Alaska Books

Having already chosen our cruise, we looked for a compact guidebook that focuses on the ports we will visit this summer. Fodor's Alaska Ports of Call is an excellent choice for those who have already chosen their cruise. Descriptions of the cruise lines and ships are minimal in comparison to other Alaska cruise guides such as Frommer's. However, there is ample information on what to expect once aboard your ship and how to prepare for the cruise. For the individual ports of call, there are concise and helpful descriptions of the cities, sights, excursions available, and restaurants. With the limited time available in each port, this guide will assist traveler in understanding the highlights to prioritize their time. The book is small and lightweight making it an ideal guide to take along on the days off the ship.

My wife and I bought this book late last year to help us plan for an upcoming Alaskan cruise. I had never cruised before and she had only been on one cruise to the Bahamas many years ago. Fodor's gave us everything we needed in one book. As usual for Fodor's, they gave great descriptions and suggestions for all the ports of call for sailing vessels from the Seattle/Vancouver area, up to the northern coast of Alaska. Each port of call game with all the usual Fodor's helpful tips, suggestions and maps to get you around.

What sold me on this book over others was that unlike some others, Fodor's didn't just go over all the ports of call but also all the cruise lines, ships, and cruising in general. For a first time sailor it was very helpful. Packing, tipping, planning, travel to and from, breadowns of each ship, what they're demographic is like, food on the ships, and a whole bunch of other information. For the experienced sailor this may all be stuff you've seen before but for a newbie like me it was great. I highly recommend this book.

We took this along on our first cruise, a trip to Alaska. It really did give us good insight to what we were about to do. It was very useful and very informative and well designed and indexed. Do not leave home without it.

Don Thomas's writing transported me from reality to the sage and spruce covered slopes that I call home. Again I was enjoying the western aroma of sage and pine, the morning sun warming my cheeks and the sight of Jake my lab weaving his way through the brush. Reading the book is as relaxing and uncomplicated as his style of hunting and equipment...no editorial nonscence, cell phones, or $5,000.00 doubles to mask the comradere of Lab and man, his respect for the land and it's bounty, and the love of trusty ole shotguns.

Great illustrations, interesting photos and an informative text on all anadromous and freshwater fishes of Alaska. Ideal book for fish enthusiasts and fisherman. Very strong on taxonomy and description of species. My most used reference for whitefish and ciscoes.

Expertly retold by Eric A. Kimmel and beautifully illustrated by Rosanne Litzger, The Frog Princess: A Tlingit Legend From Alaska is the evocative Alaskan folktale of a young maiden princess of a Tlingit village whose heart is pursued by many different suitors, but none of them are regarded with any romantic interest by her. The Frog Princess carries young readers through the impressively pictured story of the young maiden's interest in the Frog People and her heart-warming struggle to discover where her true home is, as well as dealing with the greatest life-changing decision she's ever faced. An ideal addition to school and community "Myth, Fairytale & Folklore" picturebook collections, The Frog Princess is very highly recommended for all parents and young readers for its creative story telling and superb illustrations.

I thought it was great. 1st person Prentiss N. Gray wrote daily of his trips in Canada , Alaska and the lower 48. My favorite was his British Columbia hunts/explorations between the Peace and Fraser rivers as the title of the book sugests. He took his Wife and 2 kids on hunts as well and documents thier success and failures. Well written and how it was in the 1920-1930's PHOTOGRAPHS WERE FANTASTIC and lots of them almost 1 full page original photo of Prentiss' for every 2 pages. The Scores of photos are worth many thousands of words and the book would be worth it for the photos by themselves. The wilds of B.C., Alberta, Alaska, Montana, Wyoming, etc makes you want to go there

After learning that a recent promotion would also lead to a transfer to Alaska I was eager to learn all I could about the state, and all of its outdoor challenges (fishing, Denali, hiking, and so on). So I decided to oder 2 books.. Frommer's Alaska 2003 and Fodors Alaska 2003.

This Frommer's book is by far the better read hands down in my humble opinion. As the author gives the book a very friendly, and warm tone feel, while keeping upfront and honest opinion's. It is NOT advertisment driven. The author is a life long Alaskan who knows the in's and out's of the state.

Great tips on where to stay, where to dine, and what to avoid. Even tips on how to cook your freshly caught Salmon or how to order it to ensure it's fresh and best tasting. Tons of info on finding some of the best fishing (Salmon, Halibut, Trout), even in the smallest of towns. To the best hiking trails and senic routes (if traveling by car or train within the state). Of course the 3 main cities of the state are covered in depth. Anchorage, Fairbanks and the smaller city and state capitol of Juneau.

It also includes a wealth of info on The Bush, such cities as Nome, Barrow, Kotzebue and Kodiak. A nice read but, I dont plan on spending much time in the Artic.

Although the book does have info about cruises, I did not read in depth in this erea "yet", as I am not cruising, but living there. However, if it's as good as the rest of the book you won't be disappointed.

Also, the free map of the state in the back was a real bonus and had I known I was going to receive a free state map I would not have oredered the Rand McNally Alaska state map and saved myself $4.

If a good all around guide on Alaska from a honest and up front person is what your looking for I highly recommend this book.

Godspeed.

I found this book to be a valuable resource as I prepare for my first cruise. I'm sure I will refer to it again & again for any future cruises (which I hope are many!).

Fun to read. Lots of good historical and modern pictures. Timeline highly useful for researchers and anyone curious! Couldn't find this material anyplace else. This book not just for pilots.