Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Alaska My favorite Alaska books

Wanted to not mess up any other threads on this. I just went through both my Kindle and other Alaska books. I have 31 that I can count. The two that really held my attention was
Fifty Years Below Zero - A Lifetime Of Adventure In The Far North
Charles D. Brower
The other was the journal of Andrew Berg. Alaska's no.1 guide: The history and journals of Andrew Berg, 1869-1939
To me these 2 are head and shoulders above the rest, even though I have read several good ones.

With retirement, I've developed an interest as well in Arctic and Antarctic accounts.

Just reading one now. The Wilderness of Denali, Sheldon, 1930.

Travels and the study of sheep in the area from the early 1900's. Simply can't envision the days when one could take 5 Dall rams in one day.

Abe's Books is a great place to find old and rare material at good prices.

And the rams close enough to pack them out to sell to the hwy/ railroad crew.

They had a railroad along the foothills of Denali in 1906-8?

Haven't got that far in the book yet.

They were building the Richardson road atop the Richardson Trail within 10 years of then.

I should have added the road houses between fbx and valdez.

I'm thinking of Glaser.

Another good read, tho not Alaska, but Canada

My Life with the Eskimo
Vilhjalmur Stefansson

believe I listed "In Search of the Kuskokwim" before as a reasonably good read... A bit weak on the actual story but a great overview of a pretty amazing guy.

https://www.amazon.com/Search-Kuskokwim-Other-Great-Endeavors/dp/1935347047

Frank Glaser by any chance? Wasn't he the fellow who owned the Black Rapids Roadhouse in the mid 1,900s? If that's the guy, there is a book about him titled, "The Alaska Wolf Man." Great read about an Alaskan who was tougher than nails.

This one?
https://www.amazon.com/Alaskas-Wolf-Man-Wilderness-Adventures/dp/1575100479

Thank you Captain Obvious...

You'r welcome, but I thought that I was responding to Ironbender. My apologies to you.

Indeed that was my reference, Ray.

Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain!

Not in the right format to embed, three of glazers rams. One of which is better than decent
[]http://vilda.alaska.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/cdmg2/id/3206/rec/5

Other pics here from UAA. collection.
http://vilda.alaska.edu/cdm/search/searchterm/Glaser

Outstanding! I was not aware that there were some many photos of Frank Glaser. Thanks for sharing.

By the way, long ago I read a book about a pilot and guide who would take his clients and land his aircraft out on the ice packs. If I well remember his favorite rifle was an old .30-06 (much like Frank Glaser), and his last name was "Kunkle," I believe. I should have the book somewhere around my home, but can't find it

I got that one, Trail of the Eagle by Bud Conkle, as told to Jim Rearden

I collect the old whalers accounts and diarys, gold seekers jounals, and most anything published.

My favorite is the Arctic, and further the personal accounts, no matter when, 200 years ago or yesterday. Explores and first contacts, accounts fromthe Franklin Expeditions, etc.

Of those, I love the descriptive first hand accounts of the Revenue Cutters and the scientists they brought along.
The Revenue Service (predates the Coast Guard) and the Navy both sent cartographers up the Kobuk and Noatak Rivers in the summer of 1884 and mapped the places. Kobuk River has mostly Inupiaq names, as they were accompanied by locals who could name them, though the guys who mapped the noatak had no loacls along, nor met any while they went up the river. (At that time of year people were down at the Ocean Hunting/Fishing, or on the mountain/ridges looking for Summer Caribou)

Anyways, these also came with the very first maps made of the areas, which is extra kiss kiss special, to me at least, as collecting maps is also a hobbie, and I have afew really good ones..





The map has the name ''Koowak'' spelled phonically, which was first named by the Dane Otto von Kotzebue, and its Germanic pronunciation, so its a ''long V'' rather than a ''W'' Koo-vuck'', later englishized to Kobuk..........

Good one. Those old guys were incredibly tough. There is another book about Pinnell and Talifson, who were Kodiak bear guides long ago. The title is, "Track of The Kodiak." But the story about Frank Glaser is the one I found the most interesting since I spend a lot of time on the Richardson during the summer. There was supposed to be another roadhouse about 20 miles South of the Black Rapids Roadhouse, and I have spent some time trying to find its exact location. This roadhouse was destroyed by an Avalanche (told about by Mr. Glaser). Have not found any traces of it at both sides of the Highway.

It should be somewhere near this area, but I haven't found the remains.

Sounds great// Read that book also..

The Berg book is great to me since I have spent a little time in that same country.

Also, I need to bump "Wolf man" up in my queue.

Besides the books already mentioned ALASKAN ADVENTURE by Jay Williams and BORN ON SNOWSHOES by Evelyn Bergland Shores are two other great reads.
Harry Dodges's book KODIAK ISLAND AND ITS BEARS. Is another good one.

A friend has original maps from the Spurr Expedition written of in "In Search of the Kuskokwim." He is very proud of them!

When I was in third grade in Fairbanks in '54-'55 Evelyn Bergland Shore visited our classroom and spoke to our class as her son George was one of my classmates. She autographed my book. Amazing story.

We built a cabin up the Salmon Fork over thirty- five years go very near to where Evelyn grew up and wrote about and always wondered about her. Then around 1993 saw the headlines in the July 19 Fairbanks Daily News-Miner that she was 76 years old and living in Sacramento. We made arrangements to visit and when we called when we reached town she invited us over, had a cake and coffee arranged and treated us like family. She was only about 4 1/2 feet tall but an absolute bundle of energy and a bright and lively conversationalist.
Our son and daughter were 12 and 10 at the time and wrote a letter and sent photos to the Feb 1994 Alaska trapper magazine.
She autographed copies of her updated book for each of us and also gave us a special gift of another book of trapping poems she had written.

10,000 campfires by Jay Massey. It is an incredible book and one that is rare and expensive. Massey had a real knack with words and writing.

Many others were mentioned. I have some that are great. I really like the fleshed out style of Duncan Gilchrist and the Trophy Rams of the Brooks Range. It isnt as flowery as some but it reads very well.

Russell Annabelle's storytelling in any of his books is very good. Hunting and Fishing in Alaska is a superb book. I recommend it highly!

Hell when is Someone going to publish a book on Joe Want.. I buy that thing right now..

Gees turkey give you indigestion and make you super grumpy?

No, cheerful as can be...

You just need to come over some evening when Joe and I are having a few beers 😁

Man that would be something else..

I think I've read just about everything Russell Anabell ever wrote. Very good stuff.

Ron Hayes is working on a book....saw him in Candle this summer, driving a 185....was pretty pumped up about getting it finished.

Dang, glad to read this thread, now I have several more books I want to get ahold of.

What about Butch King, did he ever do any writing?

You would enjoy the Charlie Brower book then. I believe he ran the company whaling station in Barrow.

I just thought I had read them all. As you state, I have more to read now, Thanks fellers.

I used to spend hours in the book store a block from UAF, I found some good ones there over the years.

Back when Title Wave was in a little tiny shop, no coffee shop or knitted hats they knew me by name and had a few books ready from my want list almost every time.

Did you make them kiss your ring? And they handed you a sack of protection money..

I enjoyed reading “Two in the Far North” by Margaret Murrie (sp?). The Murie brothers were early naturalists that did a lot of studies in Alaska and Margaret married Olaus Murie. Frank Glaser worked on caribou and reindeer studies with the Muries. She left Seattle on a steamship in the 1920 time frame bound for Alaska and her description of her early years.

The book Slim Moore Alaska Master Guide: A Sourdough’s Hunting Adventures and Wisdom is pretty good

Andrew Berg lived on Tustumena Lake. He eventually built a few cabins around it to have places to stay during trapping season. He guided hunts, hunted, fished, and was kind of a game warden. The book was great in that it was a daily journal of everything he did from household chores, baking bread, and the trials and tribulations of a remote life style.
He told of a couple heart attacks and just lying in the bush until it past. He was a tough SOB.

Like rowing to Kodiak to see a doctor when he tore up his hand?

Well, he was rowed. I believe he was the passenger.
And, no doc do they turned around and rowed back.

And when it was too rough to beach the boat at anchor point? He slept In the bottom overnight.

That SOB could bake some bread and wash clotches too!

You would enjoy the Charlie Brower book then. I believe he ran the company whaling station in Barrow.
[/quote]

I did

Th beginning was extremely interesting, Charels Brower as a teen, living on the top side of a ship , sailing up the South American coast to SanFrancisco while the below deck burned and smouldered........they didnt stop untill docked, and collected the insurance when it all burned in port....

His descriptions of traveling through NW Ak in the 1880's and his doings and trade with Point Hopes madman Atanghara,............I'd read it again

Ernest 'Tiger' Burch wrote several books on this area, with a [bleep] of personal accounts, my personal favorites.

I did

Th beginning was extremely interesting, Charels Brower as a teen, living on the top side of a ship , sailing up the South American coast to SanFrancisco while the below deck burned and smouldered........they didnt stop untill docked, and collected the insurance when it all burned in port....

His descriptions of traveling through NW Ak in the 1880's and his doings and trade with Point Hopes madman Atanghara,............I'd read it again

Ernest 'Tiger' Burch wrote several books on this area, with a [bleep] of personal accounts, my personal favorites.

[/quote]


I see Amazon list 4 books by Ernest Burch Jr. Which one should I order first?

Caribou, Have you read “The Last Shot”? It’s a good read about how the Confederates chased the North’s whaling ships around the world during the civil war and since word of the surrender at Appomattox hadn’t gotten to them and for them the war continued long after the surrender.

I’m about to begin reading “Tip of the iceberg: My 3,000 mile journey around Wild Alaska the last great American Frontier” by Mark Adams. It’s obviously not a historical account but I don’t care. 😁

I love all the recommendations from the knowledgeable guys about books about Alaska and because of those recommendations I’ve enjoyed a lot of great books. That’s why I tag these posts with long winded blathering. 😁.

Yes. Several books on the northland by Vilhjalmur Stefansson including defense of himself for the Wrangle Island debacles. Enjoyed reading his stuff, but he was obviously quite the self promoter.

A north east account that's a short and fun read is Nunaga by Duncan Pryde. A Hudson Bay account of times when some of us here were youngsters.

Also amazing what disease and alcohol did to Alaska's natives back in the day.

For the Burch books, theres ''Caribou Herds of Northwest Alaska'' (you can see why I read this guys stuff!)

''The Inupiaq Eskimo Nations of Northwest Alaska''

''Social Life in Northwest Alaska''

'' Inupiaq Ethnohistory''

''Alliance and Conflict''

''Eskimo Kinsmanship, Changing Family Relationships in Northwest Alaska''

What makes them fascinating, to me, is that I actually know/knew alot of the folks he interviewed and worked with. As well, his descriptions of conditions and places that are relevant to me in a personal way.


I dont know which to buy first, I enjoy them all

One other good book is published by the National Park Service ''Kuuvanmiut Subsistence; Traditional Eskimo Life in the latter 20th Century'', basically a description of the area, its resources and how it was done and how it is done, today.
Also, in that book, is a description by Lucy Foster, on page 88 she describes hunting with my fatherinlaw, (then known as Koksiinaq) on her back and his older sister' Belle'(Aqtuq) hunting Rabbits with a shotgun, at the turn of the Century. He was born 1903, and given the name 'Joe Carter' by the Census, a Missionary, because Eskimo names were ''Heathen'', (They were saving souls left and right back then with re-nameing people) but he didnt use the English name until the early 40's when he signed up for the Alaska Territorial Guard, and Social Security


Really, everyone of us here has an excellent story to tell, if only we all wrote......

.

''Caribou, Have you read “The Last Shot”? It’s a good read about how the Confederates chased the North’s whaling ships around the world during the civil war and since word of the surrender at Appomattox hadn’t gotten to them and for them the war continued long after the surrender.''

Yes. I eat that stuff up!!

Indeed, not only did the destroy the Yankee Whaling fleet in the Arctic, but they didnt kill anyone doing so.....

When the US Gov sued Brittan for selling the Shenandoah (sp??) to the Confederacy, and its subsequent ravaging of a very wealthy industry, the payoff was used to fund the purchase of Territorial Rights over Alaska in 1867.....

I have found, a few years back, in the sands, what I believe is the keel to the ship ''Lousiana'', a whaler that the Shenandoah chased into Kotzebue Sound and grounded off Garnet point just inside Escholts Bay (on my way to the Kiwalik, I know it well)
When they got stuck, the crew burned the shjp rather than accept capture, and jumped on a small sloop and went into the very shallow Escholts Bay to escape the Confederates.
Its mostly buried, but we dug and looked at a 3x3 x100 or so feet long oak timber with bronze fittings, and records show that that was the only ship of that size to have sunk in the Sound....

I wrote this years ago, but it mentions it;

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/summer-hunting-2-sir-john-franklin.471886/


''Several books on the northland by Vilhjalmur Stefansson including defense of himself for the Wrangle Island debacles. Enjoyed reading his stuff, but he was obviously quite the self promoter.

A north east account that's a short and fun read is Nunaga by Duncan Pryde. A Hudson Bay account of times when some of us here were youngsters.

Also amazing what disease and alcohol did to Alaska's natives back in the day.''


Stefansson was a prolific writer, mostly about the Northern shores of Alaskas Coast and Islands, and the doings of Eskimo and Whalers and the side storys of Ada Black Jack, and others who ended up on Wrangle Island (The story of the USS Jeanette, etc)

Alcohol and Disease have wracked the world again and again. Most went on unrecorded, but the awfull accounts are not only Alaskan Natives, but around the world, several society's adapted and some just dissapeard. "Guns, Germs and Steel'', is a great book on that subject. My connect would be that wifes grandmother died in the 1918 flu in Nome.

Very interesting Caribou and thanks for your contributions to my reading list. 👍

I’ll read your link when I get to my iPad. The phone doesn’t make for the best ebook. 😁

Akaska-Yukon Trophies Won and Lost

I've collected or read innumerable books on HBC [Hudson Bay Company aka "Here before Christ"]

One of the best is Robert Campbell's Yukon.......RC was founder of Fort Selkirk for those of you
that have traveled the upper Yukon River........

Inupiaq Eskimo Nations of Northwest Alaska is on the way.

So Ron is working on a book? Well, he has certainly had plenty of ‘Time’ to assembly all his stories. I would most certainly be extremely interested in reading it as would my father who was employed by the dept of interior and expended mucho effort...... Well, that’s for another time.

I have downloaded many of Ron's online stories and no matter what you think of his ethics, he knows Alaska and tells wonderful stories.

I’d sure like to read that book. I wonder if he drops any names. Ethics? For many, many many years, he had none. He certainly knows AK, not unlike many here. I’m sure he knows the Katmai area very well. Quite the bear guide Mr. Hays was. Buster Shebal could of wrote an interesting book, and Bud Helmericks’ books are a good read. Joe Wants book mentions a guy that was a family friend when I was a kid, Clarence LaBounty on Montegue, he had great stories.

I used to have a link to a bunch of Ron’s stories from the “old day and ways”, I think it was on the website for his fishing lodge. I’m not sure if it disappeared after he sold the lodge or what but I haven’t been able to locate it. Whatever he was he was certainly a character the times I visited with him.

I cleaned up all his guns in anticipation of them being put up on GB. He had some pretty neat stuff, most all hard used and practical type firearms. He was a big 300wby fan iirc. Had a much worn 4” M57 S&W with scrimshaw walrus ivory grips. The scrimshaw had a bear and “Ron Hayes the Alaskan Outlaw”.

As was said, ethics notwithstanding, he’s seen some things and can definitely tell a tale.

Rons not shy about his 2 years in the Fed pen, and self describes as 'The biggest F%$#@! poacher in Alaska '' to quote him.....LOL!!
And hes not slow to throw down a name or three. I belive he could outbrag John Greybill............. LOL!!! (I have to watch my company....)

He's 90 years old and still hard at it LOL!!

Well, I think that’s what really bothers me about Mr Hays, IMO he sugar-coats his past activities, to the point of bragging, of killing trophies and his illegal and unethical stealing of an extremely valuable public resource from all of us who are attempting to improve our image to the non-hunting public. The same public who will more than likely soon determine our fate as the only true conservationists.

And Caribou you mentioned Mr. Graybill, that’s a name I haven’t heard for quite awhile. What’s totally disgusting about that thief (he’d steal fron anybody) is that when fate finally caught up to him, the guy took his innocent wife with him. How sad.

You all have a good evening, and good hunting to all of you.

I hear you Alaskajim.
There is a legal way to do most everything, and keep ones honor and integrity. Some guys will never know those responsibilitys, and bragg about it..

Living alongside a small river, Summertimes, just down river from a former goldrush town, I have the most unusual people ''drop in'' and wax romantic about days gone past....

I make no excuses at all for these guys, but, like most any 'elder' who Im in company with, I do listen to what they say, and visit as politely as I can....... (and I made it out with my wallet )

I take in all sorts of views; so I digress; If Billy the Kid wrote a book, I'd probably read it.

Phil,

I've read many (possibly most) of the books mentioned on this thread, but suspect one of my favorites is the one by you that hasn't yet appeared.

Ron Hayes is a poacher. He is a crook. But he also experienced a lot of heart break and loss. From losing his son. To losing his homestead and lodge in the Wrangells to the NPS and having them burn it up after he cut it from the wilderness. He isn't even allowed to visit the gravesite of his son who is buried there. I am not making excuses but I might not be the most forthright guide on Federal lands after that experience. I have had several conversations with him and he targeted his graft against the feds.

I second that emotion!!

I really enjoyed "Castner’s Cutthroats". Not really a hunting book, but i still enjoyed it!

Thanks for all the recommendations!

Did I not buy a video by the Shebal's? Seems the live or lived in Pa. during the winter. Wasn't he the fellow that hunted wolves from his plane?

Shebal’s movie was called “This is my Alaska” it’s 4 hours or so of old footage narrated by him. Excellent footage of a time I wish I’d have experienced. I have it on dvd and sit and watch it once or so a winter. His wingman and cameraman Cleo McMahan lives or lived north of Glenallen up towards Sourdough.

Yes, you are correct. I visited with Mrs. Shebal by phone to order the video. She was a very nice Lady.

I've flown with Cleo's son Harley a few times. Heck of a pilot.

This is my Alaska is one of my favorite movies, wish I could have been around during that time.

Hate to be redundant but " Alaska Wolf Man" should be required reading for sportsmen that on occasion get into modern day wolf issue descusions.

[quote=Mule Deer]Phil,

I've read many (possibly most) of the books mentioned on this thread, but suspect one of my favorites is the one by you that hasn't yet appeared. [/quote

It's getting close enough John that I can see the light at the end, but it's a lot of work

i picked up a copy of "Pilgrim's Wilderness- A True Story of Faith and Madness On the Alaskan Frontier" by Tom Kizzia. paid a buck for it at a flea market. Anyone here ever read it? Haven't started it yet but it looks interesting

Interesting story in a sick and twisted way...

When reading the Kizza's book I wanted to dig up the bastard and kill him. Or dig him up and beat him with the shovel until I got tired, take a nap then beat him some more.

Probably a better idea!

Is that book about papa?

yup

And not Hemingway!

A bunch of the kids live out over in Palmer now. From what I read they are all doing pretty good considering what they enduredthrough with papa pilgrim..

I met one of the guys in Palmer several years ago. Unfortunately i think he was the guy tbat got his legs crushed in an accident later.

link

I was driving by in the eastbound lane when the accident happened...

Here is a great read, More Alaska Bear Tales by Larry Kanuit.

One of them I've been told owns a Bed and Breakfast off Clarke-Wolverine Rd, up on Lazy Mountain. Pilgrim was a sick SOB.

He got a very nice dall ram this year and was very thankful for it. Inside info on Papa is that he didn't die of a heart attack but people of McCarthy raised 5K and had his dick cutoff in Prison and he died of blood loss.

That is a bright twist on a dark morning!

I hope that is true...

Wow I guess I'm going to have to take the time to read that book sooner than later. I just bought because it was only $1, and the inside cover says its a true story, and it's Alaska.I had never heard about any of it until i bought this book. And I haven't even started it yet.

Bar none...."The Last Viking".

Simply incredible resolve...................

Just received "The Inupiaq Eskimo Nations of Northwest Alaska".

I just got "Fifty Years Below Zero". The intro. was fascinating, telling of his years before Alaska. Looks like they spared every expense on the photo plates, though. They look like a Rorschach test, mostly.

Reading this one right now....very good!