Race Across Alaska: First Woman to Win the Iditarod Tells Her Story

Libby Riddles is the first woman to win the Iditarod, which is the Alaskan dog-sled race that covers over 1,000 miles.

As I'm not very familiar with Alaska, I had never heard of Libby Riddles, or the Iditarod for that matter. However, my boss, who is from Alaska, brought me an autographed copy of the book as a souvenir from one of her trips home. I immediately started reading the book and was quickly engrossed in Libby's adventure.

The book is written in journal style. I felt as if I were right there on the trail with Libby throughout her grueling race to the finish. Interspersed throughout the pages are interesting Iditarod facts that help the reader to better understand the life of a musher as well as the ins and outs of the race.

Libby, as well as all the mushers, show an amazing amount of courage and strength. From start to finish, many mushers don't get to shower and exist on an hour or so of sleep every 15-24 hours! Imagine that kind of schedule, coupled with the intense physical endurance they're also experiencing. It was simply mind boggling, but very admirable.

I found this a fascinating read; my only complaint is that I wish it were longer! I wanted the story to continue a little bit after Libby crossed the finish line in Nome!

After meeting Libby personally in Juneau May 2001, I had to read the book! She takes you "with her and her precious dogs" on this adventure with details about the event and how she feels,copes and thrives throughout the 1984 Iditarod.

The best part? She won as a team (with her dogs) and as a person of strength with the knowledge that she would also be a role model from both women and men.

I found the book inspiring!

Libby Riddles proves that being a woman in the middle of Alaska's traitorous terrain can be a blessing, especially when flying behind a pack of healthy enthusiastic dogs. Although this recount of the 1985 Iditarod wasn't written to prove a point about the strength and determination of women, the perseverance of the team with Libby in the lead illustrated the inner drive that makes completing a daunting task like the Iditarod possible. In her own words she describes the incredible task of racing a pack of sled dogs across Alaska from Anchorage to Nome while facing unbelievable odds including ferocious weather, exhaustion, doggie runs, sneaky sweepers, and the ever elusive trail markers. This book gives a behind-the-scenes type of look inside the mind of a determined and intelligent musher making moment-to-moment decisions while coming within inches from mortal danger for herself and her dogs. Libby's story will make you want to harness up your beagle and set out for the tundra of Alaska!

I had the distinct pleasure of meeting Libby Riddles personally on a cruise with Princess Cruise Line. Her talk was so enlightening that I bought the book. This is a must read for every Iditarod fan or interested person. The grueling schedule and trails will hold your interest until the end of the book. You'll find out what Libby cared on her sled, how she prepared for each checkpoint and what all the mushers have to endure to come out on top of the pack. You'll easily learn to respect the mushers and the love/dedication they have for the Iditarod.

This book does a wonderful job of describing the many facets of the Iditarod Dog Sled Race - - the majesty and beauty of Alaska, the personality, strength, and stamina of the dogs, the harshness of the weather, the varied trail conditions and terrain, the sleep deprivation and physical toll exacted on the mushers, the difficulties in following the trail, the friendship and comradery that exists among the mushers, the hospitality of people along the trail, and the excitement of the competition. The style of the writing seems just right - - eminently readable, highly entertaining, very descriptive and insightful. From the comfort of ones armchair, the reader feels very close to the drama, excitement, hardships, danger, and challenge of the Iditarod. While it is true that the author, Libby Riddles, was the first woman to win the Iditarod, to her credit she does not come through as a crusader or a "woman's libber". She is a genuine, sincere person with a great love of sled dogs, racing, the outdoors, and competition. This book is an epic story about how she proved herself to be the best in the world, by winning the Iditarod. She was incredibly dedicated, driven to win, and extraordinarily tough. I highly recommend the book to anyone who loves the challenge, adventure, danger, and excitement of The Last Great Race - - the Iditarod.