Back of the Pack: An Iditarod Rookie Musher's Alaska Pilgrimage to Nome
by Don Bowers
» Bert has just read this book and recommends it.
Spending years as an Iditarod pilot, Don Bowers finally decides to run the race.
He shows the true human effort behind running the race, not as a champion,
but as a man willing to give his all to prove his determination and the love for his dogs.
This book is a tribute to the man and the sport that took over his soul.
I highly recommend this book for anyone who loves mushing, the Iditarod, or for anybody with an adventurous heart.
My Lead Dog Was A Lesbian: Mushing Across Alaska in the Iditarod -- The World's Most Grueling Race
by Brian Patrick O'Donoghue
» Bert has read this book and recommends it.
I ordered this book because the cover caught my eye and reviews were ok. Initially, the shift in time from one scene to another is a bit confusing, but once used to the format, the book is engrossing. It was hard to put down. Every time I started to read, I wanted to know what happened next.
The journalist
Brian Patrick O'Donoghue entered the 'The World's Most Grueling Race' - The Iditarod Trail Sleddog race - along with 17 sled dogs with names like Rainy, Harley and Screech, he braved snowstorms, sickening wipeouts, and endured the contempt of more experienced racers. Narrated with icy elan and self deprecating wit, this is a true story of heroism, cussedness, and astonishing dumb luck.
What was great about this book is the realism of the event (the 1991 Iditarod) and especially the character sketches of some of the mushers back in the pack. The other mushers in the race are far more than just names, people, like Susan Butcher, Jeff King, Martin Buser, DeeDee Jonrowe, Rick Swenson, acting in the "sometimes great, sometimes evil, sometimes stupid, sometimes humane" way that real people do. In addition, because the book spends a lot of time "in the back" of the race, you understand that the Iditarod tests all the mushers, not just the winners.
Winterdance - The Fine Madness of Running the Iditarod.
by Gary Paulsen
» Bert has read this book and recommends it.
Personal favorite !
Gary Pauslen (master of the written word and author of more than 200 books) writes this book in two parts.
The first part of the book is about him and his dogs, some hilarious training mishaps, and how he got prepared to run the Iditarod.
In the second part he leads you along the long trail of 'The 1983 Iditarod Trail sleddog Race'.
"A breathtaking, heart stopping, roller coaster ride that depicts the brutal reality of The Iditarod, the magnificent beauty of Alaska, and the unique, if not sureal, relationship that develops between man and dog"
The book is touted as a "must read" for dog lovers, yet I believe you could claim it a must read for anyone!
I very much recommend this book.
Puppies, Dogs, and Blue Northers
by Gary Paulsen
» Bert has read this book and recommends it.
This is a must read follow-up to Gary's book "Winterdance". You'll read more about his lead dog "Cookie" as well as a variety of other sled dog related adventures and observations. If you've ever bonded with a dog (dog musher or not) you will enjoy this little gem of a read. It is a book easily read in one sitting.
Dog Driver: A Guide for the Serious Musher
by Miki Collins, Julie Collins
» Bert has read this book and recommends it.
Although the title implies that the book is for the "serious musher", it should properly read "any musher". Topics include nutrition, training, health care, distance and sprint racing, camping, breeding, buying, skijoring, etc.
Each is dealt with in a practical and understandable manner.
The bible of sled dog sports, an absolute must as a reference for mushers or simply those who want to participate in the sport.
The Speed Mushing Manual: How to Train Racing Sled Dogs
by Jim Welch
» Bert has read this book and recommends it.
Jim Welch has written an excellent guide to training racing sled dogs.
He has successfully condensed the knowledge of many of the world's top mushers into a relatively short book.
Essential reading for anyone who wants to reach the maximum potential of their dogs whether they be competitors at the national or local level.
It is more geared towards sprint mushing, but a distance racer can still get some good ideas from it too.
I still read it every off season before coming back into training and I pick up more each time. I very much recommend this book.
Yukon Alone: The World's Toughest Adventure Race
by
John Balzar
» Bert is reading this book .
Back Cover :
The Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race is one of the most challenging sporting events in the world. Every February, a handful of hardy souls spends over two weeks racing sleds pulled by fourteen dogs over 1,023 miles of frozen rivers, icy mountain passes, and spruce forests as big as entire states, facing temperatures that drop to forty degrees below zero on nights that are seventeen hours long. Why would anyone want to enter this race? John Balzar-who moved to Alaska and lived on the trail-treats us to a vivid account of the grueling race itself, offering an insightful look at the men and women who have moved to this rugged and beautiful place. Readers will also be fascinated by Balzar's account of what goes into the training and care of the majestic dogs who pull the sleds and whose courage, strength, and devotion make them the true heroes of this story.
