Russian America: the Great Alaskan Venture 1741 - 1867

By Hector Chevigny

Book Overview

A compact, fast-moving social and political history that brings to vivid life the story of Alaska's early days. Its name was not Alaska until we bought it in 1867. Until then it was Russian America.... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0832303208
• ISBN13: 9780832303203
• Release Date: January 1979
• Publisher: Binford & Mort Publishing
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 0.72 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.5" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Alaska as a colony of the Russian American Company

A good overall read of the early colonization of Alaska and thethe reasons for it. Chevigny does a good job describing thecharacters in the Russian American company and the difficultiesis settling Russian Alaska. Less of value is the reason why theysold the colony to the United States, since the author is judging from a latter time. Since this book was written in themid Sixties, some of the language may be stilted and the text iscertainly dry at time.

A must read

Russian America is a truly enjoyable read -- both illustrative and exciting. Chevigny's grasp of the personalities is uncanny, presented with a history writer's eye for detail but without sacrificing the 'human' element. At once, I felt drawn into this story of fitfull struggles and triumphs - a witness to unfolding events - with wide-eyed enthusiam. It kept me wanting more.