Unless indicated, I’ve actually read the books detailed and the comments are mine. In addition, click Dog Books for more books related to dogs and mushing in general.
Puppies, Dogs, and Blue Northers: Reflections on Being Raised By a Pack of Sled Dogs
By Gary Paulsen, who has run the Iditarod, this book relates the close bond between Paulsen and Cookie, his lead dog for that race. Although written for young adults, this is a book that any dog or lover of the great outdoors won't want to put down, as Paulsen, usually noted for fast paced action and adventure stories, slows it down and pulls you into his life with Cookie and the special bond that developed between them as they learned and worked together. It may also move you to tears as he recounts her last days, sharing his bittersweet memories of post-Iditarod blues that they both shared. Yet, as with all Paulsen books, there's ample humor and it's difficult to resist visualizing a horde of puppies gradually taking over the Paulsen home. Anyone who doubts the close ties between man and dogs, such as those who routinely claim the dogs are abused, should read this book. You won't forget the image of Paulsen curled up in the dog house next to Cookie, mourning with her the death of a single pup, nor the sadness the both share when age and the poor health of both force them to hang up the sled forever. The bond between Paulsen and Cookie is real, a bond further explored in Woodsong and Winterdance, Paulsen’s tale of his Iditarod adventures.
Winterdance: The Fine Madness of Running the Iditarod
Anyone who’s ever read Paulsen’s books knows his wonderful way with words and how often his sense of humor can make you laugh out loud. This book, tho’ fictionalized, is based on his own adventures....and misadventures....is one of those. I dare you to read this book without laughing out loud as you visual Paulsen, on a bicycle, being pulled by twelve powerful sled dogs through wilderness brush, or his adventures with an inner-tube, old car, and some run-crazy dogs, not to mention the hallucinations he so vividly describes that both plague and amaze him as we follow him on his part fact, part fiction journey through the Alaskan wilderness on his first Iditarod.
Back of the Pack: An Iditarod Rookie Musher’s Alaska Pilgrimage to Nome
When I first began to become interested in the Iditarod, one of the things that most fascinated me was the determination of everyone who entered the race to finish. While all harbor hopes, however slight, of winning, just finishing this 1,000 plus mile race is one of lifes’s most difficult and amazing feats, resulting in the last finisher often dragging in days after the winner has packed up his dogs, sled, and headed home, check in hand. Don Bowers, who fell in love with the sport of Alaska with no real knowledge of either, detailed his often painful adventures as he prepared and ran the Iditarod. You'll quickly be drawn into his story, as his love of his dogs, who emerge as strong, individual personalities, lead him into the adventure of a lifetime. Bowers, who died in a plane crash near Denali in the summer of 2000, was also a teacher and pilot, and wrote well, using detail and humor effectively, making you feel you're there beside him, slogging through the snow, searching for trail markers, and, occasionally, meeting trees and branches all too up-close and personal. You will also share his tears, as he mourns the sudden death of several puppies that have begun to emerge as loveable, definite personalities to him when parvo strikes. You'll also be there with him as he struggles to pay the bills in the face of his growing love of the sport and the dogs, a love that, sadly, brings little glory or money to those who run in the Back of the Pack. Thus, if you'd like to get a real feel for what it must be like to race in the Iditarod, I highly recommend this book. Or, if you've ever read some of the negative publicity put out by a small faction of opponents, you NEED to read this book. It will answer many of your questions and give you, via Bowers, an inside look at the pain those who sacrifice so much for their dogs feel at the false accusations.
Postscript: I was lucky enough to become Don’s friend after sending him an email praising his book. Don was a special person, equal parts frustrating and loving, always open to learning something new. As a teacher, I thank him for sharing his love of this race and Alaska with me. I miss you, Don.
Check out this Annotated Iditarod Bibliography, also done by Don Bowers. Divided into sections by category or theme, it gives you a brief glimpse into what each of the books profiled has to offer to the reader, as well as hints on where you might be able to locate some of the older, out of print volumes. The list is extensive and should be of great service to not only teachers but the average person looking to find out more about the race.
My Lead Dog Was a Lesbian: Mushing Across Alaska in the Iditarod-the World's Most Grueling Race
It took me a bit to get past the title, quite frankly, but when I did, I was glad. Written about his own experiences in the 1991 Iditarod, reporter Brian Patrick O'Donoghue uses humor and insight to give us the rare "backstage" look at the race. His insight into the minds of his fellow racers, caught up in their own race within a race to be the first of that particular group to finish, as well as his ability to communicate his genuine fear as he's caught in white-outs and brutal weather help us understand those that run a bit more. More impressively, he shows these people as real people, not idealized saints or sinners, somehow managing to keep his reporter's neutrality in the midst of circumstances that could have easily cost him his life. As for his dogs, well, title aside, they're also presented as wonderfully individual creatures, animals he both curses and admires, each with its own personality, strengths and weaknesses, making us feel as if we know the team almost as well as we come to know O'Donoghue, who, unlike Paulsen or Bowers, came to the race with little personal knowledge of dogs or the race and emerged with a new respect for those he's stalked as a reporter during the race. You won't get the broad understanding of the race that they paint so well, that overall picture of loving and living with the dogs, but it will give you a rare look into the mind set of those participating in the race itself.
Iditarod: The Great Race to Nome
This is a wonderful introduction to the race. Sometimes poetic, sometimes brutal, the race itself often seems to serve as an almost magical bond to nature for those who dare to take its challenge. Toss in some wonderful photographs and you’ve got a winner. Unfortunately, this book is now difficult to find tho’ I’ve seen a few copies for sale on eBay as well as heard of a few turning up via book outlet searches. It’s well worth the time to try to find, however. Good luck!
Iditarod Dreams: A Year in the Life of Alaskan Sled Dog Racer Deedee Jonrowe
Perhaps one of the most fascinating aspects of the Iditarod, aside from the challenge of man against nature, is the fact that female drivers have proven not only that they can run with the “boys” but, often, beat them. Jonrowe, one of the most popular drivers in the sport, despite the fact she's yet to win, talks about everything from taking care of her dogs to being stuck in a blizzard for over 36 hours with a wind-chill factor of 50 below, not to mention her childhood. The bond between Jonrowe and her dogs, dogs that she is willing to trust with her life, is detailed here in fascinating detail, as is her own strength and determination. All in all, it gives you an inside look at the human side of a musher, one who's driven to tears at the death of a dog and overwhelmed by the sight of her mother cuddling a hoard of wiggling puppies in the dog's house. In addition, like all mushers, Jonrowe is upset by the constant criticism of mushers as being inhumane and touches on this topic, one most books avoid. Having been fortunate enough to visit DeeDee’s kennel and see her dog care in action, I vouch for her devotion and care.
Iditarod Classics; Tales of the Trail From the Men and Women Who Race Across Alaska
This one contains first-person accounts from mushers like Jonrowe, Susan Butcher, Libby Riddles (first woman to win race), Martin Buser, Tim Osmar, Rick Swenson, and more. Mitch Albom, of ESPN/Detroit Free Press, says, “This book is terrific....I promise you, short of getting on a dog sled, traveling into the darkness, and running the Iditarod yourself, this will be the next bet thing to being there.” I wasn't quite as taken with it as that, but, then, unlike many other books, this book attempts to capture individual moments of several different racers, a difficult task since, depending upon your place in the race and the weather, each driver may face two...or more... different races in one. A fun read, however, for a quick, overall feel for the race.
Iditarod Country: Exploring the Route of the Last Great Race
This one might be considered more a photo book than anything else but it is a must. It was put together by Alaska magazine's Tricia Brown and features some of the best race photos I've yet to see. For me, even with just a quick scan, it helped put a face to some of the "alien" to my ears checkpoint names, such as Unalakleet, which means "where the east wind blows," and Takotna, a favorite of many competitors for the feast they're served there.
Mush! Across Alaska in the World's Longest Sled-Dog Race
This one's for the younger set, aimed at ages 4-8, with more emphasis on the illustrations than information, but has a certain charm. Since I miss the age range
by just a few years
Iditarod Dream: Dusty and His Sled Dogs Compete in Alaska's Jr. Iditarod
Since many children are fascinated by the Iditarod but unaware of it's "junior" division, this is a great addition to any upper elementary/middle school dog-lover's library. Factual and accurate, it follows one participant through preparations for
the race and then through the Jr. Iditarod itself, a 158 mile race for participants
aged 14-17. I really liked the illustrations, too, which capture much of the beauty
of the Alaskan wilderness in which the race takes place
Dashing Through the Snow: The Story of the Jr. Iditarod
Whereas the previous book is more story oriented, this one takes a more factual look at the same race, offering up tips on everything from dog care to taking care
of the equipment used in the race. The photographs are outstanding, too. In addition, since much of the info applies equally to any distance race, you will find yourself picking up interesting bits of info that can apply just as well to the Iditarod.
This is the ultimate Iditarod book. If you’re a fan of the race and do not have it, GET IT! Informative and easy to read, it seems to cover just about any topic or angle you could imagine connected to the race. One aspect that attracted me was that it covers not only the race and the proper preparations for it, but the multitude of volunteers that help make the race happen, something rarely touched on elsewhere. If you're looking for lots of info on the race and can only get one book, this is the one.
I'm not particularly into flying but was intrigued enough after discovering that the author of Back of the Pack initially became fascinated in the Iditarod while serving in this capacity, to read this. According to a friend who's a race volunteer, these pilots, like her, are volunteers and work in difficult, often dangerous conditions to help take care of both dogs and mushers, not to mention flying families from checkpoint to checkpoint. This book relates some of their adventures, detailing the often dangerous and unpredictable situations they find themselves in, not to mention the unpredictable dogs they deal with (just ask the pilot who's canvas plane largely became "dinner" to some nervous dogs). Bowers lent the author his notes from his days as a member of the Iditarod Air Force and appears in a couple episodes, giving the book an interesting tie-in with the race itself as you begin to realize that it isn't only the mushers and teams who face danger during the Iditarod. If you want to get a broader picture of the activity behind the race, give this book a read.
NEW The Iditarod Fact Book Spirit of the Wind The following are available at Epicenter Press, which has a wide range of titles dealing with the unique lifestyle of Alaska. I’ll provide reviews eventually but for right now, check out…..
Jon Van Zyle’s Iditarod Memories
Father of the Iditarod: The Joe Redington Story
Sled Dog Racing and Iditarod title available
Okay, that's it for now. Let me know if you have any titles you'd like to see added or, for that matter, send me a review and I'll post it under your name.
Available at Iditarod.com (click on merchandize, then books) This one is fairly new and from Epicenter Press. While it isn’t the sort of book you’ll sit down and read from cover to cover in one sitting, it does serve up a tremendous amount of info in an interesting, easy to read format.
Also available at Iditarod.com and from Epicenter Press. This is the Lew Freedman biography of legendary speed racer George Attla, tracing his life from a scared, unhealthy child isolated from his parents for months at a time in a hospital to present day. For those looking for Attla’s secret of success, sorry, there is much here about his dog handling but the focus is on Attla the man as well as the musher. I have to admit not knowing much more about Attla than his name but found the book an interesting read as Freedman draws you into his life.
