Amazon.com
"God, he was a smart kid..." So why did Christopher McCandless trade a bright future--a college education, material comfort, uncommon ability and charm--for death by starvation in an abandoned bus in the woods of Alaska? This is the question that Jon Krakauer's book tries to answer. While it doesn't—cannot—answer the question with certainty, Into the Wild does shed considerable light along the way. Not only about McCandless's "Alaskan odyssey," but also the forces that drive people to drop out of society and test themselves in other ways. Krakauer quotes Wallace Stegner's writing on a young man who similarly disappeared in the Utah desert in the 1930s: "At 18, in a dream, he saw himself ... wandering through the romantic waste places of the world. No man with any of the juices of boyhood in him has forgotten those dreams." Into the Wild shows that McCandless, while extreme, was hardly unique; the author makes the hermit into one of us, something McCandless himself could never pull off. By book's end, McCandless isn't merely a newspaper clipping, but a sympathetic, oddly magnetic personality. Whether he was "a courageous idealist, or a reckless idiot," you won't soon forget Christopher McCandless.
Book Description
In April 1992 a young man from a well-to-do family hitchhiked to Alaska and walked alone into the wilderness north of Mt. McKinley. His name was Christopher Johnson McCandless. He had given $25,000 in savings to charity, abandoned his car and most of his possessions, burned all the cash in his wallet, and invented a new life for himself. Four months later, his decomposed body was found by a moose hunter. How McCandless came to die is the unforgettable story of Into the Wild.
Immediately after graduating from college in 1991, McCandless had roamed through the West and Southwest on a vision quest like those made by his heroes Jack London and John Muir. In the Mojave Desert he abandoned his car, stripped it of its license plates, and burned all of his cash. He would give himself a new name, Alexander Supertramp, and , unencumbered by money and belongings, he would be free to wallow in the raw, unfiltered experiences that nature presented. Craving a blank spot on the map, McCandless simply threw the maps away. Leaving behind his desperate parents and sister, he vanished into the wild.
Jon Krakauer constructs a clarifying prism through which he reassembles the disquieting facts of McCandless's short life. Admitting an interst that borders on obsession, he searches for the clues to the dries and desires that propelled McCandless. Digging deeply, he takes an inherently compelling mystery and unravels the larger riddles it holds: the profound pull of the American wilderness on our imagination; the allure of high-risk activities to young men of a certain cast of mind; the complex, charged bond between fathers and sons.
When McCandless's innocent mistakes turn out to be irreversible and fatal, he becomes the stuff of tabloid headlines and is dismissed for his naiveté, pretensions, and hubris. He is said to have had a death wish but wanting to die is a very different thing from being compelled to look over the edge. Krakauer brings McCandless's uncompromising pilgrimage out of the shadows, and the peril, adversity , and renunciation sought by this enigmatic young man are illuminated with a rare understanding--and not an ounce of sentimentality. Mesmerizing, heartbreaking, Into the Wild is a tour de force. The power and luminosity of Jon Krakauer's stoytelling blaze through every page.
Customer Reviews:
sad but inspiring.......2007-10-17
I was'nt sure if this book was up my alley. turns out i read the thing in record time. If you ever wanted to explore the outdoors withour watching the Discovery channel, this is your book. Real life story about a guy who did just that. can't wait to see the movie.
Modern Day Walden-Good Story-Mediocre Story Teller.......2007-10-17
I liked this book because frankly, but there for the grace of God go I. I could relate to this story quite a bit having graduated from university, traveled the world and gone to work in Alaska myself. I think anyone who has struggled with the question of leading a purposeful life in the modern world will find this book intriguing.
This story is sad, but in the end you are grateful knowing Chris couldn't have lived and died any other way. As much as he loved life, what other way could he have gone? He had a morality that was objective of religion and nation. It would have been very very hard for him to find a place in this world. Thank God he didn't have to live to see the age of Bush. He would have been really disappointed in humans if he'd been around to witness the current state of affairs.
The reason I'm giving this three stars is that the story telling isn't very good. I liked about ten chapters of this book very well, then it started to get old quickly. It seemed like Krakauer did too much back and forth in the last third of the book. He'd write about another adventurer to illustrate his points about Chris, then go back to the story, then go back to another adventurer, then go back to Chris, then tell his personal adventure story, then go back to Chris. I think he went through four other adventurers life and his own. Too many examples over too many chapters to make one point about the kind of person Chris was. Seems like Krakauer could have condensed all the other adventurers stories into one chapter, but I don't think he would have had much of a book then. That's the problem with what started out as an article in Outdoor magazine tries to get stretched into a book with creative padding and quotes from good books like Walden. The results are so-so.
I did see the movie after seeing the book and frankly, Sean Penn did a better job. He used Chris's sister to give the story narrative cohesion and left out the bits about the other adventurers and Krakauer's own journey. Works a lot better.
A magazine article made into a book.......2007-10-17
The author tries to extend a magazine article to book length by retelling the same story 4 or 5 times plus inserting chapters of related personal experiences. The story is good. Wish it was written in chronological order instead of in circles. Can't wait to see the movie. But overall, the book "A Walk In The Woods" is a better read for those with a passon for nature.
Bitter sweet.......2007-10-15
Into the wild is a book bordering on genius and insanity much like the people written so passionately in it's pages. The book is a great read for sure but whether or not it is a good thing is hard to say. I feel cheated. After seeing the preview for the movie I hoped for an inspirational book but after reading the cover I realized that wasn't going to be the case. It is written like an article and not a story. That made it feel more real and at the same time ruined the beautiful story with reality. Hopefully this book will deter people from tempting the fates to escape what they'll miss the most in the end.
A memorable book .......2007-10-14
Trips like that always tend to be instructive. The lesson that Chris apparently learned was that there was a reason why people had left the wild in the first place. Great book. I hear the movie is good too.
Book Description
This international bestseller is the complete guide for anyone taking a cruise or cruisetour to Alaska. From Seattle and Vancouver to Fairbanks and beyond, Alaska By Cruise Ship provides readers with solid detail for this popular cruise destination. Interesting and historical background on the cruise routes complements practical detail on ports and shore excursions with numerous maps pinpointing attractions. All areas of interest on an Alaska cruise are included such as history, wildlife (with whale watching map), native culture, natural phenomena and much more. New edition includes best hiking trails in each port and updates on all shore excursions. Includes giant pull-out color map.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent !!!!!!!!.......2007-10-06
We are going on our dream trip...An alaskan cruisetour.We are investing a lot of time and money...we needed help with details...I am so grateful that we found this perfect guide book. It is helping us choose excursions and educating us to the opportunities available.We have such a little amount of time to see so much..we have to choose wisely..and with "Alaska by cruise ship" we can.Alaska by Cruise Ship: The Complete Guide to Cruising Alaska with Giant Pull-out Map (5th Edition)
Fanctastic Trip Planner.......2007-10-03
What a wonderful resource! Terrific information that helped us plan - and enjoy a wonderful trip.
A little ponderous for my taste.......2007-09-12
This book contains a ton of information. However, it's very "text-booky". I found it hard to stay engaged while reading it.
Alaskan Cruise.......2007-09-03
My business is travel and many of my clients enjoy cruising. This book was very helpful is assisting me with my clients in planning their Alaskan Vacations. My family and I do plan to go to Alaska in the near future, sounds like an exciting vacation!
Billy Wannyn
A little dry.......2007-06-26
The map is good, but overall, I didn't find the book very engaging -- a little bit dry.
Book Description
To live in a pristine land . . . roam the wilderness . . . build a home. . . . Thousands have had such dreams, but Richard Proenneke lived them. Here is a tribute to a man who carved his masterpiece out of the beyond.
Customer Reviews:
True to the man.......2007-09-29
Ten years ago I spent a summer volunteering for the National Park Service at Lake Clark National Park and Preserve, in Alaska. My remote rangers cabin was located at Twin Lakes. Being on the lower lake, I was about 9 miles from my nearest neighbor- Dick. We spoke daily on our walkie-talkies, checking in about the weather, any visitors, or interesting wildlife viewings. I trekked up his way several times over the summer, and enjoyed a few meals with him. I can't remember if it's in his book, but his favorite sandwich was the "Twin Lakes Special": sourdough flapjaks, raw onion, and honey; don't knock it 'til ya try it! Just like his book, he was a gracious, thoughtful man, a true naturalist. Also the most spry 82-year-old I think I'd ever seen! I was saddened to hear of his death several years ago, and was grateful the NPS kept his cabin as a historical site; it is a cozy place, dark inside, smelling faintly of woodsmoke and 1948 sourdough starter, with wonderful decorative touches throughout. Dick was truly a special person, and this book captures his voice, his no-nonsense manner of talking, as well as his appreciation of the beauty of the natural world, perfectly.
A modern day "Thoreau".......2007-09-16
You cannot visit Alaska without reading this book FIRST! Just the photography alone will make you want to go. I dentify in many ways with Dick as I lived in a cabin in the White Mountains of NH for many years. He didn't intrude on nature...he simply lived in harmony with it. He appeals to all of your senses in his simple but beautifully written words, never mind the pictures. He is definitely portrayed as a "loner" but that is a good thing..for a loner has much higher self esteem and sense of character than those who can't survive in the world without people around them all the time. Dick is a true steward of the land because of his deep, abiding love and connection for this piece of God's Creation. His beautifully chronicled life in Alaska will remind you of Robert Frost's words.."We love the things we love for what they are." Enjoy!
Just as Good the Second Time.......2007-09-12
I was telling my husband about this book as I started reading it. He said, "Don't you remember, we read that many years ago when Alaska Magazine published it"? I knew that Babe, the pilot, seemed familiar. It didn't matter. I was happy to read it a second time which is unusual for me. Oh, how I would have loved to have been able to do what Mr. Proenneke did and to live where he lived. There is nothing dull about this book and I suspect the people who find it dull haven't any interest in living in the wilderness without Blackberries, i-pods, automobiles and restaurants.
Even though most of us who enjoyed the book probably don't begin to have the skills that Richard Proenneke had which made what he did possible (and a pilot friend who delivered for free) I think we all wish we could do what he did. I know I do. I didn't realize that a sequel exists. It costs big bucks, but if it's anything close to as interesting as this book, it's worth it. Maybe I'll find out if the Mission Girls ever showed-up.
Homesteading in Alaska.......2007-08-16
The year was 1968. The setting, the Alaskan bush. The mission, to live simply, deliberately, and self-sufficiently off the land, free of the trappings of contemporary society. The protagonist, clearly not what you might expect given the era. He was not some young, free spirited hippie, luddite, or draft dodger. Rather, he was a skilled hard working machinist/woodsman, who at age 51 decided to permanently leave the rat race behind.
Why this man, Dick Prenacke, suddenly left behind his conventional existence to live in a remote and unforgiving section of Alaska is never fully explored in the book. While snippets do reveal his distain for modernity, it never fully embellishes on what ultimately drove the author to do what few would ever conceive of doing. Perhaps Dick realized that at 51, the physical and physiological fortitude required to make such a transition would soon be out of his reach. More likely however, he foresaw the end of an era. No more than a few years after his departure into the wild, Alaska would enact laws prohibiting trappers and homesteaders from freely trudging off into the woods to live the quintessential "Alaskan experience." Soon Alaska would become like the rest of the lower 48, where people like Dick would be considered trespassers and evicted from any land that they did not rightfully own. Fortunately for the author, the laws were grand fathered in.
While the book is essentially a personal account of Alaskan homesteading, the author episodically weaves social commentary into his writings. He laments a society that is wasteful and superficial. The hunters that come into his Alaska, products of such a society, leave garbage and animal meat behind, unaware that the author cleans up after as well as makes use of their squander.
The author also reveals his anxiety for a society that is increasingly consumed by materialism. He feels that man is entrapped by things that he doesn't need and he seeks to avoid the superfluous at all costs. To the outsider, surviving in the wilds of Alaska would seem to require an extravagant amount of equipment and gear. One can only imagine the bill the average suburbanite would amass at the local REI in preparation for such an endeavor. Yet the author demonstrates just how little is required to not only to survive but also to prosper in such an inhospitable region.
The book closes with some thoughts on technology, and the rapidity of change that comes with it. The author's words are both haunting and prescient as he elaborates on his first year in Alaska and how his experience conflicts greatly with society at large.
inspiring.......2007-07-14
Inspiring book. Diarist was over 50 when he began this journey. Helps me look to the future for myself.
Book Description
You'll never fall into the tourist traps when you travel with Frommer's. It's like having a friend show you around, taking you to the places locals like best. Our expert authors have already gone everywhere you might go— they've done the legwork for you, and they're not afraid to tell it like it is, saving you time and money. No other series offers candid reviews of so many hotels and restaurants in all price ranges. Every Frommer's Travel Guide is up-to-date, with exact prices for everything, dozens of color maps, and exciting coverage of sports, shopping, and nightlife. You'd be lost without us!
Completely updated every year (unlike most of the competition), Frommer's Alaska features gorgeous color photos of the spectacular scenery and amazing wildlife that await you in America's last frontier. This extraordinary and detailed guide is personally researched by a lifelong resident, who offers insights into how to discover the real Alaska. You'll find complete details on whale watching, sea kayaking, hiking, salmon fishing, funky small towns, Gold Rush saloons, glaciers, scenic drives, and more. You'll even get an up-to-date cruise planner and a free color fold-out map!
Download Description
You'll never fall into the tourist traps when you travel with Frommer's. It's like having a friend show you around, taking you to the places locals like best. Our expert authors have already gone everywhere you might goâ they've done the legwork for you, and they're not afraid to tell it like it is, saving you time and money. No other series offers candid reviews of so many hotels and restaurants in all price ranges. Every Frommer's Travel Guide is up-to-date, with exact prices for everything, dozens of color maps, and exciting coverage of sports, shopping, and nightlife. You'd be lost without us!
Completely updated every year (unlike most of the competition), Frommer's Alaska features gorgeous color photos of the spectacular scenery and amazing wildlife that await you in America's last frontier. This extraordinary and detailed guide is personally researched by a lifelong resident, who offers insights into how to discover the real Alaska. You'll find complete details on whale watching, sea kayaking, hiking, salmon fishing, funky small towns, Gold Rush saloons, glaciers, scenic drives, and more. You'll even get an up-to-date cruise planner, a free color fold-out map, and an online directory that makes trip-planning a snap.
Customer Reviews:
Very informative.......2007-10-08
This book has been very informative in helping us to select which cruise line, tours and offshore excursions we plan to take advantage of while in Alaska. I highly recommend reading this BEFORE BOOKING and taking it along as a guide on your trip. It gives insider tips you may not have thought about when planning a trip. JPB
Frommer's Alaska 2007.......2007-07-15
Doing a road trip via Motor Home...great explanations of camp sites, fishing, etc. Very helpful for a first time visitor for sure!
review of Frommer's Alaska 2007.......2007-05-08
Excellent book. Gave us very good tips for B&B's in Ketchikan.
Frommer's Alaska.......2007-05-07
This is a good summary book to have. I found it informative. Although this book by itself is not enough for planning a trip to Alaska. It gives highlights but I found myself needing additional information.
A good buy
Great Travelers Guide for the whole state.......2007-03-17
Great reviews on places to go throughout the state. I always like to visit the restaurants that the locals go and Frommer lets you know where they are at. If you are going to Denali National Park, make sure you pick up a copy of Discovering Denali.
Amazon.com
Lonely Planet is at its guidebook best when it's covering isolated regions where those little details of shelter, food, and transportation are of more than passing concern. Just the section on Denali National Park alone makes Jim DuFresne's guide worthwhile, illuminating the complex new rules governing access to that sensational wildlife reserve, plus giving information on dogsled demonstrations, hiking, rafting, backpacking, and so on. The sections on climate, geography, and ecology are very well done, as are the chapters on the Alaskan people and society. The transportation chapters are vital and comprehensive, and the rest of the guide follows suit, covering all of Alaska (no little task) with reliable acumen, information, and savvy. --Stephanie Gold
Book Description
Alaska's vast natural beauty is unparalleled. Spectacular Mt McKinley and Prince William Sound are only the tip of the iceberg. With quirky villages and a few cities dotted across boundless acres of national parks and reserves, sheer adventure is outside every door. Whether you're hiking or paddling, whale watching or glacier gawking, follow this definitive guide into the USA's last great wilderness. INTO THE WILD - in-depth chapters dedicated to outdoor activities and adventures BEAR ESSENTIALS - special chapter on Alaska's abundant wildlife and diverse flora NATIVE ALASKANS, NEW URBANITES - extensive coverage of local culture, lifestyle, arts and history THE ROADS MORE AND LESS TRAVELED - custom itineraries, thorough directory and 84 detailed maps WHERE TO HIBERNATE - rustic campsites, backcountry cabins, secluded B&Bs, elegant suites...opinionated sleeping listings for various budgets.
Customer Reviews:
How do you review Alaska? Lonely Planet knows........2007-01-20
Another really great book - typical of Lonely Planet quality. Shipped on time - I'm a happy camper.
Hitch hikers guide to Alaska. .......2006-12-18
If you hitchkiking, backpacking or not using an RV that this is your book. If you using a RV, this book as little value.
Very helpful.......2006-09-11
I just came back from the vacation in Alaska last night. I came from China one year ago and had this vacation all by myself. Thanks for this book, my trip was fantastic! I used this book for trip planning, like booking hotels. And I had it on my way always. Information in this book is very updated and really helpful. On the last several blank pages, I got some stamps of national parks, as well as contact information of many friends made in this trip. I'll keep this book, which will make me recall all the great details of my trip. And I will recommend this book all my friends who are interested in traveling in Alaska.
Lonely Planet Alaska.......2006-07-03
It was bought as a gift and my Dad really liked the book. It was a great present for someone who is taking an Alaskan trip!
travelling Alaska.......2005-08-25
We just returned from a month of exploring Alaska and found this book very useful in planning. It has a less commercial view, so we appreciated the suggested accommodations and reviews of things to see. They were always right on target with the less commercial things highlighted. Very useful.
Book Description
Detailed routes and advice for heading into the wilds of Alaska and northwestern Canada are provided in this guide for RV and tent campers. This grand tour of Alaska covers in detail the Alaskan Highway, routes throughout the Yukon and Alaskan outback, and the ferry system in southeast Alaska. Campgrounds throughout the region are listed with pictures, descriptions of amenities and recreational opportunities, maps, and contact information for each. Important details are discussed, including border crossings, budget planning, vehicle preparation or renting an RV, appropriate clothing, road conditions, and possible wildlife encounters. Recreational information on hiking, mountain biking, boating, rafting, kayaking, and viewing wildlife is also included.
Customer Reviews:
A 'must have' for RV'ing Alaska!.......2007-09-23
I waited to review this book until our return from Alaska. I must say it was amazing! We were driving a 32' Winnebago Chalet from Great Alaskan Holidays (a good experience, I would like to add) and wanted to eliminate getting 'stuck' in tight spaces so we quickly learned to look for those warnings in the book. The campgrounds are described very accurately, the pricing info was reliable and the route descriptions and depictions are also reliable and organized. We also relied on The Milepost for general info on services and sights but for locating campgrounds, this book was invaluable! We RV with Foghorn's books on the west coast of the lower 48 and they are very good too!
Easy to read.......2007-07-17
We found the book very informative, easy to follow, and great value for the price. We plan to use it on our next trip to Alaska and the Yukon.
VERY COMPLETE & COMPREHENSIVE.......2007-05-24
As I write this review, my husband and I are about a week and a half away from leaving on our 4-month expedition to Alaska. We are leaving in early June 2007 and expect to return to Texas by October 1, 2007. I bought this book in April 2007 and have looked at it extensively since I bought it. I'm pretty sure it will be at least as valuable to us as the Milepost will be, if not more so. It begins by answering many questions one may have about what kind of clothes to bring, what to expect at the border, how much money to bring, the best places to see wildlife, insects, laundry - you get the picture. It covers just about everything. It appears as though the authors have visited and rated every campground, private and government, and every place where it's legal to park your rig along the Highway. Directions to each campground are given according to its milepost marker and its GPS location. There are little pictures of each town and where each campground, store and point of interest is located. It describes the places not to miss along the way, as well as good places to fish. I only wish the authors had included all that information through Canada as well!
I'm pretty sure this guide will be well-worn by the time we get home. If you're planning to RV through Alaska, you need to get this book!
Great Campground Guide.......2007-03-12
I should probably wait until after our trip in June, 2007, but so far this has been a great campground guide for planning. I have been using it in addition to the Lonely Planet book and the Milepost.
Absolutely Essential!.......2006-10-21
We recently completed a four-month motorhome trip to Alaska. We had several books with us, but the most consistent good information came from this book. The campground descriptions were right on. In addition to camping, when we had to decide whether to see one attraction vs another, the book's advice was invaluable. Don't leave home without it!
Book Description
Cruising is the perfect way to see America’s last frontier—wildlife and wilderness abound along the state’s breathtaking coastline, and are easily seen from the comfort of a deck chair or observation lounge.
Thoroughly updated every year, Frommer’s Alaska Cruises & Ports of Call is a compact guide that’s on top of all the latest developments and offerings in the rapidly changing cruise industry. Our author, a leading cruise journalists with years of experience, has compiled candid, first-hand reviews of each cruise line and each ship. The easy-to-use ratings, detailed drawings of each ship, and honest evaluations make it easy for you to find the cruise that suits your budget and your personal style, whether you want a luxury liner with fine dining or a small-ship cruise led by serious naturalists.
You’ll also find a nature guide that helps you understand what you’re seeing, complete with illustrations of glaciers and the various types of whales. We’ll show you how to get the best deals and how to maximize your time in the ports of call—all in one concise, pocket-sized volume.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent Alaskan port information.......2007-10-08
This book was very helpful in determining which cities we wanted to include on our cruise port stops, BEFORE booking our trip. We were also able to plan ahead our list of "must see and do" in each port. This book will definitely be used as a guidebook to take with us to Alaska.
Good Guide.......2007-09-12
I just returned from a cruise to alaska and found this book to be very helpful. I work in a cruise related field and found it contained great reviews of different cruise lines. Port information was easy to follow. The "voice" of the book was friendly and eager to help. I recommend it to anyone who is considering or going to Alaska by ship.
Good overview of cruising Alaska.......2007-08-10
This book is a good general overview of cruising in Alaska. It would be particularly helpful for first-time cruisers, as much of book is spent explaining how a cruise "works"-- dining, tipping, etc. I appreciated the recommendations on what to pack for Alaska, and they made several good suggestions that I wouldn't have thought of myself. The book was not as up-to-date as I would have liked (Norwegian Pearl had not sailed as of it's writing), but I guess that's understandable. There were some good suggestions for things to do at the various ports on your own, aside from the shore excursions. In all, a helpful, easy-to-access book.
Useful Information.......2007-07-12
This book has way more information than you really need to know and can be some what ponderous reading it, but I found it very useful in planning my Alaskan cruise. My Fiance and I opted for the South bound cruise from Whittier to Vancouver on the Carnival Spirit and had a wonderful trip. When you go to Alaska, you will enjoy the scenery much more than the weather.
Frommer's Alaska Cruises & Ports of Call 2007 (Frommer's Complete) by Jerry Brown.......2007-06-27
This book was just what I expected it to be. It was in perfect condition,the price was great. I received it right away after ordering.
Product Description
The first choice of outdoors enthusiasts. Beautiful, detailed, large-format maps of every state. Perfect for home and office reference, and a must for all your vehicles. Gazetteer information may include: campgrounds, attractions, historic sites & museums, recreation areas, trails, freshwater fishing site & boat launches, canoe trips or scenic drives. Categories vary by state
Customer Reviews:
Our Second Copy of This.......2007-10-02
We have used our first copy until it is ragged. Because we travel a lot within our state of Alaska, this is a perfect resource to have in the house. A must for tourists expecting to travel in our state.
Alaska topo.......2007-08-28
Other than the fact that the scale is way to small at 1:250,000 this is a valuable resource that is very useful. I carry one of these for every location that I go.
Go idea to tape the pages because the stable binding falls apart with use
Useful for the average traveler.......2007-07-18
We were on a driving trip in Alaska and wanted a map with details about the terrain as well as roads. This altas fits the bill. Our only complaint is that almost everyone in Alaska uses "milepost" numbers on the main highways as landmarks and even their street address in some places, and those reference points are not included along the roads on the maps. Even so, it was a big help for our trip.
Excellent Mapbook.......2007-07-05
Alaska Atlas by Delorm has more bang-for-your-buck than any other map product I have seen. The only other map product that even compares is the 7.5 minute USGS National Geograhics State Series maps on CD (but they are much more expensive and require printing.) Delorm is not as detailed as the 7.5 minute USGS topo maps, but they are in my opinion grahically more pleasing to the eye. Bottom line, for the price, you probably will not find topographical maps of this quality anywhere else.
The best Atlas I have ever saw on Alaska.......2006-07-19
Complete, detailed, with all information you may need. A must and in a large format. If you plan to travel to Alaska by any means, do not miss this!
Book Description
RVing Alaska and Canada is a "How-to" and "Why-not" book completely revised in 2002 with 28 more pages of information, photographs and photo vignettes. It takes you through what to do before you leave; map and information gathering; what to take, when to go, how to go, the real scoop on the road conditions and how much it might cost.
Told in the author's personal and humorous fashion, the book unfolds with not only practical suggestions regarding safety, vehicle breakdowns, campgrounds and boondocking, but takes you on every paved and major (and a few minor) gravel roads throughout Alaska and Northwestern Canada. From the Dalton Highway to Prudhoe Bay and the Dempster Highway to the Northwest Territories of Canada, you will experience true adventure with this solo silver gypsy.
The author combines the excitement of Alaska and Canada with flying to outlying villages for a taste of a different life; playing with the Katmai grizzlies; "mushing" real sled dogs on a glacier; and a 500-mile, wilderness canoe trip on the mighty Yukon River. Through her eyes you will feel the awe of the Aurora Borealis on a lonely section of Top of the World Highway; thrill at Mt. McKinley coming out to play; and the fun of Chicken on a Saturday night.
In these 220 packed pages can be found the needed practicality for RV travelers and entertainment for arm-chair travelers.
Customer Reviews:
A travels with "Charlie" type book but without the humor........2007-05-17
Most every sentance startrd with or contained an "I". "I had found...","I took...", "I returned to the motor home....", etc.
A happy surprise!.......2007-04-26
I expected it to be more of a "how-to" book and less of a travelog, but it was fun to read and well worth the price. My wife and I have made 4 driving trips to Alaska over the years. We traveled once in a Class C motorhome, twice in a van, and once in a Surburban pulling a small travel trailer, and we plan to return every year or 2 or 3 for so long as we are able. Even with that experience, the book was a source of good information and ideas. An index of places cited in the book would have been a plus, and it is best read with a good map in your lap, but I certainly recommend it.
Quite a ride!.......2006-08-19
This is more a "travel writing" book than an RV book, and very interesting reading. My only problem with it is that her writing style was rather jumpy - there might be several subjects and locations in one paragraph, and I often got lost as to where we were and what we were doing... Then it didn't seem to matter, I just enjoyed the ride.
A Kick in the Pants!.......2005-04-16
I bought this book thinking "one day, when we retire, maybe we'll go." The author, "Charlie" as you'll get to know her, makes the trip real. All the details are given, with explanations of what to take, when to go, what to watch out for, and what to see while you're there. More importantly for us, however, was the underlying theme of the book...GO AND DO IT! "Charlie" points out repeatedly, "I did it, so can you." Use some common sense, but GO!
This book gave us the kick in the pants to pack up our two small boys (2.5 years and 6 months old), buy a small RV, and GO! We didn't want to wait for retirement. Ten weeks and 12,000 miles later, we had the time of our lives. We also had memories of things that most people only dream of doing!
My father borrowed this book from me, fell in love with the stories of faraway places, and took off to see it for himself.
The book's a great motivator, and Charlie is a down-to-earth storyteller. Thanks, Charlie, for the kick in the pants!
RVing Alaska and Canada.......2003-08-07
This book is a GOLD NUGGET for Alaska Travelers or Arm Chair Travelers.
I read about "Charlie's" adventures twice through and couldn't resist going there myself. Although I traveled by car I included many of the places which I enjoyed in her book. I found many delightful tiny villages and friendly Alaskans like she wrote about. My trip was unforgetable.
Whether you're an "armchair traveler" or you're planning to visit Alaska, this book is a MUST. I give it five stars!
Sue in Virginia
Customer Reviews:
alaska.......2007-10-01
I was told this is a fantastic book to answer all questions about BRITISH bolumbia and Alaska and it certinly does all that, i would highly recommend this book for travlers or people who want to see what its all about, great book. Sincerely Robert Hadlock
Don't go to Alaska without it.......2007-09-23
The Milepost has a mile-by-mile description of what's around the bend, what's to see along the route, services available - we found ourselves reading it aloud as we RV'd down the road. It's a bargain - don't go without it! One caveat, some of the descriptions are written by the business or service described so they read like paid advertisements (which they appear to be, actually) - but on the whole the Milepost is something we used hour by hour on the road and highly recommend for campers, RV'rs, those in rental cars, just anyone with wheels on the road.
Alaska travel journal.......2007-08-28
The book is complete and has some valuable information.
However, it's filled with paid advertising and very heavy. Not the type of information material that you would want to travel with. With a cost of over $25.00 it could very well elimate the advertising making the book one forth the size.
Most of the information contained is available locally or in other sources such as the Lonely Planet series at a more reasonable cost and weight.
I would skip it. In fact I sent the book home one week into a six week trip.
The Milepost 2007.......2007-08-23
Excellent information, extremely benificial in planning a trip to Alaska. I used a milepost guide going to Alaska in 1965, it was a lot different then, but it was an absolute necessity, you HAD to know where goods and services were. It is not as critical now, but, you not only find out where goods and services are, but also where historic places are, and interesting side trips. GREAT BOOK !
The Mile Post.......2007-08-09
This is a great resource and I highly recommend it for a trip to Alaska.
A ton of information on each milepost throughout the state and what to do
and things to avoid and even road conditions! A must have for that vacation.
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