Love the beauty shots interspersed with what he built with a little of how he did it. The host is very nonchalant and unimposing, seems very humble. I would have loved to spend some time with him in the early years.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
I read this book every January during the bleakness and beauty of the winter here in Minnesota. It tells of a fantastic experience in Alaska's Twin Lakes area. Things have changed drastically since Dick built his cabin on the upper lake. No longer can you homestead in Alaska but the beauty of the wilderness and the animals living there are all part of the book. The writer also knows Alaska well, and combined with the photographs, it is truely the classic of classics. I would recommend this book to anyone who wishes to take a sabbatical without leaving home. It is a refreshing read. I traveled near the Twin Lakes area, rafting and hunting for 2 weeks and it is a spectacular place that only God could create.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
This book is hands down the best real life story I have ever read! I only wish I could have been there with Richard Proenneke when he built his cabin. He gave such a great description of how he built his cabin and the real life conditions at the time that you really get a good understanding of the environment and the challenges he dealt with. It would be great if there were about a dozen sequels to continue the story of the magnificent adventure that he lived out in the great state of Alaska. For most people, reading this book is the closest they will ever come to a TRUE, non-fictional adventure. I would highly recommend that you read this book a few times and then share it with your friends and family.
A straightforward account of the daily life of an amazingly self-sufficient man who decided to build a cabin by hand in Alaska and live off the land there. Yet he does it in such a conscientious way that he makes little to no impact on the land and wildlife there. I suppose that it depends on how accurately Sam Keith transposed Dick Proenekke's daily journals, but while Proenekke is no novelist or professional writer, he does write sometimes humorously and can come up with a nice turn of phrase now and then. What's amazing is the course of the day's events that he describes so matter-of-factly are filled with so much activity, herculean tasks performed, wild-life observed and documented, fish caught, miles hiked, meals and food prepared and cooked, you realize Dick Proenekke's incredible stamina and energy, and what probably seems to many modern folk, an inhuman work capacity. And beware---you will probably develop an intense craving for sourdough biscuits! Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
If you have had a desire to live in the middle of no where and surrounded by only nature then this book is a must read for you. It's mainly entries from his daily journal which I found very informative and enjoyable to read. When I put the book down it always left me wondering what his tomorrow had in store for him. Gave me such a yearning to do what he did. You won't go wrong buying this. There are also two DVD's which follows along closely with the book. I found it fascinating to have read the book and then watched play out what he wrote about.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
This is a great read , A fascinating man who was a true naturalist and tradesman who made almost everything he needed . I had seen the PBS documentary years ago and still watch it each time is on , This gives more of a day by day account and his thoughts on many subjects . I highly recommend .
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
I had seen the documentary about Richard Proenneke on PBS and was incredulous about what one man could do with his own hands without the help of any power tools or even a second helping pair of hands. It's a remarkable diary of his first year, slightly richer in detail than the documentary. It also gets deeper into his thoughts. I know I could never have accomplished what he did but I sure would have liked to have lived that year, seen what he saw, and learned from him being that second pair of hands. That would be an Apprentice show worth watching!
it is truly the heart of a true american who loves his country and the enviroment. he lives a life others only wish for. i could hardly put it down . the only draw back was the book too small and not enough pictures to me it was that good. i know there a lot more stories that are locked up in that cabin and the mountains will keep within themselves their secrets forever. a great diary book. the vhs was equally good . as a young man growing up there were three of us that were neighbors and we lived the lives of young frontiersman in the early days, a time of playing and dreaming. recomended to all read watch and relive in this book and vhs
There are some youtube videos about this man living in the Alaskan wilderness. This book is a collection of journal entries from his diary. The man is not a trained writer, yet he can put down the most poetic passages about nature you've ever read. Every time I began reading a paragraph, I was instantly transported to the cold freshness of Alaska.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
This is a wonderful book and is a fantastic partner to the dvd Alone In the Wilderness. The two go together. The book is great to read first and then watch the DVD to see the book come to life in motion picture.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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