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Based on 15 extended trips to the Canadian far north over a five-year period, Arctic Dreams celebrates the mysteries of what documentarians fondly call "last frontiers." Such places are everywhere in danger of destruction in the interest of ever-elusive economic progress, but Lopez writes no jeremiads. Instead, he aims to foster a kind of learned understanding of wild places, in this case the vast, scarcely knowable northern landscape. Writing of the natural history of the Arctic and its inhabitants--narwhals, polar bears, beluga whales, musk oxen, and caribou among them--Lopez draws powerful lessons from the land and imparts them assuredly and gracefully. Arctic Dreams deservedly won a National Book Award in 1986 when it was first published.
Book Description
Barry Lopez has been hailed as a "master nature writer" by The New York Times Book Review, and Arctic Dreams is undoubtedly his masterwork. Set amidst the shimmering seas of Northern ice, Arctic Dreams leads readers on a journey of the mind and heart into a place that grips the imagination and invigorates the soul. Part adventure tale and part meditation on the art of exploration, this magical book dazzles with the wonder of the aurora borealis; the awesome power of polar bears and killer whales; the monumental grandeur of migrating icebergs; and the beauty and nobility of the Arctic's indigenous people. Evocative and everlasting, Arctic Dreams is a classic.
Customer Reviews:
Barry Lopez Froze my Brain.......2007-09-10
I would, sincerely, rather scrape linoleum tile off of a concrete slab than read any more Barry Lopez.
Environmental Nonfiction.......2007-04-12
This arctic study goes under the surface of the ice to bring out the subtleties in arctic life. You'll uncover mysteries without answers in this nonfiction work.
Arctic Dreams. Barry Lopez........2007-03-27
Arctic Dreams is an extraordinary book, immediately a classic work of its genre, environmental nonfiction. Chapters focus on muskoxen, polar bears, narwhal, the migration of birds and of caribou, the otherworldly temporal states and unusual lighting and light-bending phenomenon of the northern polar regions, the mental and perceptual states of the northland's human residents and visitors, and the history of European and American/Canadian exploration, and exploitation, of the arctic. Lopez examines the artic with a careful and attentive eye, recognizing its subtleties and mysteries and not demanding that they be reduced to something that the reader will feel he has brought fully within his or her understanding. The writing is appropriate to the subject in view; alert, unhurried, and deliberate.
"One of our long-lived cultural differences with the Eskimo has been over whether to accept the land as it is or to exert the will to change it into something else. The great task of life for the traditional Eskimo is still to achieve congruence with a reality that is already given. The given reality, the real landscape, is 'horror within magnificence, absurdity within intelligibility, suffering within joy,' in the words of Albert Schweitzer. We do not esteem as highly these lessons in paradox. We hold in higher regard the land's tractability, its alterability. We believe the conditions of the earth can be changed to ensure human happiness, to provide jobs and to create material wealth and ease. Each culture, then, finds a different sort of apotheosis, of epiphany, and comfort in the land." (from the epilogue)
On page 406 of my 1986 edition, Lopez writes, "The European culture from which the ancestors of many of us came has yet to . . . understand the wisdom, preserved in North America, that lies in the richness and sanctity of a wild landscape, what it can mean in the unfolding of human life, the staying of a troubled human spirit." If there is a 'short list' of great environmental nonfiction, this book is on it.
Good Arctic Study .......2006-01-18
This is a really good book. I think the author's ability to describe the Arctic environment and its inhabitants in glorious detail. Each chapter is devoted entirely to an Arctic creature or an environmental characteristic or to some historical context. My favorite chapter by far is "Ice and Light". In this chapter we get, I think, the most detailed description to be found on the colors of icebergs, flora, fauna, sea, and general landscape of the Arctic. In addition to that, we get an added bonus (especially for you astro-geeks out there). Lopez delves into the atmospheric phenomena that occur in and around the Arctic. I found this section to be truly amazing. The occurrence of these atmospheric effects resulted in some unique sightings by early explorers only to be later attributed to these phenomena. All in all, this is a really good read.
One of my favorites..........2006-01-08
My favorite book, since I was in high school, has been Steven Pressfield's Gates of Fire. I never thought any book I ever read could trump the drama and emotion of that book, but Arctic Dreams is its equal, if not its superior. I do admit I am biased. This book is like a life story of a person I have been in love with for my entire life. I've read a ton of books on the Arctic, and this is one of the best.
Each chapter encompasses a different part of the Arctic: to name a few, polar bears, narwhals, muskoxen, migration patterns, ice and light, Pingkok Island...every chapter, every word, every phrase in this book sticks. You cannot read this book without imagining an intensely beautiful place. The book also contains large chunks of Arctic history, of which Lopez seems to be a huge fan. He refers to expeditions, scientists, discoveries, famous explorers and researchers of the North, and also speaks of everyday people, everyday encounters, and thoughts and feelings all people experience at one point or another. The book is written with a combination of frankness and fascination that is difficult to describe. The book's chapters also touch on many different places in the North, from Alaska to Banks Island to Baffin Island to Greenland, Svalbard, Franz Josef Land, Kendall Island, and many more. The book is a story of an enormous part of the world, combining history, philosophy, science, literature, sociology, and a great deal of personal reflection.
Maybe only someone completely obsessed with the Arctic could enjoy the book so completely. Maybe not. I've read some other reviews, and people who have read the book simply to learn something new have enjoyed it just as much as avid fans of the Arctic. There are a million things that make Arctic Dreams one of the best books I've ever read in my life. There is currently a copy on Amazon for $5.10. You can't buy anything as good as this for such a small amount. It's impossible. I'll read and re-read this book over and over throughout my life, and find something new every single time..
Book Description
In 1988, at the age of 50, Helen Thayer became the first woman in the world to travel on foot to the magnetic North Pole, one of the world's most remote and dangerous regions. Her only companion was Charlie, her loyal husky, who was integral to her survival. Polar Dream is the story of their heroic trek and extraordinary relationship as they faced polar bears, unimaginable cold, and a storm that destroyed most of their supplies and food. A new epilogue, maps, and many previously unpublished expedition photographs are new to this second edition. “A page-turner.... Fully captures the drama of what was a remarkable achievement.” — The Washington Times
Customer Reviews:
Outstanding book--50 year old woman and amazing dog's trek to North Pole.......2007-03-30
Great book. Helen Thayer set off in her 50s to walk to the magnetic North Pole. She did it only with Charlie, the polar bear wonder dog, given (sold) to her by the Inuit who were sure she wouldn't survive without a dog team who knew how to fend off polar bears. She finally agreed to taking one dog, who became her true partner in the journey (and afterward). The story is an outstanding tale of what she learned about herself and how she and Charlie so totally bonded, mutually dependent on each other. Helen prepared well and clearly fully respects Nature in all senses. It is also a wonderful tale about Charlie--about the intelligence of dogs we people would see more often if we just give them a chance to be themselves. This is an outstanding book for anyone of any age and hopefully will help more people understand the criticality and fragility of Nature, and the importance of treating animals (in this case, dogs) with true respect, care, compassion, and love. The book clearly shows the intelligence not just of Charlie, but also of the various polar bears Helena encountered (and successfully avoided attack from, without killing them). It also is an excellent book to get people thinking about themselves and their thoughts. Some of the lessons Helen learned, for example, included early on learning to say "no" as well as the importance of remaining positive and in control even when Nature seemed to be in control via a strong storm whirling around her for several days at a time. She includes photos from her journey, which also are amazing. An exciting, excellent book. I highly recommend this for everyone.
I can't believe she did the whole thing!.......2004-08-17
I am a big fan of stories of artic adventure, and this is one of the best. In this day of snow mobiles and ATVs, we have a woman at 50 -- author Helen Thayer -- setting out to walk to the magnectic north pole, pulling her own sled and accompanied by an Inuit dog she had only known for a couple of days. On her first day out, she suffers such terrible frostbite of her fingers they become almost useless. (I would have called it quits right there.) Then come polar bears -- one the world's most deadliest creatures. And they keep on coming. Some curious, some life-threatening. But, she continues on her amazing journey, not for fame or fortune, but for scientific information for her program Adventure Classroom. There are some fantastic photos included and very helpful maps. Her writing style is breezy and compelling. It's trimph of the human spirit and the bonding of a dog and companion. What a terrific book.
An Explorer and Her Dog.......2003-07-30
An extraordinary true story of courage, determination and fortitude. Every chapter not only contains the wow factor but is an illustration of what the human spirit is capable of. Thayer is an accomplished writer who keeps the reader wanting more. An incredible story of a woman and her faithful dog Charlie, as they endure the hardships of polar travel on foot together with no dog teams or snowmobiles or resupply.
Sue White
Edmonton, Canada
Described in vivid, engaging detail.......2003-02-09
Polar Dream is the personal memoir of Helen Thayer, the first woman (and the oldest person at age 50) to travel on foot, unresupplied, to the magnetic North Pole. Her harrowing trek on skis for 27 days, aided only by a dog trained to warn her of approaching bears, is described in vivid, engaging detail, as are her seven encounters with polar bears which she survived through skill, luck and quick thinking. Black-and-white photographs, including ones taken by the author during her trek, enhanced a narrative of profound insights into the beauty and wildness of the arctic. Readers who appreciate true life adventure will enjoy the excitement and wonder of Helen Thayer's Polar Dream.
Overcome,Never Quit, and Win.......2003-01-09
I first read this book in a German translation and then attended a lecture in New York by Helen Thayer, the author. Because of her amazing world wide adventures from the Polar Regions, to the deserts and the Amazon rain forest I expected someone six-feet tall. Instead I listened as this five-feet-three-inch diminutive dynamo enthralled her audience with her solo walk to the magnetic North Pole at 50 years old and her subsequent adventures including a trek of almost 1,500 miles across the Gobi desert last year at 63 years old.
Polar Dream, the story of her solo walk to the magnetic North Pole with her Inuit dog Charlie is invigorating, with a down to earth humble look at life.
Charlie is loyaly devoted to Helen and saves her life from a polar bear. Polar Dream has been available for ten years. The first edition was excellent and the second edtion is even better with many more photos. I bought 14 books in English, 4 books in German, and one in Dutch for Christmas presents and all recipients are inspired and can't wait for Thayer's next book.
The fast moving, highly descriptive story is sentitive and not afraid to expose vulnerable inner thoughts and feelings.
This is a great book for men and women as proven by my Christmas gift list.
And kudos to wonderful Charlie, Helen's devoted dog-assitant and life saver on the journey.
Customer Reviews:
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah Vollmann!.......2005-12-22
This book is worth reading if only for his journalistic sections of his personal stay in an abandoned station in the arctic. Also, his section which describes the equipment used is pretty fun to read once you've finished the story.
I found sections of The Rifles to be quite monotonous, and the historical thread seems to run a lot thinner here than in dreams 1 and 2.
About our continent in the days of THE RIFLEMEN . . ........2005-05-28
Having now read all four currently published Dreams in this series, The Rifles, which is the shortest of the four at 340 pages (+ 70 of source notes, glossaries, etc.) seems the most strange and dream-like. It is a cutting edge blend of modern travelogue, historical research, and imagination. The ill-starred Franklin expedition of 1845-1848 to discover a northwest passage underlies this volume's take on the larger series theme of European and Native American interaction. Two central aspects of this theme are the Canadian relocation of Inuit peoples in the 1950's from Quebec to various Arctic islands, and the hypotheses that rifles were the ultimate source of demise for these peoples. As in each of the other Dreams, Vollmann injects heavy doses of modern realism into the "Rifle-text", having at once the effect of scattered shards of glass in a children's sand-box, and ice-bergs jutting from a tranquil sea. Landscape descriptions are consistent in their non-romantic portrayal of desolation, serenity, and danger. As Vollmann states in an end-note, it is a sort of companion-piece to The Ice Shirt. Both take place in the North American Arctic and include thinly disguised and candidly undisguised personal travelogues which complement the "ages" in which each novel dwells. Beyond the historical contexts of this novel, there is the sad & twisted "love story" between the modern Inuit-Quebecois girl Reepah & Subzero (who should be added to the list of male-female counterparts I mention in my review of Argall). But this is no ordinary love, since it sometimes involves Captain Franklin, his wife, the author himself, and the Inuit goddess Sedna. The author's alter-ego Subzero, exchanges delirious thoughts on women and exploration with Captain Franklin as though time and place were immaterial. In fact, distinctions are altogether absent in many passages and it's almost impossible to distinguish between sets of characters. On page 120 Vollmann (or is it Subzero?) asks, "...are you behaving differently at this very moment because someone not yet to be born for a century of more will someday think about you?" There are similar sequences in The Ice Shirt, and to lesser degrees in Fathers & Crows, and Argall (each work uniquely powerful & worthwhile), but here in the most "modern" dream this timelessness is much more pronounced. Sound confusing? Check out the source notes for hints & clues if necessary, but it definitely helps to stay alert to which "voices" are speaking (the narrative frequently alters between 1st, 2nd, and 3rd-person) and to understand that much of the novel deals with the author's own (mis-)adventures in modern-day Arctic Quebec in relation to & for insight into the original Franklin expeditions. With Vollmann's Seven Dreams series it's best to read on and not get bogged down, because a lot of stuff that doesn't make sense at first will make sense later.
Next up, Volume 7: Cloud Shirt? From what I understand this will be about the Hopi & Navajo in the American Southwest during the 1970's-1980's. Volume 4, Poison Shirt might be about King Phillip & The Great Swamp War of the mid-late 17th century. And Volume 5, Dying Grass is slated to cover Chief Joseph of the Nez Pierce plains Indians. Whatever he turns out, whenever, I can't wait - Vollmann's dream series is forcing a much needed up-date in the consciousness of the various "Ages" of our North American continent.
Good Cold Fun.......2004-08-03
I enjoyed reading the Rifles quite a bit. That being said, it was not quite up to par with the Ice Shirt. The plight of the native people of Northern Canada (it depends on who you ask what they wish to call themselves) is not something one usually reads about. While there have been numerous accounts of the plights of other native peoples, the arctic is usually reserved for stories about the "great white explorers" and have little to do with those living there. I enjoy how Vollmann refuses to pass judgment on his characters, leaving them to become real humans. I will continue to read this series and look forward to the next installment.
A masterpiece of writing.......2002-12-10
Although though it may be hard to begin Vollmann's "7 Dreams" series because each book in the series is so massive, it is certainly worth the time. Not only is Vollman attempting to create, with some fiction, the entire history of North America, each volume he writes is a totally new undertaking. New people, names,histories, and unique grammar reflective to the period. A truly talented author who has thoroughly researched his subjects and makes you feel that you are right in the middle of the action in the snow and ice, Vollman is writing the series out of the time seqences in which the history appears, but since each is complete in itself, that does not matter. I look forward to his next "dream."
Post Modern American History.......1999-05-27
Unlike so many historical fictions that flood the marketplace, Vollmann's *The Rifles* strives for something unique, combining first person narrative, historical reflection and a fictional combination of the two which delves into the meaning of history and the attempt to render it to the present day reader. I found this book rich in poetic imagery and personal philosophy, at times dense, at others, whimsical. Overall, however, I enjoyed Vollmann's view on the desire of John Franklin to find a Northwest passage paralelled with Vollmann's own 'fictional' desire for a woman of the Inuit group. The two begin to merge as history merges with the present and we find ourselves lost in Vollmann's frantic mind searching for truth and perhaps a way out of his own obsessive drives. There is much more to say about this book, in fact I wrote a master's thesis on it, but I leave it for others to decide. I just wait to see where he goes from here.
Average customer rating:
- Artic Dreams.... is one strange exprience.
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Arctic Dreams and Nightmares
A. Ipellie
Manufacturer: Theytus Books
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ASIN: 0919441475 |
Customer Reviews:
Artic Dreams.... is one strange exprience........2000-08-01
The book title is pretty straight forward, "Artic Dreams and Nightmares." So, the contents are sometimes difficult to grasp and often disturbing, because the written imagery are also accompanied by strange visual interpretations. Nevertheless, the the twenty short stories are still great experiences, therefore desserve three stars.
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ARCTIC DREAMS.
Barry LOPEZ
Manufacturer: Charles Scribner's Son.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: 0333422449 |
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Arctic Dreams
Carole Gerber
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ASIN: 1580890741 |
Customer Reviews:
Arctic Dreams is Lovely.......2000-06-05
This is a wonderful bedtime book for toddlers and preschoolers. The words and pictures go together beautifully, and the repetition of the phrase "go to sleep, my little one," is soothing and comforting. "Arctic Dreams" is a bedtime favorite at my house. I highly recommend it.
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Arctic Dreams
Manufacturer: Picador
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- arctic daughter
- A great expedition from the warmth of your own reading chair
- Just as Good as Arctic Daughter
- Loved this book and Arctic Daughter also...
- Good story, fair writing, new-age philosophy, poor editing
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Arctic Son/Fulfilling the Dream: Fulfilling the Dream
Jean Aspen
Manufacturer: Menasha Ridge Pr
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Binding: Hardcover
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Arctic Homestead: The True Story of One Family's Survival and Courage in the Alaskan Wilds
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One Man's Wilderness: An Alaskan Odyssey
ASIN: 0897321731 |
Customer Reviews:
arctic daughter.......2006-08-03
i read this book years ago when goin through hard times and i got hope and inspiration from it. in my opinion very personally written.i enjoyed it right from the very first page.
A great expedition from the warmth of your own reading chair.......2002-07-03
Arctic Son keeps the reader "involved" and teaches you about surviving the Arctic North. I learned it is not something I would like to do, with months upon months of frozen everything and darkness. This book helps you to appreciate what you have and the warmth of your own home! It is nice for this authro to write about her adventures in the Arctic and share this true life tale with us, the readers.
I recommend reading this if you are interested in exploring the world around you, especially the wild and frigid Arctic North.
Just as Good as Arctic Daughter.......2001-03-01
I couldn't wait to read this book after having enjoyed Arctic Daughter. The two adventure stories stand alone as exceptional works -- not of literature -- but of true adventure stories. I found Arctic Son to be true to Jean Aspen, the woman and adventurer. It was real in content, description of events, feelings and thoughts, and it allowed me to live out my own dream of building a cabin in Alaska without leaving home. Additionally, Arctic Son proved that even after a family comes along, adventure is still attainable and very rewarding to the soul of all. At the same time, the mental and physical risks and costs of such high adventure are made quite clear. This book was just as good, if not sweeter, than the first book. Also, it isn't necessary to read both books sequentially to understand events or motivation.
Loved this book and Arctic Daughter also..........2000-12-20
I first heard of Jean Aspen when a condensed version of her first book, Arctic Daughter, appeared in a Reader's Digest. I have since acquired, with difficulty, my own copy of that book. I later located Arctic Son in a used bookstore. I felt the point of both books was not to elevate the art of literature, but rather to convey the life-shaping experiences of her years in the arctic, using literature as the medium. I understand Jean and Tom filmed portions of their time in Alaska during the "Arctic Son" period, and I would love to locate a copy of that, if possible. Any help out there???? At any rate, both books are great to curl up with and dream about during a long winter.
Good story, fair writing, new-age philosophy, poor editing.......1999-12-31
I love reading about Alaska, and I wanted to love this book, but while the story was fascinating, the writing was tepid and the philosophy was a bit adolescent.
There is a passage in which she describes the arctic light and the way it reminded her of classical music: to most of us, this might mean Bartok, Poulenc or Debussy; she thought of George Winston.
It wasn't a travesty, merely a disappointment.
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Polar Bears
