Alaska Books

Qayaqs & Canoes: Native Ways of Knowing by writer/editor Jan Steinbright is a superb presentation of simple, traditionally made water craft among Alaska's Native American population, and the people who build and use them today. Illustrated with gorgeous color photographs taken by Clark James Mishler, and filled with countless personal interviews, Qayaqs & Canoes is a truly beautiful book and very highly recommended reading for anyone interested in learning about the means by which Alaska's Native Americans have traveled the sea from time immemorial.

Reading the memoirs of Rabbi Yisroel Haber is a most exciting and rewarding experience. Formerly serving as a chaplain in the United States Air Force, Rabbi Haber now devotedly serves as a shaliach (emissary of the Lubavitcher Rebbe) in the Golan Heights. From his childhood in Crown Heights to the profound influence of his Uncle Meir Moshe to his three years in Alaska as a chaplain to his early developing relationship and later shlichus of the Rebbe, Rabbi Haber captivates his readers, not without a great deal of humor and grace.

Fundamental Torah principles such as mesiras nefesh (self sacrifice for Judaism), bitachon (trust in G-d), emunas chachamim (trust in Torah leaders), kiruv rechokim (Jewish outreach), hashgacha pratis (Divine providence), ahavas Yisroel and ahavas briyos (love for the Jewish people and humanity) all vividly come alive through the holy work of Rabbi Haber and his wife.

A work of beauty, A Rabbi's Northern Adventure also contains numerous photographs, a letter to the author from President Gerald R. Ford, and at least a dozen letters to the author from the Rebbe. Enjoy this book!

This is the true story of Balto.....Togo a husky we found out was the REAL hero Balto just went 20 miles where Togo went 92 grueling miles!!! This is a GREAT book

Thought it would be a bit thicker but my husband who likes to read outdoor true stories said it was great. He is not easy to please and laid around all one afternoon and finished it. He said he didn't know if a female would enjoy it. I will give it a try, just haven't gotten around to it yet!

Lovely pictures of everyday activities of humans and the birds that inhabit the land with them; including gathering eggs and hanging laundry and life in a small full house and hunting and having fun. Also illustrated mythological/religious events. Nice size pictures with good color. Paintings are whimsical and are not realism, but there's a realistic feel about them. They really portray feeling and atmosphere.

This is a wonderful coffee table type of book which covers the artist's Alaskan watercolors that have been reproduced in prints, posters or as serigraphs. The works shown cover thrity years from 1966 to 1995. In total there are 335 full color prints covered. The book also contains a well written biography of the artist with photos of her at work over the years. If you are a Munoz fan you will love this book. Highly recommended and well worth the price.

The Upper susitna River Valley of Alaska and its many waterways are treasure troves of history. As time flows between the Valley Rivers, interesting events, both significant and insignificant in scope, have occurred and continue to occur today. A few of these historical episodes are chronicled within this book.
Learn about some of South-Central Alaska's first settlers: miners and trappers in the Cache Creek Gold Rush, Talkeetna's Old Timers, the Michigan 59'ers and many more.

Awsome pictures of Alaska's brown bears at the McNeil River. This book is essential for anyone going or planning a trip to photograph the bears on the McNeil river.

This is an excellent lower and upper elementary informational picture book. Rich language is combined with double-page realistic oil paintings as the story of a year in the life of an Alaskan river is told. The river is shown to be a constantly changing home and source of food to many ecologically connected living things.

I can best describe A River Ran Out of Eden as an epic. It's a tale of courage, morals, and combatting inner demons. I would also not hesitate to call it a fable. It clearly shows how a single person can disrupt a perfect little domain. It tells the story of a family that has lived alone on an Aleutian island for years, and are perfect, until a stranger comes to the island. The plot is well-paced, there aren't many characters, but they are very well written. This book also presents the plot from every character's point of view, making it great to read. Each character has distinct problems, and I think their mishaps could easily be applied to everyday life. The symbolism is also applicable, the stranger in the book could easily symbolize modern life, and the family could represent all that is traditional. How these two concepts clash is very real, and makes a wonderful story as well.