Book Description
The history of Alaska is filled with stories of new land and new riches -- and ever present are new people with competing views over how these resources should be used: Russians exploiting a fur empire; explorers checking rival advances; prospectors stampeding to the clarion call of "Gold!"; soldiers battling out a decisive chapter in world war; oil wildcatters looking for a different kind of mineral wealth; and always at the core of these disputes is the question of how the land is to be used and by whom.
Major themes include Alaska Natives, exploration and mountaineering, mining rushes, railroads and aviation, military operations, and the conflict pitting conservation against development, with a spotlight on the current debate over oil drilling in ANWR.
Some want Alaska to remain static, others are in the vanguard of change. Alaska: Saga of a Bold Land shows that there are no easy answers on either side and that Alaska will always be crossing the next frontier.
Customer Reviews:
Accidentally bought it, but kept it on purpose.......2007-08-09
Walter R. Borneman tells the interesting social and political history of Alaska, from the Native peoples through the Russian occupation and the sale to the United States down to the present day. The last 100 years or so is covered in greater detail than much of the time prior, but this is still the most comprehensive book about Alaska that I could find. Given the large size of Alaska there is a lot of ground covered in this book from mountaineering and those who surveyed and climbed the peaks to the gold rush and oil boom to the exploitation of sea otters and salmon and the overall exploration of the land. I have had an interest in learning more about Alaska for about a year now, and all I could find in my local library was Michener's immense and sometimes dense "Alaska," which is, of course, historical fiction. It was helpful and covered in detail what might be called the "eras" of Alaska's history, but the fact that it was fiction made it confusing when trying to learn the real history. Nonetheless, it provided a good basis and context. But Borneman's great book gives the real history and names without lumping so much history together, and it does so in a very readable and entertaining way. I had checked out this book from the library but accidentally ordered it from Amazon through "one-click" ordering. Amazon graciously offered to take it back, but I've enjoyed the book so much that it was an easy decision to keep it. It's helped me to gain a much better understanding of the area (but if you're especially familiar with the Juneau area and don't mind sharing your knowledge, please send me an e-mail).
Alaska: Saga of a Bold Land.......2007-05-12
This a well written history of our 49 state. Anyone interested in the history of Alaska will find this book interesting.
Alaska: Saga of a Bold Land.......2005-08-29
This book contains very detailed info. After traveling to Alaska and taking some 400 photos, this book has helped me put together a more detailed narrative to go along with the photos.
Get weaker as the history moves on............2005-06-11
I thought this book does an excellent job of relating Alaskan history prior to statehood. The impact of Russian America and World War II proves to be well written. After statehood, it seem like only thing that went on in Alaska were related to oil, native land claims and 1964 Earthquake. There were whole lot more that took place in this state during the last 45 years that the book covered. Unfortunately, the author seem to be enamoured with the big headlines subjects in the post statehood period.
A thick book but its quite readable. For people living outside Alaska, this would be an excellent introduction to the Alaska's history. For the local folks like me, first half of the book remains interesting while the latter half appears to be rehashed of newspaper material. It may have been wise if the author stop at statehood and then wrote a second volume since he seem to have a decent flair for writing.
Readable history of Alaska.......2004-03-20
Borneman presents an exceptional overview of the history of Alaska which isn't mired in the minutiae of detail that many historians feel necessary to disclose. Because of this, he keeps the pace pretty quick. There is an excellent bibliography in the back of the book for those interested in studying the subject in more detail, but Borneman presents a lot of history in these pages. I faulted the book on the maps, which are small and therefore not very detailed. Most readers might not find this too much of a problem, but I like to follow along the trail, so to speak, with the author.
Book Description
The Thousand-Mile War, a powerful story of the battles of the United States and Japan on the bitter rim of the North Pacific, has been acclaimed as one of the great accounts of World War II. Brian Garfield, a novelist and screenwriter whose works have sold some 20 million copies, was searching for a new subject when he came upon the story of this "forgotten war" in Alaska. He found the history of the brave men who had served in the Aleutians so compelling and so little known that he wrote the first full-length history of the Aleutian campaign, and the book remains a favorite among Alaskans.
The war in the Aleutians was fought in some of the worst climatic conditions on earth for men, ships, and airplanes. The sea was rough, the islands craggy and unwelcoming, and enemy number one was always the weather--the savage wind, fog, and rain of the Aleutian chain. The fog seemed to reach even into the minds of the military commanders on both sides, as they directed men into situations that so often had tragic results. Frustrating, befuddling, and still the subject of debate, the Aleutian campaign nevertheless marked an important turn of the war in favor of the United States.
Now, half a century after the war ended, more of the fog has been lifted. In the updated University of Alaska Press edition, Garfield supplements his original account, which was drawn from statistics, personal interviews, letters, and diaries, with more recently declassified photographs and many more illustrations.
Customer Reviews:
The True Story of Occupied America iin WWII.......2007-08-02
For many military history buffs, it is the pieces of history that remain laregely untold (or at least unheard) that hold the most appeal. Brian Garfield's dramatic--yet detailed--account of the American/Japanese chess match in the Aleutians is one of the best-written accounts of an overshadowed campaign I have yet to come across. Garfield's attention to detail, honesty, and even-handedness results in the type of read rarely found in modern military history volumes. From the mundane life of a soldier on the uninhabitable Alaskan islands to the overwhelmingly costly combat that occured on, around, and above U.S. soil, the story of the Aleutian campaign is anything but forgettable. A must-read!
Reader who lived there.......2007-06-05
Very good book! Having spent three years living in the Alutians (Adak)in the early 90's, I can't imagine the living conditions there 40 years earlier. One summer day in 1991 stands out in my memory. We were blessed with both a clear day, which are very few, and far, far between, and a Reeves Aleutian Airline's pilot that took us on a sight-seeing tour on our way out to Shemya, before heading towards Anchorage. He flew low over several islands allowing us to see the reamins of an old airstrip, a ship that had been sunk near another island, whales in the Bering sea, and gave me some memories of things not a lot of people will never see. Having read the book before this flight, it gave me an odd feeling knowing of some of the events that had taken place there years before. I think you'll enjoy reading this book,
The Thousand Mile War by Brian Garfield.......2007-04-11
Having served in the Aleutians durning the Cold War and part of the Vietnam War, my interest was heightened. Also, having a dear friend who was actually there from 1940 through 1945 and hearing him tell of the characters in the book was enlightening. The book was well written, well researched and gripping in its "real life" portrayal. I recommend this book to all who like to read about actual events and see their realationship to the bigger picture.
Excellent Popular History of the "Forgotten War".......2006-10-02
Brian Garfield's "The Thousand-Mile War", first published in 1969 and periodically reissued since, may be the definitive popular history of a largely forgotten theater of the Second World War. In a highly readable narrative account, Garfield describes the savage struggle between the United States and the Empire of Japan for control of the Aleutian Islands and the territory of Alaska.
Alaska was still a sparsely-populated territory when the Second World War broke out. General Siomon Buckner, commander of U.S. Army and Air Forces in Alaska, immediately grasped the importance of Alaska's proximity to Japan, Russia, and the U.S. West Coast. Buckner began a single-minded campaign to build military bases, airfields, and railroads in preparation for a Japanese invasion. That invasion arrived in June 1942, simultaneously with the Battle of Midway. The Japanese Navy bombed the U.S. Base at Dutch Harbor and landed troops at Attu and Kiska in the Aleutian Islands. It would take fifteen months for U.S. forces to dig them out of their strongholds.
The campaign in the Aleutians was unique in the annals of the Second World War. The United States and Japan were fighting at the extreme limit of their respective supply lines, in an area where extreme weather conditions were a third combant in the struggle. Garfield vividly describes the appalling weather conditions under which the U.S. Army Air Corps conducted thousand mile bombing raids, first against the Japanese garrisons on Attu and Kiska, then against the Japanese home islands. U.S. and Japanese ground forces suffered more casualties to the windy, cold, wet conditions than to their respective opponents. U.S. and Japanese naval forces groped for their opponents in fog-bound Aleutian waters; decisive results were rare.
Garfield's account highlights the strong personalities of leaders on both sides of the fighting, who were forced by the harsh weather and austere supply situation to be innovative in providing the means of war and in motivating their soldiers, sailors, and airmen. That military planning was often as confused as in any other conflict should come as no surprise; that U.S. forces overcame so many obstacles to be successful should be a source of inspiration, thanks to Garfield's account.
This book is highly recommended to students of the Second World War seeking an account of the fighting in Alaska, and to students of the history of Alaska seeking to understand how the Second World War changed Alaska.
Called the "definitive" account but..........2006-05-31
The author makes his share of mistakes. He constantly refers to the 4th infantry regiment (of the Alaskan defense command) as the "4th Division." His account of the ground war on Attu and the Kiska mis-adventure suffers at the expense of giving too detailed an account of the air and naval war.
I would rate this as a "good pocket book" account of the battle but not the definitive.
Product Description
The first full-scale history of the only military campaign fought on North American soil in World War II. Based on Japanese and American sources. Illustrated with 32 pages of black & white photographs in center section.
"Beautifully done...exciting and authoritative...In the tradition of Martin Caidin and John Toland, his story moves and entertains and instructs. It is a splendid achievement" (Martin Blumenson, Washington Star).
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- The "Aftermath" of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution...
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YUKON The Land of the Midnight Sun
S. A. Erdélyi
Manufacturer: BookSurge Publishing
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ASIN: 141964419X
Release Date: 2007-04-23 |
Book Description
YUKON, Land of the Midnight Sun, is the second book in a trilogy by the author. The story leads the reader through an era from the time when the Military Highway was constructed between Dawson Creek, British Columbia and Delta Junction of Alaska, USA, to 1966. The highway was best described by one of its early travelers, Troy Hise, in his poem: "Winding in and winding out Leaves my mind in serious doubt As to whether the man who built this route Was going to hell or coming out." After WWII, opening up the Military Highway (Alaska Highway) to civilian traffic ended travel by romantic paddle-wheeler on the Yukon River between Whitehorse to Dawson City. The boats that plied the treacherous waters of the Yukon River were dry-docked in Whitehorse and the important role they played in the life of the territory was nearly forgotten. With the highway open, the Yukon began to develop by leaps and bounds.
Customer Reviews:
The "Aftermath" of the 1956 Hungarian Revolution..........2006-12-09
"YUKON, Land of the Midnight Sun" is a welcome new book that arrived on the horizon.
A Hungarian Freedom Fighter -- Alexander in the 1956 Hungarian Revolution and Freedom Fight -- escaped with his family from the Communist tyranny and its retributions after the Russians, with the support of thousands of tanks re-occupied Hungary on one of Hungarian history's saddest days, starting November 4, 1956.
The Erdélyi family wanted to get as far away from that dark hole of Communism as they could. They waited in Vienna, and due to limited admissions to the United States at the time, they decided to emigrate to Canada.
The book is a fast-paced account of taking a foothold in Canada, the hardships they endured in the Yukon Territory. It was no dreamland, it was not a land of honey and butter where you just had to reach down to the sidewalk and pick up the nuggets of gold. While they grew up in the harsh weather conditions in Hungary, nothing could have prepared them for the 'Land of the Midnight Sun', its arctic conditions most of the year.
Having been fortunate enough to land in California, I can only shudder at the thought of what they had to endure. Reading the book, I was shivering. His description of life there was almost a live personal experience for me.
He accounts for the hardest first ten years in Canada. Throughout the book, you can feel however, he loves his adopted new Homeland.
I live in the United States, and have not heard or read much of the experiences Hungarian refugees had in Canada.
This book is definitely a "must read" for all of those, who care about social conditions, history and freedom.
This is Alexander Erdélyi's second book, after "Peace, War and the Aftermath". While his first book is about his coming of age, the second book reflects a far more mature person's outlook on the world in the 'Aftermath'.
I feel, I must mention two items in the book.
One is a typing error, on page 153, the first sentence in the second paragraph: 'By January, 1956,' should read: 'By January, 1966,'.
The second item is a little more difficult to explain. It is a question, of historical facts, which without further explanation may be misunderstood.
While the Erdélyi family was waiting in Vienna, in January 1957, rumor was that the US will not allow entry above the open annual quota. Unaware of the later changes, Alexander draws the mistaken conclusion, that this remained so, and refers to 20% of Hungarian refugees accepted by Canada, 2% by the United States, and the rest, almost 80% by the rest of the world. The reality however, is different. The US allowed approximately 5,000 refugees with a permanent residency status, that is 'Green Card', and an additional at least 30,000 refugees, myself among them, with a temporary status, a 'White Card'. Thereafter, approximately during 1959 the US Congress passed new legislation to allow political refugees into the US as permanent residents regardless of any quotas. This "political refugee law" is still the basis of political asylum being granted by the US. So in fact, the total number of Hungarian refugees who settled in the United States is quite close to those settled in Canada.
Too bad, he did not make this clarification in the book. To be sure, until I read this book, I had no idea, how many Hungarians emigrated to Canada.
In an overall rating on a scale of 1 to 10, based on the presentation, readability and content, I would judge this book as a "must read" ten.
Book Description
The barren and bleak Aleutian Islands were a mostly forgotten extension of the Northwest Territory until World War II. Purchased in 1867 through the efforts of Secretary of State William H. Seward, American ownership of Alaska and the Aleutian chain were perceived as a means to project American dominance in the Pacific. In 1942 the Japanese landed on Kiska and Attu islands in an unsuccessful attempt to draw the U.S. carrier fleet away from Midway Island. They continued their occupation until driven out in 1943 by some of the most bloody fighting of the war. In this major contribution to a little-studied field, author Galen Perras draws on material from Australia, Canada, Great Britain, and the United States to examine the military strategy and impact of flawed decision-making on the Aleutian conflict. This well-researched history is an impressive addition to the annals of the Pacific war. 14 photographs. Line drawings. 3 maps. Paperback. 6 x 9 inches.
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Alaska Gold Trails, Volume II
Jim Madonna
Manufacturer: A.P. Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 1891733125 |
Book Description
Life in Alaska's Frontier as Told by the Pioneers Who Blazed the Trails——Twenty Alaskan pioneers tell the story of carving out a life in Alaska during the early to mid-1900's.
Book Description
In 1942 Attu, the westernmost island in the Aleutian chain, was home to two Americans and forty-five Aleut hunters and their families. Located one thousand miles from the Alaska mainland and isolated by year-round damp fogs which manage to survive the constant high winds, Attu was called by an early visitor “the lonesomest spot this side of hell.”
In June 1942 Attu and the nearby island of Kiska were invaded by the Japanese in the hopes of accomplishing several goals: forestalling use of the islands by the Americans, hindering U.S.-Soviet cooperation, and establishing bases for attacks on the American mainland. On 11 May 1943, the U.S. effort to retake Attu began. The struggle was essentially an infantry battle. The ever-present fog, rain, and high wind limited the use of air power, and the craggy terrain made mechanized equipment next to useless. The infantry retook the island foot by foot.
Lieutenant Robert J. Mitchell was one American wounded in the battle. During his convalescence he took down the accounts of the survivors while their memories were fresh. He presents them here in their own immediate, direct, and informal language.
Customer Reviews:
A Fantastic Account .......2007-09-10
I bought this book because my father fought in the battle for Attu in WWII. He hardly ever spoke about the War but did say Attu was the worst place on earth. The accounts written in this book have given me much greater insight into the things he described to me late in his life. This book has also given me even more respect for the men and women who fought in WWII, and the hardships they had to endure, to protect our freedom.
Excellent book and a must read.
Straightforward.......2004-04-03
Not a great piece of literature, not always well written, and sometimes hard to pay attention to -- but this is a straightforward, brief and accurate history. I gave the book to a Veteran of Attu, and he said "This is right on the money."
Worth reading if you have interest in Attu and the history of WWII.
Could have been better.......2001-11-17
This book had a hard time keeping my attention. It is of course, short stories from the men who were there and originally written to be read by other soldiers only, in a soldiering magazine, circa 1944. I felt "The Thousand Mile War," was much better written and left me with a better understanding of the battle for Attu. Now, please understand some of the soldiers stories were very interesting, but more of them weren't, in my opinion.
An outstanding contribution to World War II studies........2000-06-06
In 1942 Attu (one thousand miles from the Alaskan mainland and the western-most island in the Aleutian chain) was home to two Americans and forty-five Aleut hunters and their families. In June 1942 Attu and the nearby island of Kiska were invaded by the Japanese in the hopes of forestalling use of the islands by the Americans and hindering any U.S. - Soviet cooperation, as well as establishing Japanese military bases for attacks on the American mainland. On May 11, 1943, the U.S. effort to retake Attu began. The struggle was essentially an infantry battle. The ever-present fog, rain and high wind limited the use of air power, and the craggy terrain made mechanized equipment next to useless. The American infantry retook the island foot by foot. Lieutenant Robert J. Mitchell was wounded in the battle. During his convalescence he took down the accounts of the survivors while their memories were fresh. In The Capture Of Attu, he presents them in his fellow combatants own immediate, direct, and informal language. This compilation of eye-witness, front-line infantry descriptions is a very welcome and highly recommended addition to the growing library of World War II memoirs now available for scholars and military buffs.
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Warplanes to Alaska
Blake Smith
Manufacturer: Hancock House Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 0888394012 |
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- The Legend of Bryan Smith
- not what I expected but very good
- Ketchum take notice? You've Got to be Kidding!!!
- Great Fun
- Beware
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The Freakshow
Bryan Smith
Manufacturer: Leisure
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Ghoul
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ASIN: 0843958278 |
Customer Reviews:
The Legend of Bryan Smith.......2007-09-20
As others have said, Bryan Smith is unlikely to win any awards (even genre-based ones), but that's not going to stop him from writing. Smith's books are the equivalent to catching some Grade Z horror flick in the dead of night - you know it's not critically acclaimed, but its rough edges and gonzo "go for broke" attitude entertains. "The Freakshow" is probably his most "ambitious" work to date, chronicling the attempts of an extradimensional sideshow to take over Earth. Or something. All I know is, it feels like David Cronenberg-style "New Flesh" shoved through a garish drive-in splatter movie. Complete with ridiculously low-budget SFX. Bryan Smith is a real guy who drinks real beer and listens to real rock and roll music.
not what I expected but very good.......2007-08-31
An interesting read that kept my attention. Gruesome and grotesque, just the way I like it.
Ketchum take notice? You've Got to be Kidding!!! .......2007-08-29
One customer of this book mentions in his review--"Jack Ketchum take notice", regarding Bryan Smith's book The Freakshow. Are you serious?? This book tried too damn hard to be gory. It wasn't FUN, it was ridiculous. Smith borrowed from Texas Chainsaw, obviously, but also House of 1000 Corpses (blue-faced guy in the woods, with mascara?!), and the most notable, Killer Clowns from Outer Space. This book MIGHT appeal to 13 year old boys, dying to read something that they aren't supposed to. As far as true horror, ANYONE can write about hacked-up bodies and freaky sex, but Smith just doesn't do this stuff justice. For true horror and books that will bother you long after you've read them, no one can touch Jack Ketchum. You actually CARE about what happens to the people in his books (ok, not the cave dwellers!!). In Smith's Freakshow, he tries so hard to make his characters shocking, with their language, swaggering, and "bravery." Who cares what happens to ANY of them?? They are all one-dimensional, comic book characters with no depth whatsoever. Save your money!!!!
Great Fun.......2007-08-04
Bryan Smith's style isn't for everyone, but if you love pulpy grindhouse fun like Texas Chainsaw Massacre, I Spit On Your Grave, or the works of Richard Laymon and William W. Johnstone, then you'll have a ball with this.
Beware.......2007-07-13
Possible Spoilers contained within this review. This is my first and likely my last Bryan Smith novel. His writing style just doesn't work for me. As for the story outline itself, it's alright but nothing that hasn't been done and done better. There's several problems with the book. One, you are thrown immediately into "the action" with no prelude or build up of the story so you are a little confused in the beginning. Two, you really just don't care about any of the characters (Heather, Mike, Jinx, Shiela, Braddock, Craig). Three, this is pretty much an erotic gorefest the goes overboard in places; namely nearly every single female at some point is naked or engaging in carnal activities, not necessarily of free will. It's a bit disturbing and depraved if you have a weak stomach.
There are several sub-scene flows for the characters that eventually tie them together after their own little 'adventures' before the big finale. The antagonists of the Freakshow are led by Miss Monique, a sultry two-headed queen of the freaks. There was more potential to expand on the freaks themselves but it never really happens, instead they just hover in the background doing very little. Backstory is there are two earths, different dimensions, our earth and the Nothing where the freaks come from. Well it's dying and they have been crossing riffs into our world and infiltrating it for centuries.
Plain and simple, I probably would have liked this much more if there were fifty pages of build up in the beginning. This book reminds me a bit of Edward Lee's "Flesh Gothic" only with an inferior story.
Product Description
#5 in a 5 issue series, September 2003.
Books:
- All the Sundays Yet to Come: A Skater's Journey
- America and Lewis Hine: Photographs, 1904-1940 (Aperture Monograph)
- Andrew Jackson as a Public Man What he Was, What Chances he Had, and What he Did with Them (American Statesmen)
- Andrew W. Mellon: The Man and His Work
- Arabia and the Arabs: From the Bronze Age to the Coming of Islam (Ancient Peoples)
- Arthur Cayley: Mathematician Laureate of the Victorian Age
- Basic Black & White (Developing Printing Enlarging)
- Basics of the Video Production Diary (Basics of Video) (Basics of Video Series)
- Beyond Codependency: And Getting Better All the Time
- Black Sun: The Brief Transit and Violent Eclipse of Harry Crosby (New York Review Books Classics)
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