It's not too often that a book of nature photographs gets to fuel a congressional debate or lead to the Smithsonian being accused of being politicized but this book has done that.

Subhankar Banerjee, an engineer from India, took these pictures because he wanted to move public opinion to save the coastal plain adjacent to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge as a wild place. This book was displayed on the floor of Congress by a debating Senator who agreed with Banerjee. Shortly thereafter the Smithsonian, which had scheduled a showing of Banerjee's pictures in the museum's main hall, moved the pictures to a far less desirable location and cut the captions to almost nothing. Accusations of political tampering have been flying fast and furious since then.

There is little doubt that this is a book of advocacy. From the introduction by President Jimmy Carter to essays by the Pulitzer Prize winning nature writer Peter Matheson and bird artist Allen Sibley, among others, the book makes a plea for preservation of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, with particular note of strong attacks on the refuge by forces supporting the petroleum industry.

The various essays describing travels in the refuge will be of interest to those who enjoy reading about trips through the great outdoors, although you have to be ready for a big dose of anti-oil rhetoric. However, I expect that no one who reads this book will be a strong supporter of the energy industry, so that much of the writing will be preaching to the converted.

I can be counted as supporting preservation of the refuge, and I'd love to give this book a high rating, but I thought there were far too many pages of essays and not enough pictures. And, ultimately I think this book must be judged by the author's photographs. Unfortunately the photos are of only of so-so quality.

Some of Banerjee's shots are spectacular, like those of herds of oxen against the midnight sun. Others are as subtle as the textures of the refuge itself, like the pictures of lichens growing on rocks. But most of the pictures are straight forward record shots with little sophistication. They provide information but not inspiration. Banerjee is not a great photographic artist. If that's what you want get Art Wofe's book of highly saturated, incredibly composed photographs, "Alaska". Wolfe's picture of a single Dall Sheep looks majestic. Banerjee's looks, well, moth-eaten. Banerjee's shot of a herd of Dall Sheep is a bunch of sheep in a green field. Wolfe's is an environmental photo of a herd amongst precipitous mountains.

If you want a book dedicated exclusively to the refuge, and you want to show support for the refuge, and it's not important that you have great pictures to inspire you, you may want this book. Otherwise, look elsewhere for great photography of the refuge.

Some amazing photos, I think the photographer got an award for one of them. The pictures speak of a land serene, pure, open. The photographer also lived in Artic village and managed to communicate the integrity of the native way of life and nature. The writing peaces are very strong! Excellent book!

As an occasional visitor and fan of the high Arctic, I found the photographs of the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) in this book to be among the most beautiful images of the Arctic that I have seen -- whether with my own eyes or in pictures. The photographs of the land and wildlife as well as the accompanying essays by the photographer and some of the leading nature writers of our day, all speak eloquently for full protection of this great wilderness. In particular, that the controversial Coastal Plain area should be granted wilderness status and thus permanently protected from industrial development.

In my opinion, this book is environmental advocacy in its finest form. As always, advocacy is controversial. Another "reviewer" of this book, Senator Ted Stevens of Alaska, who is an avid supporter of oil drilling in the Refuge said in a Senate speech "This book is pure propaganda."

Developing and preserving the more than 500 National Wildlife Refuges have been contentions political issues since Theodore Roosevelt established the first one in 1903. There have been continual battles between using the Refuges for activities such as mining, military exercises, grazing, and use of motorized vehicles and their primary purpose of protecting wildlife. In that sense, the ongoing ANWR debate is "simply" the latest and best known of a long series of struggles between development and conservation in the Refuges. (The recently published Smithsonian Book of National Wildlife Refuges contains an excellent account of this history.)

The case for development can be quantified in terms of dollars and cents, jobs, and taxes to be collected. By contrast, the case for conservation is impossible to quantify. It depends on softer almost spiritual arguments -- demonstrating the value of natural beauty; understanding that preservation of the diversity of all species is almost certainly crucial to the preservation of our own, and preserving for future generations small portions of the planet untrammeled by man.

Reconciling these objectives for the ANWR is ultimately a matter of judgement for it's guardians -- the American people and their elected representatives. To decide wisely we need to be informed about the land and the issues that surround it. Thus I encourage you to buy (or borrow from your library) this important book, read it, and share with your fellow citizens what you have learned.

If you are a dog lover who enjoys adventure and the outdoors, then "Walking My Dog, Jane: From Valdez to Prudhoe Bay Along the Trans-Alaska Pipeline" is a must read.

This was a book that I could not put down, I was always curious what adventure Ned Rozell and Jane (his chocolate lab) would encounter next. My curiosity was heightened by Rozell's brilliant writing style, in which he makes you feel as though you are hiking along the pipeline with him and Jane. Who would they meet? What act of kindness would the next stranger offer? What would they see? What would be the history of pipeline mile 647?

Finally, this book is about a man who made a dream become reality, and it was this new sense of reality that made his life become a dream!

I don't know when I have enjoyed a book as much as this one. I think it is extrememy well written as well as interesting. I was so excited by sections of this book, I would wake my husband and read aloud to him. He is an outdoors guy and really understood the feeling experienced by Ned. I intend to buy a few of these books and give them as gifts to special friends. I want everyone to meet Ned Rozell.

Having visted Alaska this summer, traveling from Fairbanks to the pipeline, I found the people to be intriguing, very different. This author really helps the reader understand what goes through the mind of someone who truly loves this wilderness called Alaska. The author's journey is one of self-exploration aside from exploring just the terrain. It's a pleasure to read, and it helps explain the makeup of people who find that wilderness inspiring and nurturing.

"In the Shadow of Denali" is a collection of articles about mountaineering, Alaskan life, and the wilderness. It is the best collection of stories I have read since Krakauer's Eiger Dreams. Although technically about mountain climbing, the heart of this book is the effect the mountain has on the people who visit it, climb it, and live and work in its shadows. This book is not only for climbers (and armchair climbers) but for anyone who loves the wilderness. I hope Waterman writes another book very soon! I highly recommend you read this one.

A real look into the world of mountaineering that hasn't been glamorized or overly dramatized (in the case of other authors). The primary focus is Denali, but the book often shifts attention away from it, giving the reader a good look into the mountaineering career of Jon Waterman and a bit of insight upon many others. For the experienced mountaineer, they can most likely relate to many of Jon's experiences. To the less experienced, it will give a sobering wakeup call to the realities of mountaineering. I must disagree with the reader from NY listed below as stating that "The author falls into the trap of thinking that climbing is going to give him and some other fellow climbers an insight into life beyond that of the ordinary man." For anyone who has survived a truly epic climb, one does gain a bit of insight into life that they failed to notice beforehand, and that many others do not completely understand...do this regularly enough, and it can in fact change a person. The book was NOT self-indulgent in the least...merely giving a first hand account of his experiences, both good and bad. If you are planning a trip to Denali, this should be required reading....

Heck of a book. Kudos to Jon Waterman on putting together a terrific collection of stories related to Denali. For those not well versed in mountaineering I think you can still enjoy this book a great deal. It will give you an honest look into the experience.

In addition, Waterman doesn't try to glamorize it. Sure he'll give you a good look at the many men full of character who have risked life and limb for a chance the climb the high one (as they call Denali). Also some of the stories take place when Jon was younger and you can see how he has matured. He doesn't make any attempt to hide the brashness of his youth. Finally, the climbers themselves really make the book. Read about the 'Pirate', the other Waterman (an especially intriguing story), Wilcox, the inimitable Mugs Stump, and others. A fine book that will having you turning pages and keep your attention.

This book was published too soon. It came out in 1990, long before the current memoir craze took hold. That's really too bad because this book is what memoir-writing is all about. Natalie Kusz' story is truly beyond belief; it reaffirms my faith in the whole genre. Here then is the story of a how a seven year old child (Natalie) had her face ripped apart by Alaskan huskies and survived to write about it with an unerring voice. If you don't love her family almost as much as she does by the end of this book, then you're not human. This book is every bit the equal of "The Color of Money" (and probably surpases it as a memoir), a book that became a national bestseller. This one deserves that status as well. Please seek out and read this page-turner of a memoir. You won't be sorry.

Why did not this book get wider recognition? It's a beautifully written saga of a young girl who moves with her mother, father and three young siblings to Alaska in the 60's. She vividly describes the heartships of living in the near-wilderness under severe conditions, facing and overcoming family financial problems, and above all, a tragic accident that brought her near death. It is a story of perseverance and familly ties. I would recommend it especially to young adults. It's one of the few books I wanted to start reading over again as soon as I finished.

I picked this book up in the Alaskana section of Title Wave, a used bookstore in Anchorage, thinking it was going to be an Alaskan story, but happily it's much more universal than that. Natalie Kusz's book delivers two parents who are beautiful misfits bearing difficult baggage--her mother's mother is mentally ill; her father's wartime experience is horrific. That they stay together is enough of a feat, but the love they instill in their children and the family they create with so little material goods is truly amazing. On one hand, it's a story of overcoming hardship, and Natalie's ordeals, while more than any child deserves, are not her father's fault, as one reader's comments seem to imply. That they shape her life and choices, ultimately leading her to life as a writer, is the larger story. One facet of this book no one has commented on is the language and style with which this book is written. It's luminous, courageous, and deserving of continuous reprint. Here's hoping Natalie is hard at work on another book. I for one would be first in line to buy it.

I can't say enough good things about this book. First of all, it was written by one of the most pious men of the 20th Century, St. John of Shanghai & San Francisco.

I recommend it to the three major forms of Christianity: Orthodox, Catholic & Protestant because it sets forth the Orthodox Church's understanding of Mary and cleary shows how their views of her are unique. For Orthodox, it outlines the Church's belief and serves as a good, concise explanation. I think it would be particularly valuable for Catholics & Protestants to read though. For Protestants so they don't confuse the Catholic teachings with the lesser known (in the west) Orthodox teachings. For Catholics because they will see why the Orthdox don't believe in certain Catholic teachings on Mary.

This book isn't at all meant to be a theological debate book, or one that is intended to divide people. It is written out of love for the Holy Trinity, the Mother of God and the love of Truth. It seeks to unite and enlighten all.

Its short length is also a plus. Its warth and simplicity is quite refreshing too. A highly recommended volume.

St John of Shanghi and San Francisco, a Saint of the Church (Eastern Orthodox) and of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russian (ROCOR or ROCA) writes with clarity, is concise and writes true about the Theotokos (literally God-bearer), and how Christians (Eastern Orthodox) venerate her. The Triune God is key in everything in Orthodoxy - and her role in accepting the Archangel Gabriel's message fully and willingly brought forth the God-Man - God and Man, the true Prototype of what each of us is intended to be, and can become. This book is essential in clarifying issues that are confusing to those coming into the Church from christian organizations who may have held heretical views without realizing the full impact of such. Among people, there is an expression, "Behind every great man stands his mother" - and there is certainly truth in that.

This holy man, St. John Maximovitch of San Francisco and Shanghai, has given us a wonderful explanation of the veneration of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the historic Orthodox Church. He explains that to not honor the Mother of God is to not honor the Lord Jesus Christ, giving examples in history of anti-Christian sects who have attempted to sway people from Jesus Christ by dishonoring His Mother. He also explains that certain doctrines added to the Christian faith by the Roman Catholic Church, such as the doctrine of the Immaculate Conception, though intended to give honor to Mary, actually dishonor her. Finally, he gives a thorough explanation of the place of the Holy Virgin in Christ's Church and why it is important to give honor to the "highly favored one" (Luke 1:28). May the most holy Mother of God save us by her prayers!

Like Many others I have read all of John Straley novels. Being a former Sitka resident I find the novels very interesting. I do not think that you have to be an Alaskan to enjoy these books. The characters that are written about are written in a way that allows one to really experience them. The stories are believeable and one gets really drawn in with the stories. Straley is a great storyteller and spins a tale or two. I do not suggest you read only this book, but all of Straley's novels. These books will leave you with a since of longing to travel to the Great Land

The author takes us to his native Alaska and describes it in beautiful, engrossing detail. We learn about the little town of Sitka, and we learn about the people, the fauna and the bears.

We then take a cruise on an old rustpot: two weeks through the islands, entertainment and mystery included. Straley knows how to portrait people so that they come alive in front of your eyes. But he also has a sense of humor, writing about a sex adventure that has to be the funniest you have read in a long time.

What about the mystery? It has to do with too many people dying on this ship's cruises. To say more would give it away. Suffice it to say that it starts out well and then becomes befuddled.

Still, it is a good book to read.

I have read them all. Straley has a gift of telling a great tale with vivid descriptions of place inhabited by wonderful characters. I want to go to Alaska.....I can't wait for the next book..

The book is entirely journal entries that for the most part describe how the author builds his wilderness cabin and goes about other day-to-day tasks. This is not the book for those seeking accounts of extraordinary Alaskan adventures but it is an impressive account of craftmanship. It is a story of impressive feats of carpentry and resourcefulness. You do get a few descriptions of encounters with wildlife but I didn't find that to be a strength of the book. Great pictures, too.

This has to be one of my very favorite books. I have read it front to back at least 7 times! It is written with the true adventurer in mind. Every detail of his experience makes the reader wish it were he/she that was there with him. If you have ever wished you could just go off into the woods, build a cabin and be self-sufficiant, This is the book for you.

This is a powerful book and has quite a following. I was given the book by one of my best friends, which I consider a wonderful gift. This book has it all, beautiful photos, Richard's journal notes are amazing in their insight to his thinking and how this adventure unfolded. It is a simply wonderful book, and has people traveling to Alaska just to see the setting for such a balanced book. This book lays claim to new territory, and the claim is valid. No wonder it sells well, it is captivating reading and makes you look hard and close at your own life.

Kathryn Harrison's The Seal Wife is quite an intense read. It is the story of Bigelow Greene, a young man who moves to Alaska in 1915 to establish a weather station. He becomes obsessed with a silent Aleut woman he becomes sexually involved with and when she mysteriously disappears, his world, and perhaps his sanity begin to crumble. He becomes involved with another silent woman and his simple life grows more and more complex. The brutal Alaskan landscape serves as an excellent backdrop for this novel and its language. The Seal Wife is certainly not for the faint of heart--Bigelow is obsessed with sex and Harrison is not afraid to delve deeply into that obsession. If you can take that, try this intense read. It's hard to put down.

Kathryn Harrison, author of "The Kiss" and "The Binding Chair," underscores her reputation as a writer of compelling fiction with this tale of passion and obsession on the desolate Alaskan frontier. Fred Stella provides a superior reading.

It is 1915 when Bigelow, a young scientist, is dispatched to build a weather observatory in Anchorage. He is optimistic and enthusiastic, little realizing what life will be like in an arctic railroad town peopled by men and precious few women. The nights are endless and lonely.

Before long he is held sway by a seemingly unknowable woman, Aleut. She is not his only obsession - he designs a kite intended to fly higher than any kite has ever flown.

Harrison's recreation of an icy landscape in all its beauty and danger is spectacular. Stella's reading illuminates that world and her words.

- Gail Cooke

Kathryn Harrison's THE SEAL WIFE is far and away her finest work, and one of the finest works of fiction published this year. Written in a very spare style, Harrison doesn't waste a word, a paragraph or a chapter in telling this story of a US government scientist sent to the wilds of Alaska in 1915. Bigelow's assignment is to map the weather patterns of the area, where railroads and infrastructure are to be built, extracting the riches of gold, furs and other precious commodities. Bigelow embarks upon an ambitious quest to construct the biggest kite known, which will aid him in understanding the changeable nature of the region's weather. The kite itself becomes a metaphor for a man's quest for unattainable love, his desire to conquer nature, and the consequences of reaching too far outside one's known experiences in life.

Bigelow has three relationships through the course of the story: one with the kite, which consumes not only his intellect and emotions, but great periods of his time every day; a physical and strangely emotionally distant relationship with an Aleut woman whose name and background he never knows fully. Thirdly, he has another physical and highly emotional liaison with a young woman who communicates only through song.

Harrison's descriptions of the Alaskan frontier with all its vastness, great white blankets of snow and ice, and the long stretches of light and darkness bring the reader into Bigelow's setting like no other novel I can remember.

THE SEAL WIFE is the finest example of the novelist's craft! I would really, really like to see her write into a screenplay. This is a story of great drama veiled by the whiteness of Alaska, and the loneliness of a man's soul. Beautifully done, Kathryn Harrison!!

Balto is a fantastic story about a dog going to Nome to take medicine to sick children. Will Balto make it? Find out in the book Balto. This is a great book that is very exciting to read.

The book the Bravest Dog Ever is about Balto. This is a book which tells the wonderful rescue story of Balto. Balto lived in Nome, Alaska, and that is where the story took place. Two children got sick and they needed medicine, which the doctor did not have. They sent it on train, but the train got stuck. This is where Balto and his crew came to the rescue. They went through difficult terrain, and made the story very exciting.
I love the story of Balto, probably because I love dogs. But still the story is really good, and I recommend this book to whoever is reading this review. Balto should be known in everyone life.

Ryan J.

"This is a true story about a very brave dog."

It's 1925 in the sub-zero, treacherous region of Nome, Alaska. Two children stricken with diphtheria need medicine, but the train that carries it gets stuck in the snow, 700 miles from Nome. The town's only hope is a 21-team dog sled relay to deliver the precious medicine. Balto, the head dog on the second to the last run, leads his team through blinding snowdrifts and over a frozen river, and around cracking ice, and reaches Nome almost ten days before the expected arrival. He becomes famous: In New York City, thousands of miles away, a statue of Balto is put up in Central Park.

This is an exciting book, with soft, slighted muted illustrations and short sentences, is an excellent book (especially for adventure and dog lovers) for the reader in from around grades 1 through 3. The suspenseful narration and the real heroics of Balto and his driver (along with the 20 other dog teams) make for a dramatic story. 48 pages, includes map of the trail to Nome.

I'm English, but this year went on holiday to the west-coast U.S.A. and Canada. On the recommendation of an American friend, who went to Alaska for her holiday I purchased "Crow in Stolen Colors" from Amazon.com before I went(congratulations on the speedy delivery to the U.K. by the way). I spent three days on the ferry on the Alaska Marine Highway and started reading this book as we sailed towards Wrangell - the real life setting for this mystery - perfect timing. I learned as much about the Tlingit culture from the book as I did from the lectures on board ship and was torn between watching the beautiful Alaskan scenery for real and reading Marcia Simpson's atmospheric descriptions of it and rapidly turning the pages to find out what happened next. I quickly got to like her well-drawn main characters of Paul, "Lizzie" and, of course, the dog Sam, and immediately on my return purchased her second novel, "Sound Tracks", which I'm currently thoroughly enjoying. While in Alaska I recommended her work to a local bookshop and have no hesitation in similarly recommending it to Amazon.com shoppers.

This book was beyond fantastic. From the first page I could not put it down - I could not turn the pages fast enough! I am so glad that I purchased this one and the author's second book of the series at the same time. I can't wait to open Sound Tracks which I'm going to do as soon as I sign off. This was a wonderful book with the history, description of life in Alaska and the personalities of the people in Wrangall - you will be missing a fantastic journey if you pass this one up.

I don't read a lot of mysteries set in Alaska because most of the writers tend to focus heavily on (not to mention exaggerate) the 'wildness' and the 'rugged frontier' aspects of the state. Ms. Simpson, however, works the setting into the story as just another part of the overall whole, weaving sea and costal rainforest into important elements of the plot without resorting to hyperbole. She has also created believable, sympathetic characters in Liza, James, Crow, Paul, Mink and her husband, and (of course!) Sam. I'm eagerly awaiting the chance to get my hands on Sound Tracks.