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papidoc's review against another edition
5.0
With a trip to Alaska in my near-term future, I wanted to read something about it. John McPhee has always been one of my favorite writer/commentators on environmental issues, so I picked this one up from the library. McPhee didn't disappoint.
ignimbrite's review against another edition
5.0
Since I started traveling to Alaska for work, a few people have recommended this book to me, and I'm so glad they did. John McPhee is an easy, beautiful writer. The portraits of the people, the places, and the conundrums of Alaska as it transitioned from wilderness / lawless frontier to become a part of the U.S. legal system is fascinating, depressing, inspiring all in one. McPhee helped me dream of other lives and other perspectives, and made me think of Alaska with even more awe and humility than before.
mjfmjfmjf's review against another edition
3.0
Meandering, long and slow, especially the last chapter, which my e-reader called 6 hours. This book had three sections - I think my favorite was the first, mostly a trip down river. The second section, about Alaska figuring to change the location of the capital, a story I had not heard. The third was basically gossip, who said what about whom, what their cabin was like, how they supplied. It's only point seemed to be describing what kind of person might have lived around Eagle, Alaska at a particular time. Pretty language, but a bit to fond to unusual non-obvious words.
swoody788's review against another edition
5.0
This may be one of my favorite books I’ve ever read. I’m not saying it’s the best book I’ve ever read, but the experience of reading it was so utterly enjoyable and interesting that despite its worthy length of 438+ pages, I wished for more. Even though the book is dated, and many things have changed since the 1970s, when it was written, I was just lapping everything up. I know my state capitals, and where Alaska’s is, but the part of the book on the debate of where to move the capital had me referencing Wikipedia just to be sure. Getting a glimpse at the various personalities around Eagle was delightful. I adore McPhee’s writing style, and his subtle humor, and this gives me the feeling that I may soon be ready to tackle Annals of a Former World again. I think I will read another one or two of his works first, though, just to be sure.