After reading "The Year Of Miss Agnes" with my 9 year old we eagerly ordered "Toughboy and Sister". What a disappointment! I don't feel that even mild profanity is appropriate in a book sold for the 9-12 age level. Nor was I pleased with two different examples of taking the Lord's name in vain. This book was ordered for a book report for my daughter but was a waste as it cannot be used in her Christian school.
The sad thing for us is that the story is great, and would have been just as good without including words that are offensive to a whole group of parents.

Toughboy and Sister is a good book I think. But that is if you're into books about peoples life. I think of it as an adventure and sad book. I give it about 4 stars.

This book is about a young boy and girl. They were called Toughboy and Sister, well that's what their village called them. They hated when their dad came home drunk, until one day they found out something bad happened. Hours later their dad got home and they told him that their mom died. Then a couple years later their dad died. So they went to live with their auntie. But that's the next book called Winter Camp. I would suggest this book because I think it's a good, good, good book. I think it's a 3rd grade level book and over.

Toughboy, age 11, and sister, age 9 have only their alcoholic dad to care for them after their mother's death. They get excited about going to fish camp, even though it will be the first trip without mom. Shortly after they arrive to camp, their father leaves. Toughboy and sister learn to prepare meals, take care of themselves, catch fish the way their parents once had, and reminisce about past times. One day the dad returns on the boat, dead. They are then stranded at the fish camp for many weeks; finally Natasha saves them. At this point, they both realize the tremendous positive affect being stranded has had upon them.
The book, in my opinion, tells a very good story. It provides a positive ending to a suspenseful, intriguing story. If you like survival stories, you will definitely enjoy this book!

Bill Sherwoinit fulfilled my goal of learning more about Denali to help me prepare for my own future climb of this awesome mountain. He covered most of the historical climbs on McKinley, but failed to recognize speed records. Maybe he can include the current speed record in a future printing. If you like reading about high country adventure, you may also like TJ Burr's "Rocky Mountain Adventure Collection". Thanks for the hard work in preparing this great book Bill.

This book offers an excellent detailed and informative historical perspective of Denali itself, as well as stories of expeditions, climbers, and a look to the future of the mountain. While well-written and an easy read, some of the stories lack the drama and realism due to the continuing third-person perspective. The book is more of a "factbook" rather than a collection of gripping adventures, and I recommend this read for those interested in true learning about the mountain. The reader is left with a greater appreciation of both nature and human perseverance.

Sherwonit has written an interesting history of the expeditions on Denali. It is not a "page-turner" but anyone interested in climbing will appreciate the stories of successful and unsuccessful first ascents, first winter ascents and first solo ascents.

This book by Tom Bodett was long and it took awhile to get to the action. It dragged on and on while it was about page 160 when the short action part started. Although it did have a few good parts to it, this book was a novel that seemed to drag on and on.

When Ivan and September get left alone at their small remote home on the shores of Alaska, 12 year old Ivan messes up the raidos. The raidos are the kid's only source of communtian, and their only way to interact with the outside world.
While then they have to make many trips back and fourth to the outer world, it takes much time to get to the interesting parts.
Overall, this book had some good parts to it, but wasn't the best book I have ever read.

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Tom Bodett - the "We'll leave the light on" Motel 6 guy - wrote and performs this cautionary tale of respect for the whims of Nature for kids and their parents. Part "slice of life" in the Alaskan "bush," part sociology - can "bush" and "town" kids find common ground and interests? and also a warning on why kids should listen to grown-ups (all these years and we really HAVE learned something ;-), this captivating adventure will while away the hours whilst travelling.

This book was great. I live in the bush in Alaska and even homeschool. I could really relate to this story. Mr Bodett did a wonderful job describing the area and storms.

I will be driving to Alaska this summer with my dog and I wanted guidance on local parks on the way where we could take breaks and go hiking. I purchased the book since it claims to provide information about hiking trails. No such thing; I found nothing of any value to me and returned it. In fact, if you delete the pictures and the lists of motels and restaurants... there would be little left to read.

Not sure why the last reviewer bought a driving guide instead of a hiking guide, but I found this book to be incredibly helpful and entertaining. It contained the right balance of text with history and don't-miss places to visit for each community, along with listings of restaurants and places to stay. She tell you the miles (and kilometers) between major towns and includes lots of great pictures. Highly recommended for preparing for the trip, and a great resource once you're on the road.

The World-Famous Alaska Highway is the ideal guide for anyone traveling up and down the Alaskan Highway. This compendium of historic sites, roadside attractions, dramatic views, wildlife sighting sites, recreational resources (hiking, biking, fishing, rafting, canoeing, cruising, flying, festivals, rodeos, parades, races, museums, theme parks) will ensure the success of any excursion from day trips to full-fledged vacations. The World-Famous Alaska Highway also offers practical money-saving, comfort enhancing advice on preparing your vehicle, roadway considerations and routes, as well as up-to-date contact numbers and websites for cities throughout the region and serviced by the Alaskan Highway. If you are planning just such a journey for business or pleasure, begin with a thorough reading of Tricia Brown's The World-Famous Alaska Highway!

There is a reason you see used versions of this book for sale. I was very disappointed in that it only covers 6 parks. Considering the number of state parks in Alaska, this is a pretty poor showing. Those that are covered are covered in a "this is what I did" vein and not in a "this is what is available" manner that I was expecting.

The book includes descriptions of some of Alaska's parks. I find it a cross between a travel narrative and a travel guide. The photos and narrative provided good descriptions. The title is a alittle misleading in that the book focuses on a few of the main state parks and does not provide details on every state park on the road system. What it does provide is the authors experience of the 'sense of place,' what it might be like to be there. For that, it is well worth it.

This book is different, and that's its charm! Instead of a simple turn-left, turn-right, camp-here guide, it is a trip-planner and day-dreamer's book of beautiful wilderness images and essays. Because the design and photos are top-rate, it would also work as a gift book or post-trip keepsake. Sherwonit introduces each park with a 1st-person travel essay, describing hiking, paddling, and animal-watching adventures, and the author's own personal connection to these places. Then there are great how-to sections, sidebars, and lavishly illustrated maps. The softcover, square-shaped format make it more aesthetically pleasing than a small, narrow guidebook, but less unwieldy than a coffee table book.

Alaska is so vast, overwhelming, and superlative, it can be hard to imagine how to explore it, but this book helps the reader visualize and plan. If this book is so pleasing, why isn't it better known? I think it's the title. "Accessible" wilderness might make readers think of wheelchair paths, when in fact, this book is about wild and remote parklands that are simply *easier* to reach (though not always easy). Another reason this book is overlooked is that it focuses on Alaska's state parks instead of its more famous national parks (like Denali National Park). But again, that's the book's strength. Tourists cruise past Denali STATE Park without realizing what they're missing, and many "Outsiders" have never heard of places like Kachemak Bay State Park and Wood-Tikchik. Though every park covered is unique, all but one are within 325 miles of Anchorage, the state's urban hub. (One of the parks, Chugach State Park, actually backs up to Anchorage, bringing moose, bears and salmon to our backdoors.) As an Alaskan, I'm tempted to keep our great state parks under wraps, but I'd hate for readers to miss this fine book by a writer who really knows and appreciates the state's natural treasures.

I ordered this book because I like reading books about teachers in various parts of the world. This book was not about teaching,but about her life in Kulukak. That part was well written, but depressing. I guess it is what life was like there. Abbie Morgan handled the depressing landscape with humor and love. I was disappointed because it was not what I was looking for, but it does not mean that it is not a good book. If you are looking for a description of 1930 Alaska, then this is your book. Morgan describes life in this town with clarity and handles lifes disappointments with grace. She was an amazing woman to have worked there.

I came across Arctic Schoolteacher by accident. I had taken my kids to a summer program at a county library. While we waited for the show to begin, I browsed the shelves and came across this book. I have probably read 20-30 books this year, and Arctic Schoolteacher makes the top of my list. In it, the author tells the story of how she and her husband travelled to a remote Alaskan village in the 1930s as government employees. Abbie taught school, and Ed, her husband, oversaw the reindeer herd. I don't want to give away too much of the story, but the book is filled with the numerous joys and sorrows that Abbie experienced in her two year stay in the Last Frontier. I only wish that Abbie had mentioned more about her life before Alaska, and about how she and Ed met. I am glad that the book included an epilogue by Abbie's daughter that mentions what happened in Abbie's life after Alaska.

A particularly moving story. This book takes place about the same time as "Tisha" but in the famed Bristol Bay Region in a village called Kulukak. It was published in 1992 and available in paperback, this book should be easy to locate.

The book is well written but it was not what I wanted.I've really enjoyed books like Mark of the Grizzly.So when I got this I thought it would be sort of the same. Like I said it is well written and full of true encounters but they always end in the death of the bear by guns.I think if you are a hunter you would like this book but if you enjoy 'shooting' the bears with film I'd say don't read this one, you'll feel sad.

Larry does an excellent job of relating these stories. Any person planning travel to Alaska's back country needs to have this information before setting out.

This is a great book by one of the best authors on the subject. Mr Kaniut is an authority on the subject of bear attacks. He has devoted many hours, days and trips across Alaska to bring first hand accounts, when possible, not only by the victims but by tracking down witnesses to the attacks. I have read several of his books and never been disappointed. This is a must read for the outdoor and wildlife enthusiast. A book that will stay in your bookcase for a re-read.

A vulgar and profane metahporical rant, "Why Are We In Vietnam?" is highly entertaining and certainly unique, but pales in comparison to "The Executioner's Song," which is far and away Mailer's best work.

If the author wanted to make an iconoclastic statement about America and it's people, fine. But in terms of an anti-Vietnam message it's a bit of a reach.

Really this novel should be called "Why We Are in Vietnam", because after reading this work, the answer to Mailer's original question is plain to see. His best work, and for once not overly-long! A good book to show you just how powerful good writing can be.

Two raunchy, young Texans go to Alaska with their fathers to hunt bighorn sheep from a helicopter. Vietnam is mentioned in the last two sentences of the novel. If you can't figure out the relationship, you probably think that John Wayne was a great American hero ...
In a way, it's a pity that Mailer tied this story so closely to a specific war, because the book is powerfully relevant to Americans' view of themselves in many other historical contexts. But it's not a dull dissertation; it's entertaining, lively, and often hilarious. Still very much worth reading.

The chart is good for general information contained in one document. The quality of construction is excellent, allowing opening and closing many times without any tearing. As many of the cruies ships go further north of the present chart, the chart would be of greater value if it were extended to the Seward AK area. The course on the chart was a bit confusing as the ship I was on used a different route.

A foot wide and eleven feet tall IS a weird shape for a chart, but I find it to be very enjoyable because it shows the whole inside passage in detail. Where else can you find something like this? Let's hope this map stays around. It's a great concept and allows one a greater appreciation of the region.

...than I am giving it, because it gives a detailed description of "how to.." drive through Alaska. It even has little maps, and gives all possible helpfull advice. It doesnt tell much of a story though, and should rather be used as a reference for your trip.

Dr. Frazier covers all the essentials in preparation for a motorcycle trip to Alaska. His book is full of helpful hints ranging from what to take to where to gas-up. The book is compact and easy to carry in your tank bag. Alaska by Motorcycle is an easy and enjoyable read. I read several other books about traveling to Alaska but found Alaska by Morotcycle the most complete and accurate guide as to what to expect when traveling by motorcyle. Another book I found helpful was The Alaska Highway, An Insider's Guide (revised edition) by Ron Dalby. I disgarded the Mile Post half-way through the our 3 week trip and relied on the books by Dr. Frazier and Ron Dalby. I believe that Dr. Frazier has another book about motorcycling through Europe which will undoubtedly inspire future motorcycle adventures.