Robert J. Kennedy's walk to Alaska is one of the most exciting adventures of all time. His humor, honesty, humility and courage will touch the reader deeply. The book's style is uniquely cryptic, but enjoyable once you get used to it.

No matter what goes wrong, Kennedy maintains an upbeat attitude at all times. His conversations with his buddy Ty, who came to visit Kennedy three times during the walk, are truly delightful and insightful. Several times in the book I was moved to tears. And many more times I found myself laughing out loud.

Kennedy strikingly lacks the crudeness often found in other adventurers. His ineptness is also unique among adventurers, but that only endears him further.

I strongly recommend this book for readers of all ages. Kennedy's story proclaims loudly that chivalry still lives; and it also has a sense of humor.

That so many things could go wrong during a 5-month walk is almost incredible. But the book documents the events with great detail. The reader often feels he or she is right there walking alongside. Or crawling alongside, in some cases.

The bear encounter is truly gripping, due mainly to its remote and dark setting.

Buy this book, but don't expect it to be anything like any other adventure book you have ever read. This is a spiritual journey as well as a physical and romantic one.

I cannot recommend any book more highly.

One of the key events of the "Forgotten War" in the Aleutians was the Japanese attack on Dutch Harbor; the first combat on U.S. soil since the Civil War. So threatening was it considered that it was kept secret from the American public lest it cause panic on the West Coast.
Rourke examines the attack and its significance with maps, charts, photos, documents, and memoirs by participants on both sides, giving a clear picture of all aspects of the battle, its planning and aftermath. The reader who wants more information about the ground forces, however, may wish to consult "The Williwaw War", by Goldstein and Dillon, (University of Arkansas Press), which details the experiences of Arkansas National Guard and other soldiers present.

(The "score" rating is an ineradicable feature of the page. This reviewer does not "score" books).

In 1983 in the village of Anvik, a young Eskimo boy, Kano, must overcome his fear of hunting alone. Story explains how Kano overcomes his fear against the small pox and learns much from his elder. A story of facing one's fears while growing up in Alaska.

My brother traveled to Alaska 13 times on a motorcycle to research information and numerious times to Washington, DC. (also on a motorcycle ) to gather data for this book. The Freedom of Information Act allowed him to gain access to files necessary to verify the stories he heard from the Alutes. Testimonial: I have been evacuated from, Cambodia, Vietnam,& Saudia Arabia. I can tell you that,It's no fun! All my evacuations are nearly identacial to what happened to the Alutes, only much,much severe!!

Where Mountains Meet the Sea : Alaskas Gulf Coast, No. 1 is a very impressive presentation of Alaska's rugged and wild west coast and some of Alaska's more placid bay communities. There are some pictures here, many taken by low-flying aircraft, which allow one a rare, but very clear and close-up glimpse of some of these ends-of-the-earth regions. There is abundant text regarding specific areas, such as the Prince William Sound, Sitka, Kodiak, and an incredible section on Yakutat. And no corners are cut when focusing in on the people of the region; There are some great early and more recent pictures and literature concerning the Aleut, Russian and American traders, trappers, fishermen, and natives of the past and present (but keep in mind this book was released in the mid-eighties, I believe, so is only current as of fifteen or so years ago).

The photographs of the islands really will take you there- to those beautiful, fresh air natural places far off in another realm. And if you happen to be a surfer, there is enough in this book to stir the imagination. There are some intriguing photos of the beach areas at Yakutat- one which shows the left point break firing off in the distance. I'd liek to explore Icy Bay and along the Mt. St. Elias perimeter. But keep in mind this is surfing only for the most hardcore: Massive tides which flow in an out of flood-basins while great plains of quicksand sprawl out across tidal zones; Huge Aleutian swells and tsunamis are in the equation, as is ice-cold water, aggressive bears, aggressive prehistoric-looking sharks and salmon sharks that can swim 60 MPH. There are isolated coasts in the path of brutal storms and impossibly strong currents. Still, if one knows the right season and where to look, one may find epic, uncrowded surf (point, beach, reef, and bay-openings) in a breathtaking environment and the possibilty of finding more 100 foot waves. There are multiple Maverick's set-ups up there, and in the direct line of our biggest winter swells! Its truly a new frontier.

Where the Echo Began covers oral traditions from Southwest Alaska, recorded by Hans Himmelheber and observing the life patterns of the southwestern Alaskan peoples as observed by a young university graduate who recorded their lives. Where the Echo Began features the translated contents of Himmelheber's notes, with the editor's notes and discussion of his role as an observer supplementing excellent observations of native peoples. Black and white photos round out the presentation.

This pocketsize beginner's spiral-bound field guide is both useful, utilitarian, and beautiful. The cardstock paper is coated to protect against the omni-present NW drizzle, so you can take it with you when doing plant searches. Her 3 1/2" by 5" photos are some of the best I have seen. They are clear and plainly show important identifying details of the plants. She also lists the Tlingit names for some of the plants, and has a personable, straighforward writing style. She has both Volume 1 and 2. Both are excellent. ...

This is a book written by one of the true characters of Alaska. The book is filled with helpful tips for planning a trip down many of Alaska's great waterways by a man, who in many cases, was one of the first to navigate the rivers described in the book. There are pictures and some maps included which can be helpful. You should be warned that the books classifications for whitewater may be a bit understated. Sepp's idea of a class 5 is "just a few waves." All in all a very good guidebook to Alaska rivers.

Williwaw takes place in the Aleutian Islands of Alaska during World War II. The main action takes place during a freak, intense wind storm the eskimos call a "williwaw," it whips down off the coastal mountains and causes havoc, freak seas, etc. Gore Vidal, in this, his first novel (1946), creates a wonderful Joseph Conradian feel as tensions mount aboard a army transport ship making a weekly run. I don't want to spoil the ending. There is (I thought) a very CLIMACTIC moment when the tensions among the crew rise to their heights just as the williwaw hits, and - something happens. The serious tone and cool style of this book I found admirable. As a war novel I liked it as much as the ver different Joseph Heller's "Catch-22," and the lyrical, Tennessee Williams-like John Horne Burns' novel "The Gallery," while I liked it more so than Mailer's "Naked and the Dead" - which I liked for its themes and observations, I just wish Mailer could have (in my opinion) skipped the repetition and saved about 400 pages.

Immediately bringing us to a remote, Aleutian island during World War II, The Wind is Not a River is a powerful tale, richly textured by the environment and culture in which it is set. The story is not a simple "adventure" story, as some summaries have purported; the plot is strikingly complex.

The characters, so true to life, are struggling with the echoing words of their grandmother, as they try to escape the Japanese invasion of their village. Their physical challenges are compounded by a profound questioning of ethics. What should they do when they find an unconscious, Japanese soldier? Is their freedom more valuable than their humanity?

For teachers, this story is a fine centerpiece to an interdisciplinary unit on the tundra, providing an accurate look at our generous, sensitive, and courageous neighbors to the north. A must for any teacher serious about providing his/her students with a critical and inspiring education.