Arctic Homestead: The True Story of One Family's Survival and Courage in the Alaskan Wilds

by Charles W. Sasser and Norma Cobb

Book Overview

In 1973, Norma Cobb, her husband Lester, and the their five children, the oldest of whom was nine-years-old and the youngest, twins, barely one, pulled up stakes in the Lower Forty-eight and headed north to Alaska to follow a pioneer dream of claiming land under the Homestead Act. The only land available lay north of Fairbanks near the Arctic Circle where grizzlies outnumbered humans twenty to one. In addition to fierce winters and predatory animals,...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312283792
• ISBN13: 9780312283797
• Release Date: February 2003
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.5" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

Artic Homestead is the one book I couldn’t put down.

Let me preface this review by saying I’m not a cuddle up with a book kind of person. Typically, I get bored, lose track of which character is which, and fall asleep if I tried to read in bed. Not the case with Artic Homestead, which was recommended by a neighbor, who said Norma Cobb had a lot in common with me. I was totally engrossed from the moment I picked it up. I laughed and I cried and I gave the “hatchet lady “ a high five when she saved Les. I felt like I was right there, envisioning the situations and calamities that never seemed to end. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves tales of the Artic. Only this tale happened to be a true story.

Lots of Lessons

For everyone thinking of homesteading in modern times or becoming more self reliant, this is a good book to read, even if your plans are for more "friendly climates". The book does cover more mundane chores and tasks needed to live self sufficient with enough of the hard times thrown in to remind us of all the grit it takes to really endure and the luck possible to obtain the American Dream. The family is not all knowing or all powerful. They made mistakes (many of them) and learned from them. They also got lucky on more than one occasion, but their hard work and faith is what made them succeed. It's one of the few books that show the mental health aspects of a secluded life, especially in the far north. It is a bit "choppy" to read but Norma isn't a professional author. Rather she is an everyday woman with incredible strength and fortitude. This book is based on her memories of 20+ years and diary entries.

A very descriptive and convincing style of writing.

The book reads like a novel: the characters seem larger than life and events almost too lucky to be true, as they defy death at every turn. An amazing epic of faith, determination, and rugged individualism. The journey starts when Norma's dream where she sees, her family homesteading, 160 acres of land, in Canada. Norma believes homesteading is a solution, too get out of povery: Norma's three plus Les's two. Norma is a Lutherian from Witchita Kansas and considers her roots too be very humble. By the end of te book, Norma is surprised and pleased, at how well, she has done for her family coming from simple roots. Norma tells Les about her dream of homesteading, land in Canada and Les realizes the potential and he too, becomes excited and determined to make the dream - reality by moving his family from the city, too Cobb wilderness real estate. Unfortunately, Les and Norma discovery that Canada has discontinued outsiders homesteading. So Les and Norma turn too Alaska, 160 acres, 5 years of improvements, and the filing a land claim. Les makes the first claim, sight unseen, and remorses after discovering the land has no tree. Les insists Norma file claim on another piece of Alaskian land; a land with tall trees, a creek, a valley, and bears numbering 20 to 1. So Norma files the next claim and they start helping other familys build their cabin, but abandon this effort in replace of an effort too build their own cabin, before winter sets in. This land will become the Cobb's homestead and Norma will be known as the last homesteader in American history. Enroute, the family hooks up with Arnold, who turns out to be their Nemisis. Things turn nasty when Sean accidently knocking Arnolds gun out the door and the gun discharges leaving a bullet path that narrowly missings his missing his heart. Sean is lucky to be alive. Sean is rushed by Bush pilot to the nearest hospital 50 miles away. Sean survives the injury but is very afraid of guns. Norma can not go with Sean and remotely learns, he is ok. Norma dislikes Arnold and paints him as a drunk, bully, and antagonist. Norma recounts one evening when Arnold invades their home and confronts Les at gun point and saying, "I want to settle this thing". Norma saves Les by taking a hatchet to Arnolds hand. Norm becomes known as the "Hatchet Lady" as Arnold poisons the town with his rallings. Norma does not like the locals and prefers only too visit town for supplies. Norma is apprehensive about backwoods hospitality. Les on the other hand invites everyone to help him on his homestead. For example, Norma is paranoid about Eskimo Newman and does not offer him any Bushman hospitality. Eskimo Newman laters becomes a friend of the family and shares coffee with them during his stop overs. Norma paranoia helps her protect her husband at least two or three times. Norma threatens to use her rifle in an effort to protect Les from the Phd vagrant. Norma manifests her paranoia by actively protec

Interesting Book

I almost passed this book up because of low ratings. ..I am glad I decided to buy it and judge for myself. ...It held my interest all the way through. I found Arctic Homestead a very good book.

The last pioneer woman

If you want to know what it might be like to take responsibility for your own life, then read this book. Norma and Les Cobb left Colorado in 1973 to start a new life in Canada because they believed that life could be better away from the cities and they had heard that land was free for the taking. It turned out that the free land was in Alaska, not Canada and it wasn't exactly free - it required hard labor and fortitude that is not often found in people.This is an inspiring book, whether you dream of leaving it all behind or whether you just want to hear how other people have lived the life they chose and made the best of it.Norma has strong opinions about hunting, freedom and personal responsibility. Don't let that turn you off from reading the book! It might just help you see another side of the arguments. This is the best book I've read so far this year.

Arctic Homestead

One of the best books I have read in a while. This book will definitely keep your attention and entice you to stay up all night reading. The book is easily read and comprehended. Almost made me want to move to the Alaska wilderness. I lived in Alaska for three years and traveled extensively in the bush. This book brought out some old memories. Norma Cobb should be commended for writing such a book and being a true part of Alaska heritage and history.

One of the few good books out this year.

This may be a little prejudice but I've known Les and Norma for a few years now and I am excited that she she finally got her book published. You want to read a book that will make you fall out of the chair with laughter on one page and then the next make you cry. Buy the book and read it then read it again. It's that good. I mean you have family struggles, adventure, and guns. If I didn't know better I would swear it was a fictional story from the old west. Like I said I've known them a while and met most of their kids and I work with both Les and Norma. They're good honest people and I'm happy their story is finally out. Thank you Norma for the good book.