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4.26 AVERAGE
4.26 AVERAGE
adventurous
inspiring
medium-paced
What a fantastic and raw way to write about the realities of running the Iditarod. I wish there was more and I didn’t really care for the ending, but nonetheless a very entertaining book that i didn’t want to put down.
A few years ago I watched the series Losers on Netflix and I particularly loved the episode on Aliy Zirkle and the Iditarod.
A couple of months ago, I booked a 3h dog-sledding experience in Finland that will most certainly go down as one of my favourite things to do ever.
When I saw someone on Instagram talk about this book, I knew I had to read it, and let me tell you, it did not disappoint. Dog-mushing seems a wild world at the best of times, but the Iditarod is a whole other ballpark and the author did an excellent job of recounting his experience and challenges.
The writing is engaging, the story is packed full of anecdotes and you can almost see what it would have been liked if you’d been there. It also did absolutely nothing to convince me that I shouldn’t drop everything and become a dog musher.
But seriously though, give this one a read if you want a taste for an adventure out of the ordinary, and go watch that Netflix series for the visual experience. And who knows, maybe one day I’ll be on the start line!
A couple of months ago, I booked a 3h dog-sledding experience in Finland that will most certainly go down as one of my favourite things to do ever.
When I saw someone on Instagram talk about this book, I knew I had to read it, and let me tell you, it did not disappoint. Dog-mushing seems a wild world at the best of times, but the Iditarod is a whole other ballpark and the author did an excellent job of recounting his experience and challenges.
The writing is engaging, the story is packed full of anecdotes and you can almost see what it would have been liked if you’d been there. It also did absolutely nothing to convince me that I shouldn’t drop everything and become a dog musher.
But seriously though, give this one a read if you want a taste for an adventure out of the ordinary, and go watch that Netflix series for the visual experience. And who knows, maybe one day I’ll be on the start line!
Loved it. Just like I love any book about ungodly freezing polar regions or ungodly preposterous pursuits like mountain climbing or having dogs pull you on a sled through the most desolate uninhabited regions of the world. A book written just for me.
*4.5!
One of the first books I remember reading as a class in school was a children's fictional story about a dogsled race in Wyoming. It was the first book in my life I remember having an emotional connection with. Although I don't remember very many details about that book, I do remember that it was about a dogsled race. The Iditarod race in Alaska is the most difficult and famous dogsled race, and it was thrilling to read about. Gary Paulsen is honest about his experience racing as well as his inexperience training and traveling from out of state to race. The whole concept of mushing dogs is so neat to me; hopefully I'll be able to experience it at least once someday. I recommend this book to anyone who has ever felt the urge to drop everything and travel to the Last Frontier.
One of the first books I remember reading as a class in school was a children's fictional story about a dogsled race in Wyoming. It was the first book in my life I remember having an emotional connection with. Although I don't remember very many details about that book, I do remember that it was about a dogsled race. The Iditarod race in Alaska is the most difficult and famous dogsled race, and it was thrilling to read about. Gary Paulsen is honest about his experience racing as well as his inexperience training and traveling from out of state to race. The whole concept of mushing dogs is so neat to me; hopefully I'll be able to experience it at least once someday. I recommend this book to anyone who has ever felt the urge to drop everything and travel to the Last Frontier.
At the beginning of this audiobook I was feeling a 2.5 star situation. Paulsen admits to the ridiculousness of choosing to run the Iditarod (generally, as well as) for the first time with minimal experience. Now that I’ve finished the book I think this works toward character development as well as speaking to the reader (and maybe some comedy). During this section , I was frustrated toward man’s (primarily) need for pride and difficulty for the sake of such when so many people deal with it for lack of choice, and when there are fruitful tasks needed of this world other than conquering nature or ... I haven’t changed how I feel about this. But, I thoroughly enjoyed the second half of the book, Paulsen’s retelling of his first Iditarod race - challenging, maddening, sorrowful, and in presence of buffalo games - and the focus on his connection with his dogs.
adventurous
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
The first half read very slowly but the second half got more interesting. I think overall I was glad I read it but I didn't like it as much as I expected. I think I honestly prefer his fictional books.
adventurous
fast-paced
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
This man’s strength where there was absolutely no reprieve, an amazing feat. It shows how much a love for the sport and life can keep you moving forward. What an experience. An amazing story of true grit.