Running North: A Yukon Adventure

by Ann Mariah Cook

Book Overview

What happens when a woman and her husband move their family from New Hampshire to Alaska to train a team of purebred Siberian Huskies for the world's toughest dogsled race, the Yukon Quest? They... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1565122534
• ISBN13: 9781565122536
• Release Date: January 1999
• Publisher: Algonquin Books
• Length: 306 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

A family who followed their dream one special winter

Subtitled, "A Yukon Adventure," Ann Mariah Cook's fascinating 1998 memoir chronicles the time in 1992 that she, her husband George and three-year old daughter moved to Alaska to participate in the Yukon Quest, the toughest sled dog race in the world. It was George who ran the race; Ann was the one who drove the truck, carried the gear, took care of their daughter and gave him moral support through the long months of training, and eventually through the grueling event.I've read other books about dog mushing, but this one had the unique point of view of a woman who, while not actually on the sled during the race, experienced her own Yukon Quest experience. She writes clearly and honestly, not shying away from the disagreement that she had with the young woman they brought with them to act as the official "handler" of the dogs. She writes about George's experience on the trail, his frostbite, fatigue, narrow escapes and indomitable spirit as he pitted himself against natural forces over which he had little control. She writes about the dogs, their personalities and backgrounds and about the tough choices she and George had to make when it came time to pick the actual team of 12 out of their much larger group. She writes about the people they meet along the way, her Alaskan neighbors, fisherman, storekeepers and the other mushers. And she writes about Alaska itself, making me yearn to experience its beauty and majesty.There was one small line drawing of the Yukon Quest trail and I kept returning to it again and again as the book moved along and the tension mounted. There is also a photo of Ms. Cook and one of her dogs on the back cover. I wish there were more photos, but I didn't really need them because her descriptions were so clear. Recommended.

awesome

This book was one of the greatest ones I have ever read. I race sled dogs, and I found it so interesting...I could and have felt everything they go through. Also my grandmother who bought the book for me said she started reading it one night and read it the whole thing that night, and she has never raced and knows nothing about it, and she LOVED it. So it is a good book for anyone to read!!

Great Adventure

What a pleasant surprise to read a literary and exciting story of Alaska and dog-racing. Thoroughly enjoyable. I totally recommend this book to all adventure lovers.

You won't put the book down.

This is more than the story of a sled dog race. It is about the interaction of people to people and people to the environment. The author has a nice flowing writing style. One you start to read the story you will be caught up. You'll care for the people involved because the author lets you know who they are and how they think and feel. Even none dog people will enjoy this book.

I felt like I was there. The best book I've ever read.

Ann Cook's RUNNING NORTH was the most real life book i've read. The way it has been written, she made you feel like you were there with her. I was inspired by her drive, determination, love & constant support she gave her husband, dogs & child.Not to mention george's determination to succeed. I did not want the book to end.