Hi,

Can anybody help me find some good books about the old days trappers and pioneers in Alaska and Yukon. There are lots of stories and biographies about the mountainmen of the Rockies but I can´t find anything from the North land. I post this here, ´cos the "Books and videos"-forum seems to be an africana-only place.

Thomas

Probably won't find much history of that area in "English" prior to 1897, but you might find some fur trade history in Russian, or maybe someone has written some of the oral history of the Inuit.

Jim Reardon wrote a book titled "Alaskas Wolf Man" about Frank Glaser, an early 1900's Alaskan trapper. Excellent read.

The book "Alaska-Yukon Trophies Won & Lost is a great read that takes place in the early 1900s.......Morley Bones, the guide in the "expedition," is also in the Yukon Trappers hall of fame. Scott's suggestion, "Alaskan Wolf Man," is a great read.

Joe

Holy Cow! Ovis reminded us of a great book! I second that!

Sealhunter:
If you want a good book on the history of the Alaska/Yukon gold rush era then I'd recommend "Trail to North Star Gold" by Ella Lung Martinsen. U.S. Library of Congress Card Catalog # 70-98194, printed by Metropolitan Press, 1969.
Briefly, it's about the author's parents who went to the Klondike during the gold rush and recounts the family's adventures of the time. A number of colorful characters are written about including Soapy Smith & Klondike Kate.
Don't know if it's still in print but was a good read. Hope this helps, Bear in Fairbanks

Sealhunter;Alaskas Wolfman is one of the best books I have ever read.I read mine cover to cover in 24hrs,you can it at amazon.w/regards

IIRC "Where The Sea Breaks its Back" by Corey Ford explicates the Russian exploration of Alaska from the west. Nothing about the interior Yukon stuff but very interesting nonetheless.

Russell Annabel books are the best Alaska books bar none.Its the books that pushed me to Alaska '.Once you read one you have to have them all.He was a guide from the 1920s to 1955.Its has alot of adventure in it.I live where Alaskas Wolf Man was Written about.I go by Black Rapids lodge all the time.Its an awesome place.I know some hunters who have been in Alaska over 50 years that are still alive that can tell awesome stories.

I agree! I´m halfway through "High road to adventure" right now and for sure, the man could write!

quote:

Originally posted by Sealhunter:
Hi,

Can anybody help me find some good books about the old days trappers and pioneers in Alaska and Yukon. There are lots of stories and biographies about the mountainmen of the Rockies but I can´t find anything from the North land. I post this here, ´cos the "Books and videos"-forum seems to be an africana-only place.

Thomas

"Alaska's Wolf Man"
Written by Jim Rearden, which is a
1915-55 account, of the wilderness adventures of Frank Glaser.

This is a best read about a guy who later owned the Black Rapids road house on the Valdez Trail (richardson Highway). He was a trapper, hunter, and in his later years worked for F&G. He killed sheep and caribou to feed the work crews on the Valdez Trail, and used his .30-06 to kill bears and other game.

This is a 300-page book that is hard to put down on the table once you begin reading it.
----------

"On the Edge Of Nowhere"
Memoir by James Huntington as told by Lawrence Elliott.

This is another nice book about a trapper, hunter, and musher. In his later years he served in the Alaska Senate.
------

I liked reading the first book more than the second, but both are wonderful historical books

"Dangerous River" by R.M. Patterson is one of my favorites. Its about two winters of trapping in the Nahanni River valley (Northwest Territory) in the late '20s.

Also, Dick Turner's book "Nahanni" is a good read.

Dick North's books are pretty good too.

Wasa-Wasa
by Harry Macfie and Hans G. Westerlund

London 1953
Readers Union - Allen & Unwin

This and a first/first Steinbeck novel are the only books on my shelf that I never loan out.

If you can find it (obscure would be an understatement) you understand why.

DJR

quote:

Originally posted by Canuck:
"Dangerous River" by R.M. Patterson is one of my favorites. Its about two winters of trapping in the Nahanni River valley (Northwest Territory) in the late '20s.

Also, Dick Turner's book "Nahanni" is a good read.

Canuck, have both of those too... Dangerous River is an all-time favorite of mine.

I bought Alaska's Wolfman a two weeks ago and have a few pages left. Excellent, excellent read. This guy was one tough mother scratcher. Makes me feel like a ninny desk jockey.

Buy it, you'll be glad you did.

Sounds like Dangerous River's next for me

I always stop by the Black Rapids lodge on my way hunting or fishing .Its an awesome place.Charles Sheldon is another awesome Alaska writer.I think no one will ever beat Russell Annabels books.I am still looking for a copy of Alaskan Tales for my collection.I have a extra set of his Safari press books the limited ones signed that I will sell.I have an extra copy of Hunting and Fishing in Alaska which is awesome and alot of Extra copies of Tales of A Big Game guide.I went by where Tex Cobb is buried in Plamer.Russell Annabel was a guide in Alaska for 30 years.

I really like the show Alone in the Wilderness by Dick Prenneke (sp?) I know he has a few books out. Not really hunting and trapping but just surviving on his own in alaska. I really liked watching him build the cabin with his bare hands.

quote:

Dangerous River is an all-time favorite of mine.

I'm a big RM Patterson fan. Loved all of his books, and the biography of him. Have re-traced many of his steps in the Elk Valley and Alberta foothills/Kananaskis country.

Cheers,
Canuck

quote:

Originally posted by schmaus:
I really like the show Alone in the Wilderness by Dick Prenneke (sp?) I know he has a few books out. Not really hunting and trapping but just surviving on his own in alaska. I really liked watching him build the cabin with his bare hands.

That's a great show, and inspirational too. Makes me feel like a marshmellow every time I watch it though. That guy was hard as nails.