In this sweeping epic of the northernmost American frontier, James A. Michener guides us through Alaska’s fierce terrain and history, from the long-forgotten past to the bustling present. As his characters struggle for survival, Michener weaves together the exciting high points of Alaska’s story: its brutal origins; the American acquisition; the gold rush; the tremendous growth and exploitation … exploitation of the salmon industry; the arduous construction of the Alcan Highway, undertaken to defend the territory during World War II. A spellbinding portrait of a human community fighting to establish its place in the world, Alaska traces a bold and majestic saga of the enduring spirit of a land and its people.
BONUS: This edition includes an excerpt from James A. Michener’s Hawaii.
Praise for Alaska
“Few will escape the allure of the land and people [Michener] describes. . . . Alaska takes the reader on a journey through one of the bleakest, richest, most foreboding, and highly inviting territories in our Republic, if not the world. . . . The characters that Michener creates are bigger than life.”—Los Angeles Times Book Review
“Always the master of exhaustive historical research, Michener tracks the settling of Alaska [in] vividly detailed scenes and well-developed characters.”—Boston Herald
“Michener is still, sentence for sentence, writing’s fastest attention grabber.”—The New York Times
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Historically very good, but too much story line
repetition .
Michener is such a great writer. I enjoyed learning more about our 49 th state especially about the gold rush and salmon industry. I recently moved to Seattle and have a greater appreciation for Seattle’s role in settling Alaska.
Terrible. Painfully boring. Skipped forward three times to try to get to anything interesting and finally have up
Drags at times, takes patience.
I love James Michner. He is thorough and well researched. This book seemed slow and too long for me.
Have read each book he has written …and re-read many. Love his story telling, a tad verbose at times, but well worth the read!
This book is epic Michener.
Who else can write the history of a region from the beginning of time to the present day in a way that not only does NOT put you to sleep, but also informs and entertains you?
History comes alive as you see it happen through the eyes of credible, well-developed characters. The level of detail in a few parts of the book …
i had heard a lot about this book, but it didn’t live up to my expectations
I have lived in Alaska and felt so blessed to read this!
Great way to learn the history of Alaska in form of a novel. If you plan to travel there it will enhance your trip!
Who would have ever thought that learning history could be so entertaining and interesting. Michener has a way of weaving history and facts together with lore and a story to produce a wonderful book that is a work of art.
Historical fiction written to appear real and I enjoyed the book. However, at times it was hard to follow, because it progressed very slowly.
Typically Michener, great geologic history combined with a great story.
One of my top ten books I’ve ever read. Should be required reading in school.
Who knew that the central government in DC failed to invest the American system of oversight for so many years at a terrible cost of native lives?
I read “Alaska” prior to a visit to Alaska with two friends. Having his historical view with so many smaller, focussing on stories of people confronting the land and natural life. I gained more feeling for the places we would be visiting from his long book than guides and internet reading. Michener has also provided a basis for my visits to …
Loved this novel. Very interesting and fully developed characters with vivid descriptions of the land. I will re-read prior to our next trip to Alaska and will be certain that our next itenerary includes Sitka and Kodiak as well as the better known ports of Hoonah, Seward, etc.
Absolutely one of the best books Michener has ever written. Anyone who likes historical fiction will love this book. I disregard his long discourses on the evolutionary processes because I don’t believe in evolution but the story line is captivating. Character development, descriptions of local areas and customs – all are incredibly interesting …
Very well researched and informative. I enjoyed this book very much.
I truly enjoyed this book.