Publisher's Synopsis
Multiple award-winning writer Lew Freedman collects the big game hunting stories of dozens of Alaskans in this new book, and he brings to life hair-raising tales of close encounters with bears, moose, walrus, musk oxen and more. But he also shares the lighter side, the faux pas of cheechako hunters, hunting both for food and for sport, and the adventures of several top Iditarod mushers who met big critters both on and off the famous trail. Whether hunting for trophies or adding to their larder, the hunters whose stories are in this book all share a love for Alaska which illuminates their adventures!
Lew Freedman goes further than simply relating exciting hunting stories, however, including thoughtful and though-provoking commentary on the history, traditions, techniques, and social concerns which make hunting a complex and complicated part of life in Alaska. In his Introduction Freedman writes, "Long before the written word, mankind set out in pursuit of other species in the wild that would enable people to eat and feed the family and long after it became possible to purchase similar meats in a grocery store, many still seek to live out that same experience as distant ancestors experienced. For some, hunting is a primal need. For others, it is a powerful desire. For many, the act of hunting cannot be replicated by the simple act of forking over dollars at a cash register to place meat on the dinner table."
The chapter titles give insight on the depth and breath of the book, with descriptions which invite the reader to dive right in: Controversial Moose, The Story Tellers Tell Stories, Nalukataq: the Whaling Festival, Bears that Might Have Eaten Them for Lunch, Float Hunting in Luxury. With stories drawn from almost every part of the state, this wide-ranging compilation offers something for everyone, including non-hunters, who will find many interesting and informative descriptions of this important part of life in Alaska.
