediatre family aboard an ice cutter ship
braves the danger in Antarctica aboard the ship and views the beauty of the icebergs jutting to the diamond like peaks and walks among the penguins,birds and other inhabitants of this barren region of the world. Author Maxey is very family orientated and enjoys having his wife and children share in the adventures of travel and the mixing and viewing of the different cultures they witness on the cruise as well as airflights to different regions.

I have personally had the honor of conversing with this world traveler. He graciously shares the adventures and stories of their visits to these foreign places as well as visitng Alaska.

When I started reading this book I spent sometime looking at the unique cover, which I can only say is sensational. You couldn't put the book down as the author captures you from beginning to the end with content that isn't only adventuresome, but educational, historical, and a book that moves your mind into a craving for more of Author Maxey's travels. You feel that you were onboard the ice cutter rolling with the frigid waters and passing through the south Pacific you could almost hear and feel the impact of military combat. I recommend this book very highly. We need to hear more from you Mr. Maxey. Congratulations!!!

Bill Schoaf leads the reader thru a wonderful narration of working for the United States Forest Service as a timber sales planner, and how he tracked timber sales he prepared. He informs the reader of some states that have wonderful programs to plan and track timber sales that provide a minimum impact to the surrounding environment. Then he takes us to Southeast Alaska, the Tongass National Park, where he hoped would be the beginning of a new venture in his career with the USFS. This move for him signified the beginning of a nightmare that destroys those who only get in the way. Mr Schoaf is a man seeking for truth and feels the public deserves the truth. He puts his career on the line when he discovers the cover up in reports prepared by his supervisors on amount of timber available to be harvested and minimum impacts these reports claim. The reports leave out the irreversible harm done to the environment by habitat destruction, erosion, and turn around time for a second harvest. Wanting to correct these errors Mr. Schoaf provides proof to his supervisors of the incorrectness of the reports and tells of timber practices that are taking away timber for the following harvest by allowing timber companies to extend the harvest boundaries because environmental regulations requires boundaries around sensitive areas, which eliminates potential profit to the timber companies,who feel compensation should be provided in the form of these extended boundaries. Mr Schoaf then puts his reputation on the line Nationally by becoming a whistleblower. Being told that whistleblowers are protected his career ends at the USFS, not because he was not doing his job, but because he did his job the way one would expect and was raked over the coals by the Federal Government. The environmental groups whom he listed as allies would turn out to be full of hot air. Mr Schoaf continued his mission after he left the USFS by commenting on timber Sales that were planned and informing the public via his book. Mr Schoaf restores the faith I have in humans but tarnishes my faith in leaders we have elected who stopped looking at what is best for the people but what fits their agendas. It is not the individual loggers who are to blame for this but the corporations and public officials who allowed the practice to continue and lied to the people of Southeast Alaska about the amount of timber economically and environmentally available for harvest. I only hope this book encourages more honesty, integrity, and pride we have when protecting natural resources because these resources finite and they are part of the Pulic Trust Doctrine, which requires protection of resources that are held in common.

The Taking of the Tongass is one of those rare books about environmental issues that doesn't sink into the rhetoric of either side. Instead Shoaf allows us to understand his personal relationship with the Tongass, one of the world's most amazing forests. Shoaf was in charge of the largest timber sale ever yet had the integrity to challenge his own sale when he discovered it was unsustainable. He takes us through his realization and all the backlash against him, sharing complex feelings about the preservation of both an ecosystem and a way of life for the Alaska logger. This book is powerful because it is so honest. As a reader I could sense how much Shoaf cares for the Tongass and how much he believed in the Forest Service. I could feel his disappointment when he realized the Forest Service was lying to the public. This book made me angry but it also made me proud. As citizens, we hope our government won't lie to us. But sometimes they do and it makes me feel good to know that some people will put their lives on the line to speak the truth.