Folks going to Alaska really ought to read "Alaska" by James Michener. Its a rather long story of the development from the time people walked across the Bering Sea during an ice age, to today's {1985} difficulties with developing school systems that are targeted to Alaskan needs. That story touch's on race, conservation, salmon life cycles, gold rush, weather hardship, oil, west coast politics, wooly mamoths etc. Its a great read and probably available at most used book stores

I read it years ago and enjoyed it, as I have with lots of his novels. His research into the history of where he was setting his novels was always excellent. "Hawaii" was a classic and the movie that was made barely touched the surface of the story. "Texas" is also very interesting to read.

I'll have to get that book. I read Chesapeake years ago. Over 1,000 pages but a good read.

Unfortunately it appears to be unavailable in Kindle which would be nice since trying to hold a 1000 page book can get tedious.

I read it many years ago, too. In order to keep up with where things were happening, I ordered a large state map and posted on the wall in our back hall. It really helped to visualize the events in the book, which is available in paperback, so not quite as heavy as the hardback.We named our first Lab after a dog in the Chesapeake book.

Dick_B wrote:Unfortunately it appears to be unavailable in Kindle which would be nice since trying to hold a 1000 page book can get tedious.Try here: Alaska by Michener

James Michener "Alaska" | Good Sam Community

12 Replies

CA_Traveler
Explorer III
Apr 13, 2015
Just finished it, great story. Up front he gives you information on fact and fiction for each chapter.
ngreen
Explorer
Apr 13, 2015
Looking for Alaska by Peter Jenkins is also a very good read about Alaska and its remote locations
traveylin
Explorer
Apr 08, 2015
I am not surprised....
explorenorth
Explorer
Apr 08, 2015
I've had a LOT of people tell me I should read it as a documentary, not a novel, regardless of what it says on the cover. And then be very surprised when I say that I don't read novels.
traveylin
Explorer
Apr 07, 2015
Well now, if you look at the book cover you will note that it says a novel right under the title Alaska. Hard to miss. Unless you buy your books without covers which is a copy write violation
PA12DRVR
Explorer
Apr 07, 2015
explorenorth wrote:
Just be aware that it's a novel. IMO, he took great history and turned it into a soap opera.

Yep....although still an enjoyable read.
explorenorth
Explorer
Apr 07, 2015
Just be aware that it's a novel. IMO, he took great history and turned it into a soap opera.
rag-ftw
Explorer
Apr 04, 2015
Dick_B wrote:
Unfortunately it appears to be unavailable in Kindle which would be nice since trying to hold a 1000 page book can get tedious.

Try here: Alaska by Michener
Murphsmom
Explorer
Apr 04, 2015
I read it many years ago, too. In order to keep up with where things were happening, I ordered a large state map and posted on the wall in our back hall. It really helped to visualize the events in the book, which is available in paperback, so not quite as heavy as the hardback.

We named our first Lab after a dog in the Chesapeake book.
Dick_B
Explorer
Apr 04, 2015
Unfortunately it appears to be unavailable in Kindle which would be nice since trying to hold a 1000 page book can get tedious.