One Man's Wilderness: An Alaskan Odyssey Author: Richard Proenneke | Language: English | ISBN:
B0055E8YDQ | Format: EPUB
One Man's Wilderness: An Alaskan Odyssey Description
One Man's Wilderness, written by Sam Keith from the journals of Proenneke, is a re-released classic that first captivated readers twenty-six years ago. First published in 1973, the book chronicles Proenneke's experiences during the first sixteen months (May, 1968 to September, 1969) of his odyssey.
- File Size: 522 KB
- Print Length: 224 pages
- Publisher: Alaska Northwest Books; 1 edition (April 1, 2011)
- Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
- Language: English
- ASIN: B0055E8YDQ
- Text-to-Speech: Enabled
X-Ray:
- Lending: Not Enabled
- Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #28,844 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
- #9
in Books > Arts & Photography > Photography > Collections, Catalogues & Exhibitions - #10
in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Nonfiction > Travel > United States > Regions > West > Pacific - #22
in Books > Education & Reference > Writing, Research & Publishing Guides > Writing > Travel
- #9
in Books > Arts & Photography > Photography > Collections, Catalogues & Exhibitions - #10
in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Nonfiction > Travel > United States > Regions > West > Pacific - #22
in Books > Education & Reference > Writing, Research & Publishing Guides > Writing > Travel
I can understand some people giving this book or the related video only three or four stars; this is one of those stories that depend heavily on the outlook you bring to them. Some might find Proenneke's feat mildly interesting but wonder why he did it. I found it enthralling.
You have to be fascinated by a man who seemed capable of creating almost anything he needed from raw materials using only hand tools. He carves out wooden spoons; builds his log home; turns gas cans into buckets, pots, and in-ground coolers; builds a cache on stilts; works up sturdy door hinges from stumps; and on and on. In our age of repetitive assembly of the same part or being a small cog in a service industry machine, in an age of such specialization even American farmers whose granaries overflow run to the supermarket for bread and then complain about the price, in an age of abundance that comes at the price of over-dependence on others, Richard Proenneke reached a satisfying level of self-reliance now nearly extinct.
I'm reminded of the "Little House on the Prairies" book series in which father Ingalls briefly laments having moved to South Dakota where he was dependent on the railroad trains to bring in food and fuel, compared to the days of self-sufficiency in the woods of Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Proenneke's dream isn't for everyone. Imagine trying to do what he did if your skills are incomplete or you have a family to bring up. Living in the middle of wild Alaska would be more suffering than fulfilment. But what a dream to have, in which you turn your back on the rat race and build what you need to live from start to finish, or as Proenneke says "to do a thing to completion." His accomplishments give me daydream release from the tedious grind of bills and mindless work.
By Ross E. Nelson
I was at Port Alsworth, Alaska, on Lake Clark this July 1999, and bought this book at the Lake Clark Vistor Center. The beauty of this country is awesome and spectacular. The book tells the adventure of a man called back in time. Dick chose to travel into bush country building a comfortable cabin with his two hands at the cost of $40 dollars. Surviving the severe weather with wisdom and common sense. Enjoying and making friends with the wild animals. He had great respect for God's country and the animals. Friendship with Babe Alsworth, a true christian native and bush pilot. I met Babe's son, Glen and his wonderful family, at Port Alsworth. The book is vivid in discribing Dick's many months of survival and adventure in the Alaska bush. The book is very well written and it makes you feel like you are living the adventure with Dick. Pictures of the Alaska country and cabin help to visualize your thoughts. In the busy world of today, it was refreshing to read this book and reflect on how in ages past people lived day by day. I enjoyed reading the book very much.
By J. Thompson
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