3 comments about Iditarod Fact Book: A Complete Guide to the Last Great Race 2nd Edition.

1. If you're a facts junkie this is the book for you. Every race, every racer. Great reference or bet settler. Greg



2. This book is good for beginners, but don't be fooled it is packed with history a good information.



3. The book is in an orderly format. Easy to read & is good for just skipping around & reading the facts at a glance then you can go back & read it in order if that is your style.
   
   There is no 'story' just titled and accurate facts interesting enough for the veteran Iditarod fan or the newcomer. I wished I'd purchased this book years ago.

5 comments about Running With Champions: A Midlife Journey on the Iditarod Trail.

1. I really enjoyed reading Lisa's book, "Running With Champions". I thought it gave a great "insiders look" at what it really takes to run the Iditarod. As a reader, it was overwhelming to read about the physical preparations it takes just to get your gear and dogs ready... the endless hours of running the dogs, and of course, learning how "NOT" to do things. That is ALL before you get to the Ceremonial Start in Anchorage!
   
   I thought that her writing style was engaging, and she was more than willing to share the ups and downs of her adventures. I enjoyed her sense of humor about the goof ups, and accidents she had during training. I thought her insights into living with and training with one of the "Big Dogs" of mushing, Jeff King, was fascinating. I have often wondered what makes these mushers tick.
   
   I have read other books by other female mushers, and by far, Lisa's book was the most engaged, and engaging. Very thoughtful, warm and fun... Thanks for writing this book for us middle-aged gals!



2. After a tour through Danali National Park in June, 2008, one of the people told us that our driver, Lisa Frederic, had written a book. As we had been totally captivated by her as our tour driver, we bought the book when we returned home. Having met this charming, lovely woman in person it is totally fascinating to read about this amazing phase of her life. This is a book that totally pulls you in right from the beginning and never lets go. You feel the the love, pain, struggle, and the joy that permeates this book. After reading what Lisa went through to achieve her dream, and feeling as if you were in some way experiencing it with her, you truly have a sense of what it means to not give up and to do whatever is necessary to reach your goal. I hope there are more books in her future and that life is very good to her and her husband, David, who must also be a very special person.



3. What a wonderful, wonderful book !
   
   This book tells the story of Lisa Frederic who comes to racing relatively late in her life. She volunteers for the Iditarod and gets hooked on the sport. Within 5 years, she is running in the Iditarod herself at the age of 42. Not only is the story inspiring, it is well written and interesting. She spends the first half of the book describing the process she went through to be able to run in the Iditarod (cleaning the dog yard, trainig the dogs, etc.) and the second half of the book talks about the race itself.
   
   Lisa conveys both the thrill and heartbreak of running dogs and you come away understanding just how tough this really is to do. For a 46-year-old mom from Indiana, all I can say is "WOW!". While running in the Iditarod is not something I want to do, I love reading about people who have done it. This book is an absolute must read for anyone who is interested in dogs, the Iditarod or taking chances and doing somethind different with your life.
   
   Other good books on this subject: "Winterdance" by Gary Paulson and "Race Across Alaska" by Libby Riddles.



4. As a new fan to Iditarod sled dog racing, I let my enthusiasm over rule my better judgement in selecting books to read about the subject. This particular book is a woman's diary filled with emotion. Too much emotion for me. I didn't count but she was crying, on the brink of crying, hiding tears or bawling her eyes out about a hundred times.
   
   If you are looking for more of a story of the history and technical side of the Iditarod, then look elsewhere. This book had me subtracting the page number of the page I was reading from the last page number so I'd know how much more of it I had to read before I was finished. I knew the end of her Iditarod was coming but the finish was anticlimactic to say the least.
   
   If you want to read about a middle aged woman's fears, worries, insecurities, and eating disorder, then this might be for you. For Iditarod fans, it will probably leave you searching for another book or two on the subject.



5. Lisa is a fun writer and even better tour guide in Denali National Park. After going on one of her wonderful tours, we sought out this book and weren't disappointed.It helped feed my appetite to learn more about mushing. I laughed all the way through, but was very proud of Lisa for hanging in there through some really tough times. BUY THIS BOOK.

3 comments about Dogs of the Iditarod.

1. Filled from cover to cover with glorious full-color photographs, Dogs Of The Iditarod by Anchorage-based professional photographer Jeff Schultz celebrates the canine participants in Alaska's famous Iditarod Sled Dog Race. These dogs' athletic endeavors, their incredible endurance, and their very special bonding with their owners are all showcased in this fantastically visual and highly recommended read for dog lovers everywhere.



2. Being partial to sled dogs myself (I am owned by two) I very much enjoyed leafing through this book. I actually bought it as a gift for my brother who adopted an Alaskan Husky last year, but I may have to buy another copy for myself!
   
   Good portraits of the various types of dogs which nowadays run this intense and challenging race. The photos and text give you a glimpse into the world of sled dog racing, yet the book also shows the "gentler" and "calmer" side of these magnificent animals (lets enjoy the quiet times, as we know, calm or slow is not really an important part of their vocabulary!).
   
   If you love sled dogs, get this book, it is worth it.



3. This not a serious book, but shows the dogs at various stages of the Iditarod. Fantastic pictures of these dogs who are ready to run any time...Dogs of the Iditarod

1 comments about Mush! Revised: A Beginner's Manual of Sled Dog Training.

1. First, let me state that I have not read this book yet. But, I have read positive reviews of it and thought one piece of information could be very helpful. This book is said to contain information on canicross, bikejoring, skijoring, pulking, backpacking and camping, in addition to sledding. Since there aren't many books out there yet which cover these topics, it's good to find one that does.

2 comments about Storm Run: The Story of the First Woman to Win the Iditarod Sled Dog Race.

1. Libby Riddles' Storm Run is a picturebook of the exciting true story of the first woman to win the Iditarod Sled Dog Race in Alaska. Storm Run is the story of fulfilling one's dream, daring freezing treasures and bonding with loyal sled dogs. Wonderfully illustrated by Shannon Cartwright with soft, full-color artwork, Storm Run is an especially recommended giftbook for young girls nurturing their own dreams.



2. My grandchildren and my ESL students are collecting state quarters, and the next one to be issued honors Alaska. The final selection was of a grizzly bear catching a salmon at Denali Park. However, among the finalists was a drawing of a musher, mushing along his dog-sled team. My foreign students had never seen this part of Alaskan culture, so I looked for a book on the subject, preferably with pictures, for my hour-long classes fly by quickly. Storm Run" proved to be the perfect vehicle for my purpose, since I was able to match new vocabulary with beautiful pictures.
   
   Libby Riddles, the first woman to win the 1,100-mile race, is also a wonderful role model for young girls. The pictures are inviting. "Storm Run" should be included in everyone's birthday or Christmas lists.

5 comments about Race Across Alaska: First Woman to Win the Iditarod Tells Her Story.

1. Libby Riddles brings you on the Iditarod trail with her. You will feel her cold, her fatigue and the fur of her dogs whom she loves above all. This is the ultimate armchair adventure. It's incredible top believe that people actually put themselves through this. A bonus feature of this book is the informaive sidebars. I recommend it with five stars.



2. i found this book an amazing story about a womens courage to do something not many women did. do the iditerod. i think that her courage shows through and shows men that girls are just as powerful as they are. even today the world see's women as delicte people who need to be taken care of. but no we are we are strong and powerful and when i read this book i read that message loud and clear.
   miss riddles stood out in my mind. i was truly sad to hear of her death. it would have been my dream to meet her and her dogs. when she realized she was going to win i felt excited for her victory and her strentgh. when she died the world lost one amazing women. may she rest in peace.



3. I loved this book! Every chapter being the description of one leg of the Iditarod Race, Libby Riddles brings the reader along for a roller coaster ride of excitement, emotion, and a love of dogs. After every chapter I would have to describe in detail what happened to my own dogs' grandparents and relay the anecdotes of her endearing (yet sometimes wild) sled dogs (we have two huskies as well, so I could relate tremendously). The book was really an insider's guide to the Iditarod and sled dog racing culture. I was in awe of how helpful and hospitable the residents of Alaska were towards the racers and their dogs, as well as how helpful the racers were to one another. As soon as I finished it, I wanted to read it again! (And probably will within a year)



4. Really interesting book for those who love real life adventures and/or animals. The reader really gets a feel for what the racers go through while on the trail. I actually had a chance to meet the author last year. She had plenty of great stories to tell about her life with her dogs in Alaska.



5. Libby Riddles is the first woman to win the Iditarod sled dog race in 1985. This is her race autobiography. Thru her retelling of the tale, readers learn about the race, the dogs, the weather, and all the little hardships that go along with the Iditarod trail. From an old washing machine in the middle of the trail, moose carcasses, negative 52 degree weather, broken sleds, doggy frostbite, dogs in heat, and even bootie piracy(I mean dog booties), Libby experiences a lot of bad luck and not only lives to tell, but crosses the finish line first, two and a half hours before anyone else.
   
   It was actually her braving a nasty storm and the Northern Winds that got her ahead. She was the only one to dare it and it worked. Wow. Pretty amazing. Libby gives most of the credit to her dogs tho. I really liked learning about the dogs and their different personalities and how she determined who goes where in the line up.
   
   It fails to hit the five star mark due to layout issues more than writing. It is done in a "newspaper" column like format and most of the time, half the page (the inner column) is a complete blank. It makes the book appear twice as long as it is. I wouldn't have minded so much if they had filled in the blank spaces with pictures. Preferrably dog pictures or the pictures that Libby says she took. (Where are the waterfall pictures???)
   
   Nevertheless, a fun and educational read. Gee (Right) on, Libby!

5 comments about Stone Fox.

1. The Best Book (by Jenna and Gabby)
   If you have not read Stone Fox, you need to. This book can teach children many things such as what it was like living in the 1880's. It also teaches you to always try your best and always care about others. You can also learn that being kind when someone else is suffering makes you feel proud of yourself. You would like reading this book. The author included many details and made us want to keep reading. Go read this book now! You'll love it!
   
   The Best Book Ever! (by Omar)
   I gave this book five stars because it had excellent characters and interesting details. I liked how Willie entered a race that was for older people. Willie's grandfather is depressed and Willie has to get $500 to pay the tax man. Willie has to win the dog sled race. It's all up to him. That's all I can tell you for now. You will have to read the book to find out what happens. The thing I liked best about this book was it was filled with action and I couldn't wait to find out what happened. The ending was kind of sad but I still thought it was a great book.
   
   The Amazing Stone Fox (by Karrina and Katie)
   Stone Fox is an amazing book. We couldn't wait to find out what happened. Grandfather has to apy a lot of money to keep the farm but grandfather got ill and now it's up to Willy to save the farm. Willy enters a race to get the money.Do you think Willy will win? Stone Fox will try to win too. Willy entered a race that for adults. I wouldn't expect a kid to be so brave. Willy is helpful and cares a lot about his grandfather. The reason we liked this book is because Willy was an amazing character and Stone Fox turned out to be an awesome person too.



2. This is a very fast read. The story is engaging especially for kids 10-12 who want a good story but don't want one with too much description. Some of the story could be troubling to adults, but kids will accept the story's parameters. It begins with the mystery of why young Willy's grandfather is sick. It turns out that he has given up on life...but why? Willy finds out that his grandfather hasn't paid his taxes for 10 years and his debt now seems insurmountable and the tax man cometh. Willy is a likable character because he loves his grandfather and will do anything to help him get well. Adults may be upset that the old man doesn't seem to care about the fear he is putting the boy through. But Willy just begins to do what he can as his grandfather has always done for him. Willy discovers that there is a dog sled race in his town and the prize is just enough to pay off the tax bill. He can enter even though he only has one dog, Searchlight. But a famous Indian, Stone Fox, is also entering and he has never lost a race. There is a violent scene which is upsetting, but Willy comes to understand that Stone Fox has a very pressing reason to win the race too. What happens the day of the race is the greatest mystery in the book. The ending satisfies in many ways but it will be difficult for readers younger than about 10 to deal with.
   
   I recommend this book for ages 10-12 as I've said. I think it would make a better read between a parent and child so that the parent might bring out some nuances that would be hard for the child to understand.



3. This was my first time purchasing an item from Amazon. I was very happy with my purchase. The book arrived quickly and it was in great condition. No lines, No gas, No hassle. The perfect way to shop!!!



4. I have shown the video of Stone Fox at school to my third grade class and I wanted the book so that we could read the book and compare it to the video. I am very pleased with the book. It was an easy read and entertaining.



5. John Reynolds Gardiner, Stone Fox (Harper, 1980)
   
   Stone Fox has been on my to-read list since the beginning of 2009. When I finally got round to putting it on hold and picking it up from the library, I ended up having it out for twelve weeks. When I finally sat down to read it, it took me less than an hour. I have no idea what this means in the greater scheme of things, but it's got to mean something. Based on a Native American legend (according to its author's brief afterword), Stone Fox is a very short tale of a dog race in Wyoming in winter. Little Willy needs the prize money in order to save his grandfather's farm, and since he knows the route well, he's the local favorite. However, a Native American named Stone Fox and his team of dogs have never lost a sled race, and Willy will be going up against them. Fast-moving tale that could have been longer and not lost any of its luster at all; should be especially attractive to city kids who have never really been out in the places where you can't see a building from horizon to horizon. ***

5 comments about Akiak: A Tale From the Iditarod.

1. A beautiful malamute named Akiak is featured in this book about Alaskan sled dog runs. The story of the old malamute who literally ran herself into the snow, when she reached a point where she could not "run on that paw," Akiak is taken to a dog drop off place. The malamute's indomitable spirit shows through. Instead of waiting for the little puddle jumper plane to fly her out of the area, the curly tailed dog escapes and rejoins her team, even though the team has a lead of several hours on her. The spirited malamute brings to mind MacFadden & Whitehead's 1979 classic, "Ain't No Stopping Us Now." There ain't no stopping Akiak now - she won't give up!
   
   Readers not only race with the mushers, they run with the malamute who would not give up. Her travels and travails become those of the readers; her success will leave readers cheering with delight.
   
   The drawings in this book are masterpiece paintings and readers will come away with a good understanding of dog racing and the rules and history of this sport. A trail map has been included along with some final notes about the sport of dog racing. A masterpiece of a book!



2. I purchased this primarily for the artwork, which is is top notch(as is the story).



3. I have all of the Robert J. Blake Books and they are great...my son loves the stories and we live in Alaska. The books really give you a sense of life in remote Alaska yet the are great for Children. Swift is by far the favorite story.



4. My four-year-old boy and I love this story. It's a fascinating topic, of course, but Akiak is also a very compelling heroine. I stumble over the village names every time I read it to him but it never stops me from getting chills at the end!



5. My third grader studied/followed the Iditarod in school. This is a great childrens story about an unsung hero of the race.

5 comments about Woodsong.

1. I have taught reading and writing to East Los Angeles - Hollenbeck Middle School - children of immigrants for the past three years. When I introduced "Woodsong" to my teens, I was worried that they would not be able to relate to a middle aged white guy in the snow. Not only do my "Americans of Mexican descent" love Paulsen but they love his dogs and other creatures he encounters: Scarhead, Hawk, Cookie, Columbia, Olaf, Obeah, the young dogs who discover fire, the doe that escapes into Paulsen's campsite, and especially Storm. The story of Storm and his stick brings tears to the eyes of even the most macho 14 year olds. Reading this book and others by Paulsen (Dirk the Protector and Older Run) have turned my kids onto reading other books by Paulsen, Jack London, Rudyard Kipling, and Louis L'Amour. I love you Gary!!!!!!!



2. Paulsen's choice of the word, SONG--see WOODSONG and DOGSONG--goes beyond the expected audible and musical implications, for it embodies man and animals' in-touch-ness with static and living aspects of the natural world. Less a cohesive story with a clearly defined plot and anticipated character development this book reveals the author's reflective observations of his own maturation--as a musher and as a human being. With gritty honesty Paulsen chronicles the painful and often humiliating earning curve which he experienced, thanks to his faithful team of huskies over decades in the Minnesota wilderness.
   
   Part I consists of the author's memories-fond and painful--of his cumulative years with dozens of dogs, the canine wisdom which he learned about their amazing personalities and dog sledding, not to mention lessons about Life itself. Part 2 relates in excruciating detail his actual 17-day ordeal (trial by Snow and Ice) running the famous arctic marathon: the Iditarod. Just to finish this endurance trail is a victory for both human and animal nature; they struggle for a thousand miles against extreme weather conditions and brutal terrain across which man and dogs are pitted against the harsh reality of Nature. Written in first-person narrative WOODSONG shares the author's intensely personal feelings with readers, as Paulsen combats the limitations of the body while celebrating the limitless urge of the spirit toward maturity and positive appreciation for the total environment.



3. I read this because the school had a 5th grade class read it and several of the kids expressed discomfort with the level of violence. This book has 132 pages. Death, blood, fear, horror, violence, injuries are on at least half of the pages. There are several scenes that include such things as well described horrible death, of ripping, tearing, steaming blood filled events. Yes, most of it involves animals, though the humans are described with kneecaps ripped away (twice), noses amputated, faces scraping on streets dragged behind sleds, etc. as well.
   The writing is done well enough to make this all quite visually real. It is not for children. Not in my opinion. If you must see for yourself, read pages 5 - 8, the deer death scene. Imagine yourself reading it to your child. Imagine reading it to your child's friends. The entire book is a short read. There is more to consider. No question it's a an experience to read. No question that the person narrating the story is compassionate and has a story to tell. The audience matters, though, and this is not for 5th graders.



4. Winterdance by Gary Paulson was absolutely one of the best books my husband and I have read in a long time. It is in the first person, and a true story and so good my husband read it in one sitting; he just couldn't put it down. I took two but it was all I could do to stop and go to bed, I was so tired I had to but all day I couldn't wait to finish the book. The second book by Gary Paulson we read was Woodsong and it was almost as good as Winterdance, maybe 993/4% as enthralling.....he is a great writer! I highly recommend all his books but especially the ones that are in first person and his true experiences.



5. 
   Woodsong... THE BEST BOOK EVER! I admired Woodsong so much that I stayed up until midnight reading... even after my parents told me to stop. Woodsong is a great short read. I completed it in just two days. It is only 132 pages long and great for the whole family except for small children under eleven years old. This book is by Gary Paulsen, about dog sled racing and eventually the mighty Iditarod.
   
   Woodsong was a remarkable book. First this great author/dogsled musher trains in many small races. He even trains in the Summer and Spring. Wondering how he does it? Well... he has a cart that has tires on it that he can ride on the street, the sidewalk, and even a path in the middle of the forest. Then, he trains and trains until he knows that his dogs are read to run the mighty Iditarod "The Last Great Race On Earth." This was by far the best book that I have ever read. I have read it 5 times and would read it again and again and never get bored with it. To figure out what happens when he runs the mighty Iditarod you'll have to read the book, Woodsong. And ask yourself these questions: Will he win or lose? Will this make you laugh, cry, or both?
   
   I really liked the part of the book when Gary trained and trained actually in the Summer and Spring which to me makes him a pretty dedicated person which you have to be to run the Iditarod.
   
   I really liked book and thought there was a great moral to the story. What I thought the moral was that if you work hard you may or may not get what you want. And if you don't get what you wanted, then you will still get rewarded somehow for working as hard as you can. For example in this book Gary gets to run the Iditarod and may or may not place where he wants to.
   
   
   This book made me laugh, and cry. It made me laugh many times and made me cry at the main climax. It made laugh when Gary Paulsen was hallucinating and thinking people that weren't there were and actually talking to them, all because of sleep deprivation. It made cry when he was going down the "The Chute" or "The Gorge" and getting all cut up because he tied his hand to his dogsled not wanting to lose his dog team. This book also made me laugh when Gary spilled Orange Soda all over the dog booties (which they need to protect their feet). Meanwhile Wilson, Gary's lead dog cuts his foot and needs a new bootie. Next, Gary gives it to him and soon after Wilson is running on three feet with the other in his mouth sucking out the Orange Soda.
   
   As you can tell this is a great book but however it is not for everyone. I recommend this book to for eleven year old kids and up. This author is extremely descriptive and may not be suitable for young children. You may not be able to handle the detailed descriptions if you are under eleven. I think this is a great book for adults but for children you must remember Reader Discretion Advised!

5 comments about Winterdance: The Fine Madness of Running the Iditarod.

1. I'm not sure I could recommend this as "bedtime" reading material. I kept bursting out laughing so hard that I almost fell out of bed. My partner thought I had lost what is left of my mind, that is, until she read it and had the same reaction. Marvelous book. Hard to imagine who wouldn't love it.



2. We have four siberian huskies and dry mush with three, to be able to run our dogs in the snow is a fantasy for us. We are both from Northern states and now live in the south, where we can not even dry mush for 6 months of the year. This book was a virtual treat.



3. Paulsen is a great storyteller, and his talent is obvious in Winterdance. It's rare for an author to so completely envelop the reader into the story as Paulsen does and he takes you on quite a ride. I don't think I've ever laughed quite so hard at his description of taking his untrained self and young sled dog team out for a run on a summer night. While dog lovers will enjoy this book for the admiration Paulsen has for his team, this book will appeal to anyone with a pulse.



4. This is a must read for anyone interested in dogsledding and the Iditarod. It is a first hand account of becoming a musher and training for the Iditarod. Gary Paulsen writes a wonderful dairy of his experiences. There are parts that are incredibly funny especially if the reader has dogs. I find myself going back to this book again and again.



5. Gary Paulsen describes his incredible experience racing the Iditarod in breathtaking detail. His mishaps had me laughing out loud, shaking my head and thinking that his wife has the patience of a saint. I love how he and his dogs evolved from every run being complete chaos to a team capable of running this crazy race.