Ada Blackjack  •  Jennifer Niven BIOGRAPHY/MEMOIR •  2004 •  PAPER  • 384 PAGES This engrossing book tells of a failed 1921 mission to colonize Wrangel Island that left four men dead and Ada Blackjack, a young Inuit seamstress, alone in the arctic wilderness for six months. Only recently has the full story come to light, and this is the definitive account, drawn from Ada's diary and testimony, along with other historical documents and interviews. A sequel of sorts to Niven's Ice Master, the tale of another ill-fated expedition lead by Vilhjalmur Steffanson. (ALA196, $14.95)
After the Ice Age: The Return of Life to Glaciated North America  •  E.C. Pielou NATURAL HISTORY •  1992 •  PAPER  • 366 PAGES An environmental history of North America over the last 20,000 years. The author describes -- in vivid detail -- the changes in the physical and biological environment. With line drawings and maps. (ALA41, $22.50)
Alaska and Canada's Inside Passage  •  Coastal Cruise Tour Guides 1995 •  MAP This six-foot-long topographic map, at a scale of 1:1,000,000, folds into a handy booklet. It's attractive, useful -- and includes descriptions of the major points of interest along the route from Seattle to Juneau. (ALA12, $15.95)
Alaska Birds  •  James Kavanaugh FIELD GUIDE •  2001 •  PLASTIC CARD  • 12 PAGES A handy, 12-panel fold-up card illustrating the most commonly encountered birds of Alaska. (ALA207, $5.95)
Alaska By Cruise Ship  •  Anne Vipond GUIDEBOOK •  2008 •  PAPER  • 368 PAGES A compact, illustrated guide to ports of call, excursions and sightseeing along the cruising route from Seattle to Anchorage. With a short overview of the culture, nature and history of Alaska, a full-color pull-out map, and excellent town maps. (ALA125, $21.95)
Alaska Light: Ideas and Images from a Northern Land  •  Kim Heacox NATURAL HISTORY •  1998 •  PAPER  • 112 PAGES Kim Heacox, one of Alaska's most renowned photographers, turns his camera to landscapes and wildlife found throughout the state in this attractive book of photographs, complemented by informative essays. (ALA122, $22.95)
Alaska Map  •  ITMB 2004 •  MAP A map of Alaska on two sides, featuring the Aleutians, the Bering Strait, and much of neighboring Siberia, at a scale of 1:2,500,000. (ALA31, $8.95)
Alaska Trees and Shrubs  •  Les Viereck  •  Elbert L. Little FIELD GUIDE •  2006 •  PAPER The classic field guide to the woody plants of the 49th state, in a revised second edition. (ALA221, $24.95)
Alaska Wilderness, Exploring the Central Brooks Range  •  Robert Marshall TRAVEL NARRATIVE •  2005 •  PAPER  • 236 PAGES A chronicle of adventures and exploration in the 1930s above the Arctic Cirle near Wiseman, Alaska by a mountaineer and pioneer conservationist who went on to found the Wilderness Society. Marshall was among the first to map and describe the headwaters of the North Fork of the Koyukuk River, now part of Gates of the Arctic National Park. (ALA193, $19.95)
Alaska's Bears  •  Alaska Geographic NATURAL HISTORY •  1993 •  PAPER  • 112 PAGES • MIDDLE READERS (Age 9-12) A magazine-style overview of Alaska's bears replete with color photographs and articles on a range of topics. Individual sections focus on bear-watching, tracking bears, and the relationship between humans and bears. You will also find detailed descriptions of the grizzly, black and polar bear. (ALA74, $14.95)
Alaska's Bears: Grizzlies, Black Bears and Polar Bears  •  Bill Sherwonit FIELD GUIDE •  1998 •  PAPER  • 96 PAGES A shirt pocket guide to Alaska's bears, this slim book geared for the curious traveler covers the ecology, natural history and conservation of all three species. With color photography by Tom Walker. (ALA63, $12.95)
Alaska's Birds, A Pocket Guide to Selected Species  •  Robert H. Armstrong FIELD GUIDE •  1994 •  PAPER  • 124 PAGES With its color photographs and profiles of 200 species of birds, this pocket guide to selected species will delight and inform the novice birder. (ALA03, $14.95)
Alaska's History, The People, Land and Events of the North Country  •  Harry Ritter HISTORY •  1993 •  PAPER  • 144 PAGES A lively, brief history with black-and-white photographs. The author, a historian, frequently lectures on cruise ships in Alaska. (ALA35, $12.95)
Alaska's Inside Passage  •  Kim Heacox NATURAL HISTORY •  1997 •  HARD COVER  • 144 PAGES A beautiful overview of the Inside Passage, lavishly produced. This oversize hardcover captures the region's natural beauty in a series of color photographs and informative essays, an excellent introduction to Southeast Alaska's wild coastline, mountains and glaciers. (ALA43, $39.95)
Alaska's Kenai Peninsula, A Traveler's Guide  •  AAA Publishing  •  Andromeda Romano-Lax  •  Bill Sherwonit GUIDEBOOK •  2001 •  PAPER  • 96 PAGES A compact, colorful guide to exploring the nature, history and wildlife of the region. Includes practical information, maps, color photos and informative sidebars. Andromeda Romano-Lax, who lives in Alaska, has written extensively on the area. (ALA167, $12.95)
Alaska's Prince William Sound, A Traveler's Guide  •  Mary Beth Holleman GUIDEBOOK •  2002 •  PAPER  • 96 PAGES An illustrated pocket guide, featuting information on attractions and background on the history, culture and nature of the region. (ALA183, $12.95)
Alaska's Seashore Creatures: A Guide to Selected Marine Invertebrates  •  Carmen Field  •  Conrad Field FIELD GUIDE •  1999 •  PAPER  • 96 PAGES This slim, illustrated guide contains information on more than 50 marine invertebrates one might encounter along the shores of Alaska. The color photographs, black-and-white illustrations, and helpful descriptions detail everything from clams and sea stars to the lion's mane jellyfish and octopuses. (ALA80, $12.95)
Alaska's Southeast, Touring the Inside Passage  •  Mike Miller GUIDEBOOK •  2008 •  PAPER  • 295 PAGES A popular, practical guide to the cruising the Inside Passage, including a wide-ranging overview of the area's natural history, culture and geography. With maps, town plans and 100 photographs. (ALA23, $17.95)
Alaska, An American Colony  •  Stephen Haycox HISTORY •  2006 •  PAPER  • 372 PAGES An engaging, scholarly history, neatly divided into Russian exploration and the American period. The author is a professor of history at the University of Alaska in Anchorage. The book takes as its theme the economic exploitation of the state and fate of the indigenous people of the region through Russian and American exploitation and colonization. (ALA160, $18.95)
Alaska, National Geographic Guide to America's Outdoors  •  Nan Elliot GUIDEBOOK •  2001 •  PAPER  • 288 PAGES A practical, illustrated guide to Alaska featuring National Geographic's usual careful attention to maps and color photography along with suggested itineraries, resources and attractions. (ALA130, $24.00)
Alaska, On-the-Road Histories  •  Ryan Madden HISTORY •  2005 •  PAPER  • 288 PAGES A compact history, covering full sweep of the history of Alaska from its original inhabitants through the Russian period, purchase by the United States, gold boom, WWII, statehood and contemporary issues. With maps and color photographs. Madden, a native-born Alaskan, teaches history in Sitka. (ALA212, $27.95)
Alaska, Spirit of the Wild  •  George Casey NATURAL HISTORY •  1997 •  DVD This gorgeous film, originally produced for IMAX, showcases the spectacular landscapes, glaciers, bears, whales and wilderness of Alaska. Narrated by Charleston Heston. 39 minutes. Directed by the award-winning George Casey, the film captures the drama, beauty and humor of Alaska and its wildlife with deft camera work, including stunning aerial shots. DVD (ALA216, $14.99)
Alaska, Tales of Adventure from the Last Frontier  •  Spike Walker ANTHOLOGY •  2002 •  PAPER  • 288 PAGES An anthology of 31 stories, classic and contemporary, organized geographically, including Jack London's famous tale of the Yukon, How To Build a Fire, and Muir's discovery of Glacier Bay. Walker has also edited high voltage collections on Alaskan fisheries and maritime disaster. (ALA188, $15.95)
Alaska, The Cruise-Lover's Guide  •  Paul Grescoe  •  Audrey Grescoe GUIDEBOOK •  2002 •  PAPER  • 272 PAGES A compact handbook to Southeast Alaska and beyond, featuring a good overview of the nature and history of the region. The heart of the book is devoted to individual ports of call each featuring a large-scale map and suggestions for sightseeing. Organized alphabetically, it includes Kotzebue and Prufhoe Bay in addition to Skagway, Ketchikan and other typical ports along the Inside Passage. (ALA71, $17.95)
Alaska: Reflections on Land and Spirit  •  Robert Hedin  •  Gary Holthaus ANTHOLOGY •  1994 •  PAPER  • 322 PAGES A wonderful collection of writing, both contemporary and historic, on the Alaskan spirit. Its companion book is The Great Land. (ALA48, $19.95)
Anchorage & Fairbanks Map  •  Rand McNally Maps MAP A street map of Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau. (ALA156, $4.95)
Arctic National Wildlife Refuge: Seasons of Life and Land  •  Subhankar Banerjee  •  Jimmy Carter NATURAL HISTORY •  2003 •  PAPER  • 176 PAGES This photographic tribute to the Alaskan Arctic is also an appeal for its preservation. Banerjee travels across the Arctic Refuge in all four seasons to document the unique and fragile ecosystem. With six original essays by the likes of David Sibley and Peter Matthiessen and a forward by Jimmy Carter. With over 200 color photographs. (ALA201, $29.95)
Attu, Birding on the Edge  •  Charles Osgood BIOGRAPHY/MEMOIR •  2003 •  PAPER A memoir of 25 years birding on the western fringes of North America, including encounters with rare Asian migrants. Attu, westernmost of the Aleutians -- and nearly 1,500 miles form the mainland, is the place to encounter never before recorded birds in North America. With an annotated checklist, color photographs and maps. Contributors include Larry Balch, Paul Baicich, John Fitchen, Paul Lehman, and Macklin Smith. (ALA169, $35.00)
Beluga Days, Tracking the Endangered White Whale  •  Nancy Lord NATURAL HISTORY •  2007 •  PAPER  • 242 PAGES A naturalist and long-time resident of Cook Inlet on Alaska's Kenai Peninsula, Lord combines her own observations of beluga whales with insightful interviews in this tale of natural history, culture and conservation. From the Publisher: Beluga Days is a wonderful evocation of the wilderness of coastal Alaska and the Native communities that still eat whale meat and depend on local foods. It is also a foray into the fascinating labyrinth of Alaskan culture, history, and politics, as the complex relationships in this unique state coalesce in a mad theater around a crisis-the decline of the beluga whales in Cook Inlet, an isolated and genetically distinct population. Beyond its compelling characters and particulars, Lord's story offers readers a deeper understanding of the often uncomfortable, often rewarding, juxtaposition of humans and the natural world. (BST90, $16.95)
The Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands, Region of Wonders  •  Terry Johnson NATURAL HISTORY •  2003 •  PAPER  • 191 PAGES An up-to-date, fact-filled illustrated primer on the region, its geography, marine and terrestrial life, mineral resources, industry and culture. With good color photographs of seabirds, marine mammals and marine life. (ALA197, $25.00)
Best Places Alaska, The Locals' Guide to the Best Lodgings, Outdoor Adventure, Sights, Shopping, and Restaurants  •  Kate Ripley GUIDEBOOK •  2003 •  PAPER  • 384 PAGES A comprehensive guide to the sights, highlights and attractions of Alaska. With chapters on Whitehorse and Dawson. (ALA226, $21.95)
The Big Year, A Tale Of Man, Nature, And Fowl Obsession  •  Mark Obmascik NATURAL HISTORY •  2005 •  PAPER  • 272 PAGES Obmascik, himself an over-the-edge birder, recounts with glee and page-turning detail the race to see the most birds in North America in a year, a quest that has his three competitors on the road at a moments notice, heading out in the middle of the night, and combing the beaches. As he so winningly demonstrates, these people are driven. (BRD29, $14.00)
The Birdwatcher's Companion to North American Birdlife  •  Christopher W. Leahy  •  Gordon Morrison NATURAL HISTORY •  2006 •  PAPER  • 1072 PAGES A handsome, fully illustrated survey of the birds of North America, organized A to Z, covering birds, bird biology, conservation and birdwatching. Published in cooperation with the American Birding Association. (NAM21, $19.95)
Blonde Indian, An Alaska Native Memoir  •  Ernestine Hayes BIOGRAPHY/MEMOIR •  2006 •  PAPER  • 200 PAGES Hayes's memoir weaves Tlingit oral history, Southeast Alaska natural history and tales of growing up native in Juneau around the time of statehood in this poignant family memoir. The native history is powerful, showing both the strengths of Tlingit culture today and its weaknesses in the face of white Alaska and alcohol. Hayes presents a complex and rich picture not just of her own life, but of the context in which her life represents a larger story. A professor of English at the University of Alaska Southeast, Hayes is a member of the Wolf House of the Kaagwaantaan clan of the Lingit. (ALA239, $16.95)
The Capture of Attu, A World War II Battle As Told by the Men Who Fought There  •  Robert J. Mitchell  •  Sewell T. Tying  •  Nelson L. Drummond HISTORY •  2000 •  PAPER  • 192 PAGES A detailed, oral history of the battle fought in the outermost Aleutians, compiled by Lieutenant Robert J. Mitchell, a witness to the events he describes. (ALA149, $18.95)
Caribou, Wanderer of the Tundra  •  Tom Walker NATURAL HISTORY •  2000 •  PAPER  • 80 PAGES An illustrated overview of the caribou by nature photographer Tom Walker. Besides beautiful, color photos, Walker includes essays on his own experiences in the field. (ALA203, $9.95)
Chilkoot Trail/Klondike Map  •  Trails Illustrated MAP An excellent, detailed hiker's map of the Chilkoot Trail at the Alaska/Canada border. (ALA237, $9.95)
The Coastal Companion, A Guide to the Inside Passage  •  Joe Upton GUIDEBOOK •  2006 •  PAPER  • 218 PAGES This popular guide by a veteran writer and Alaska enthusiast includes chapters on ports and places, local artists, wildlife and geography. (ALA45, $19.95)
Commerical Fishing in Alaska  •  Terry Johnson NATURAL HISTORY •  2003 •  PAPER  • 112 PAGES An engaging and authoritative overview of the seafood industry in Alaska, featuring color photos and drawings of fish and invertebrates and the gear used to harvest them. Ocean Treasure tells how to recognize fishing boats and gear, what the fish look like, and how good they taste. Readers are treated to an account of the fascinating history of Alaska fishing, insight into mariculture, how the fisheries are managed, and the lifestyle involved in subsistence fishing. The book also offers a bibliography, a glossary, and a full index. (ALA157, $25.00)
Compass Guide Alaska  •  John A. Murray  •  Don Pitcher  •  Nick Jans GUIDEBOOK •  2005 •  PAPER  • 376 PAGES This wonderfully written handbook features outstanding color photography, good maps and in-depth information on the culture, history and nature of Alaska. It includes archival photographs, literary excerpts and practical travel information. (ALA146, $22.95)
The Cruelest Miles, The Heroic Story of Dogs and Men in a Race Against an Epidemic  •  Gay Salisbury  •  Laney Salisbury HISTORY •  2005 •  PAPER  • 320 PAGES The gripping tale of the 1925 serum run from Seward to Nome, a tribute to the spirit and gumption of the dog drivers and sled dogs of Alaska. Drawing on archives and interviews with descendents of the drivers, the authors bring the individual men, their dog teams and the conditions of early 20th-century backcountry Alaska to life in vivid detail. The story created a public sesnsation in its day with gold medals, commendations and accolades. A statue of Balto, most famous of the sled dogs, stands in New York's Central Park. (ALA173, $14.95)
The Cruise of the Corwin  •  John Muir  •  William Frederic Bade EXPLORATION •  2000 •  PAPER  • 320 PAGES Pieced together from Muir's diaries, published accounts and letters by his literary executor, this book is an account of an 1881 voyage in search of the lost Jeanette Expedition. It's an eyewitness report of little-known lands including the Chukchi Peninsula, Diomede, Wrangel and Herald islands. (ALA76, $16.95)
Denali National Park and Preserve Map  •  Trails Illustrated 1993 •  MAP A durable, fold-up topographic map of Denali and surroundings at a scale of 1:300,000. (ALA88, $11.95)
Distant Shores, The Odyssey of Rockwell Kent  •  Constance Martin  •  Rockwell Kent ART & ARCHITECTURE •  2000 •  PAPER  • 128 PAGES Distant Shores present 80 paintings, prints and drawings by Kent (1882-1971), many in glorious color, and including an exceptional selection of work from the Hermitage in St. Petersburg. Inspired by remote and inhospitable regions, the book follows Kent's life and work at Monhegan Island, Newfoundland, Alaska, Tierra del Fuego and Greenland. Published in conjunction with an exhibition by the same name. With 68 color illustrations and 58 black-and-white photographs. (ART34, $24.95)
Drifting Home, A Family's Voyage of Discover Down the Wild Yukon River  •  Pierre Berton TRAVEL NARRATIVE •  2003 •  PAPER Berton (a marvelous storyteller and historian of Canada and the Arctic) writes of a 1972 voyage on the Yukon River in the route of the 1898 Klondike Gold Rush. (ALA213, $12.95)
Eyewitness Guide Alaska  •  Eyewitness Guides GUIDEBOOK •  2006 •  FLEXI-BOUND  • 310 PAGES A beautifully illustrated, comprehensive guide to the mountains, glaciers, and wildlife of Alaska, including excellent maps and practical information on where to go, stay and eat. (ALA238, $25.00)
Fairbanks, A Gold Rush Town That Beat the Odds  •  Dermot Cole HISTORY •  1999 •  PAPER  • 224 PAGES A fascinating history of Fairbanks -- a town born from a cargo boat accident and the Klondike gold rush -- by a local historian and newspaper columnist. In a centennial edition illustrated with archival photographs. (ALA186, $14.95)
Fairbanks, Alaska's Heart of Gold  •  Tricia Brown  •  Roy Corral GUIDEBOOK •  2000 •  PAPER  • 94 PAGES A slim, illustrated pocket guide to Fairbanks (founded during the 1902 Alaska gold rush), its geography, history, culture, wildlife and attractions. (ALA155, $12.95)
Faith, Food, and Family in a Yupik Whaling Community  •  Carol Zane Jolles CULTURAL PORTRAIT •  2002 •  PAPER  • 376 PAGES For this detailed survey of the history, society, religion and culture of the whalers of St. Lawrence Island, the author draws on interviews with villagers, archival records, and field work. Carol Zane Jolles is on the faculty at the University of Washington. (ALA182, $24.95)
Falcon Guide, Hiking Alaska: A Guide to Alaska's Greatest Hiking Adventures  •  Dean Littlepage GUIDEBOOK •  2006 •  PAPER  • 384 PAGES A practical and comprehensive guide to 100 trails and hiking locations throughout the state. Includes information on food, gear and safety tips, as well as dozens of black-and-white maps and photographs. (ALA236, $19.95)
Father of the Iditarod: The Joe Redington Story  •  Lewis Freedman BIOGRAPHY/MEMOIR •  1999 •  PAPER  • 319 PAGES Mr. Freedman holds the position of Sports editor for the Anchorage Daily News and has more than a dozen books concerning Alaska to his credit. Here, he illuminates the legend of Redington, from his impoverished childhood during the Depression to his founding of the Iditarod dog sled race in Alaska. (ALA210, $19.95)
Flyfishing Alaska  •  Anthony J. Route GUIDEBOOK •  1995 •  PAPER  • 229 PAGES A useful guide to getting more out of fly fishing in Alaska with good coverage of the variety of fishes, equipment and tactics for Salmon, trout, char and other Alaskan specialties. (ALA138, $17.95)
Fodor's Alaska  •  Fodor's Guides GUIDEBOOK •  2006 •  PAPER  • 448 PAGES A popular, practical guide to Alaska. (ALA225, $19.95)
The Forgotten War, A Pictorial History of World War II in Alaska and Northwestern Canada, Vol. 2  •  Stan B. Cohen HISTORY •  1993 •  PAPER  • 264 PAGES A concise, illustrated history of Alaska during World War II, with much of the action taking place on the Aleutian Islands. (ALA150, $14.95)
Frigid Embrace: Politics, Economics, and Environment in Alaska  •  Stephen Haycox HISTORY •  2002 •  PAPER  • 180 PAGES In this hardhitting economic history of the state, Haycox looks at how Alaska makes its money in fur, oil, timber and fish. The author is a professor of history at the University of Alaska in Anchorage. (ALA161, $21.95)
From the Land of the Totem Poles, The Northwest Coast Indian Art Collection at the American Museum of Natural History  •  Aldona Jonaitis ART & ARCHITECTURE •  1991 •  PAPER  • 272 PAGES An illustrated portrait of the people of the Northwest coast and their art, this handsome paperback features illustrations of the collection at the American Museum of Natural History as well as insightful, provocative essays by Aldona Jonaitis. (ALA14, $45.00)
Gates of the Arctic National Park  •  Trails Illustrated MAP A durable folded map of Alaska's Gates of the Arctic National Park at a scale of 1:400,000. Printed on tear and water resistant paper. (ALA202, $9.95)
Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve Map  •  Trails Illustrated MAP A folded, full-color topographic map of Alaska's Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve at a scale of 1:94,000. Printed on tear-proof, water-resistant tyvek. (ALA112, $9.95)
Glacier Bay National Park, A Backcountry Guide to the Glaciers and Beyond  •  Jim DuFresne GUIDEBOOK •  1987 •  PAPER  • 152 PAGES A slim guide to Glacier Bay for the adventurous traveler with much good general information about geology, history and wildlife. It includes descriptions of major kayaking and hiking routes. (ALA127, $10.95)
Glacier Bay, The Wild Beauty of Glacier Bay National Park  •  Peggy Bauer  •  Erwin A. Bauer NATURAL HISTORY •  2001 •  PAPER  • 80 PAGES A photographic tribute to Glacier Bay by a husband and wife team. A short essay on the region's history and nature accompanies the dazzling images of glaciers, forests and marine life. (ALA120, $14.95)
The Great Land, Reflections on Alaska  •  Robert Hedin  •  Gary Holthaus ANTHOLOGY •  1994 •  PAPER  • 317 PAGES A grand tour of the state as seen through the eyes of great writers such as John Muir, Edward Hoagland, and John Dos Passos. (ALA49, $19.95)
Green Alaska, Dreams From the Far Coast  •  Nancy Lord TRAVEL NARRATIVE •  2000 •  PAPER  • 192 PAGES In this meditative account, the author journeys from Cook Inlet along the Alaskan coast to the Aleutian Islands in the wake of the 1899 Harriman Expedition. She mixes a deep appreciation for nature and history with scholarship, some ruminations on colonialism and good old-fashioned ecological outrage at the changes wrought since 1899 in this extraordinary part of the world. (ALA77, $13.00)
Grizzlies of Mount McKinley  •  Adolphe Murie NATURAL HISTORY •  1996 •  PAPER  • 272 PAGES Murie's classic natural history of the grizzlies in Denali National Park, culled from 25 years of observation. Originally published in the 1940s, it's still an elegantly written, evocative portrait of the grizzly. (ALA194, $19.95)
A Guide to Alaska Seabirds  •  Alaska Northwest FIELD GUIDE •  1995 •  PAPER  • 46 PAGES Designed to take along on a trip to Alaska, this booklet features a handsome full-page black-and-white illustration of each bird, a range map and detailed description. (ALA69, $4.00)
A Guide to Marine Invertebrates, Alaska to Baja California  •  Daniel W. Gotshall FIELD GUIDE •  2005 •  PAPER This second, revised edition of Gotshall's invaluable field guide features full color photographs and brief descriptive information on 285 species of Pacific inshore and subtidal marine invertebrates. Species information has been updated for this new edition, which also includes 35 additional species. (BJA40, $29.95)
Guide to Sea Kayaking in Southeast Alaska, The Best Trips and Tours from Misty Fjords to Glacier Bay  •  Jim Howard GUIDEBOOK •  1999 •  PAPER  • 240 PAGES A compact, practical guide to 41 kayak trips from Ketchikan to Gustavus with detailed local maps, mile-by-mile descriptions of suggested routes, launching and landing sites and trip-planning. (ALA136, $15.95)
Guide to the Birds of Alaska  •  Robert Armstrong FIELD GUIDE •  2008 •  PAPER  • 364 PAGES A handsome photographic field guide to Alaskan birds, illustrating all 443 species. This is a very good, specialized guide. We think the National Geographic Guide to Birds of North America (FG09), featuring color paintings and excellent range maps, is just as useful. (ALA09, $26.95)
The Harriman Alaska Expedition Retraced: A Century of Change, 1899-2001  •  Thomas S. Litwin  •  David Rockefeller ANTHOLOGY •  2004 •  HARD COVER  • 304 PAGES A wide-ranging selection of articles on the history, culture, and ecology of Alaska, with contributions from William Cronon, Sheila Nickerson, Kim Heacox, and Richard Nelson and others. The companion book to a PBS series, contrasting historic findings with contemporary reality. With reproductions of many 1899 original maps, engravings and drawings. (ALA199, $29.95)
A History of Prince William Sound Alaska  •  Jim Lethcoe  •  Nancy Lethcoe HISTORY •  2000 •  PAPER  • 275 PAGES A locally published history of the region from fur trading center to tourist destination. With photographs, illustrations and maps. (ALA141, $19.95)
Honest Dogs, A Story of Triumph and Regret from the World's Greatest Sled Dog Race  •  Brian Patrick O'Donoghue EXPLORATION •  PAPER  • 335 PAGES A wry, absorbing account of Brian Patrick O'Donoghue's valiant attempt to salvage his youth and honor in the 1998 Yukon Quest Sled Dog Race. (ALA206, $19.95)
How To Be A Bad Birdwatcher  •  Simon Barnes NATURAL HISTORY •  2005 •  HARD COVER  • 240 PAGES According to Simon Barnes, the only good birdwatcher is a "bad" birdwatcher. A funny and refreshingly straight-talking guide to birdwatching from a London Times sportswriter. (BRD25, $17.95)
Ice Ages, Solving the Mystery  •  Katherine Palmer Imbrie  •  John Imbrie NATURAL HISTORY •  1986 •  PAPER  • 224 PAGES An examination of the geologic evidence explaining the Earth's ice ages, written for a general audience. (GEO17, $23.00)
Ice Window: Letters from a Bering Strait Village, 1892- 1902  •  Kathleen Lopp Smith  •  Verbeck Smith BIOGRAPHY/MEMOIR •  2002 •  PAPER  • 488 PAGES A chronicle of daily life, customs and struggles on the Bering Strait at the turn of the century. With 350 letters, more than 90 period photographs, maps, drawings from the letters, and reproductions of the five issues of "The Eskimo Bulletin, " as edited by the granddaughter of Ellen Kittredge and Thomas Lopp, two Christian teachers in a small village facing Little Diomede on the Bering Strait in Northwest Alaska. (ALA152, $45.00)
Iditarod, The Great Race to Nome  •  Bill Sherwonit HISTORY •  2002 •  PAPER A history of the Iditarod and dog races in Alaska, featuring both color and archival illustrations. (ALA185, $21.95)
In Denali: A Photographic Essay of Denali National Park and Preserve  •  Kim Heacox NATURAL HISTORY •  1993 •  PAPER  • 93 PAGES This handsome portrait of Denali, by a well known writer, photographer and naturalist, features color photographs along with an overview of the wildlife, landscapes, human history and environmental challenges of the immense park. With a bird checklist and list of 101 common flowers and plants. (ALA26, $22.95)
Inside Passage Activity Guide  •  Nancy Reynolds GUIDEBOOK •  2006 •  PAPER  • 288 PAGES A slim practical guide to exploring Ketchikan, Sitka, Juneau, Haines and Skagway, featuring suggested walks and activities, each keyed to a detailed map (ALA184, $16.95)
Insight Guide Alaska  •  Insight Guides GUIDEBOOK •  2007 •  PAPER  • 392 PAGES A profusely illustrated overview of the region, this travel guide features concise essays by well regarded authors on nature, history, peoples and culture. With hundreds of photos and maps, and some limited practical information. This award-winning series is noted for its wonderful photography, superb production and informative short essays. (ALA42, $22.95)
Into Brown Bear Country  •  Will Troyer NATURAL HISTORY •  2005 •  PAPER  • 200 PAGES Filled with up-close photographs, this is an excellent introdution to the brown bears of Kodiak and Katmai, mixing natural history with the author's own experiences studying and photographing bears for nearly fifty years. (ALA222, $24.95)
The Island Within  •  Richard Nelson EXPLORATION •  1991 •  PAPER  • 284 PAGES A beautifully written tribute to the Pacific Northwest. Drawn from the author's journals, this is an account of the natural and cultural history of an island in the waters of Haida Strait, focusing on geology, marine life, wildlife, habitats and Koyukon heritage. Much in the tradition of Barry Lopez, the author focuses on the relationship between people and the land. (ALA17, $15.00)
John Shaw's Nature Photography Field Guide  •  John Shaw REFERENCE •  2000 •  PAPER  • 160 PAGES An updated edition of Shaw's guide to taking better photographs of plants, animals and landscapes. The book offers solid advice on equipment, and basic techniques, highly recommended as the best reference for the wildlife photographer. This revised edition includes the complete range of newer films, and more attention to autofocus and autoexposure. Apart from any attention to equipment and technique, he cautions that to be a better photographer, you need to become a better naturalist. Like many nature photographers, Shaw uses a Nikon and Fujia Velvia film -- and has a Web site: johnshaw.com. (PHT01, $24.95)
Katmai National Park & Preserve Map  •  Trails Illustrated MAP A folded, full-color topographic map of Alaska's Katmai National Park & Preserve at a scale of 1:272,000. Printed on tear-proof, water-resistant tyvek. (ALA111, $9.95)
Kenai National Wildlife Refuge Map  •  Trails Illustrated MAP A durable, folded, topographic recreation map of the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge and Chugach National Forest, on a scale of 1:105,000. (ALA33, $9.95)
Kenai Peninsula Map  •  Great Pacific Map Company MAP A colorful regional map of the Kenai Peninsula, including Homer, Seward, Soldotna, Kenai Fjords, and Kenai National Park at a scale of 1:475,000. With information on sightseeing and attractions. (ALA208, $6.95)
Killer Whales of Prince William Sound  •  Craig Matkin FIELD GUIDE •  1987 •  PAPER A guide to the history and ecology of orcas Prince William Sound by Craig Matkin, a marine mammal specialist with the North Gulf Oceanic Society in Homer, Alaska. He has also published a catalog of individual whales. Since the 1970s, more than 300 different killer whales have been documented entering the waters of Prince William Sound. (ALA142, $12.95)
Kingbird Highway, The Story of a Natural Obsession That Got a Little Out of Hand  •  Kenn Kaufman BIOGRAPHY/MEMOIR •  2006 •  PAPER  • 336 PAGES Kaufman's absorbing account of coming-of-age as a Wichita teenager on the road in 1973 with a summer's pay in his pocket and the goal of seeing as many birds as he could in a year. He tallied 671, impressive by any account and extraordinary if you count birds per buck. He did it all for $1,000. This cult classic was originally published in 1973. (BRD27, $14.00)
The Klondike Fever, The Life and Death of the Last Great Gold Rush  •  Pierre Berton HISTORY •  2003 •  PAPER  • 457 PAGES The classic history of the Yukon and Alaska gold rush by the great Canadian historian Pierre Berton was first published in 1958. A master storyteller, Berton captures the spirit of the rowdy days of old in loving detail. (ALA20, $16.95)
The Last Great Race, The Iditarod  •  Tim Jones HISTORY •  1988 •  PAPER  • 288 PAGES A history of the 1,200 mile Alaskan dog race, featuring results since 1973. (ALA176, $16.95)
Lonely Planet Alaska  •  Jim DuFresne  •  Lonely Planet GUIDEBOOK •  2006 •  PAPER A comprehensive practical guide to Alaska in the hallmark Lonely Planet style. It features 79 regional maps, an illustrated overview of flora and fauna and much practical detail. It has good coverage of offroad adventure including backpacking, rafting and hiking. (ALA171, $21.99)
Lonely Planet Hiking in Alaska  •  Jim DuFresne GUIDEBOOK •  2000 •  PAPER  • 304 PAGES A practical guide in the popular series. (ALA172, $19.99)
Looking at Indian Art of the Northwest Coast  •  Hilary Stewart ART & ARCHITECTURE •  1979 •  PAPER  • 111 PAGES A concise, illustrated overview of the diverse art produced by the peoples of the Pacific Northwest. It focuses on the spiritual and cultural meaning of common motifs in the carvings, weavings, and masks that characterize the rich art of the area. (PNW06, $17.95)
Looking at Totem Poles  •  Hilary Stewart ART & ARCHITECTURE •  1993 •  PAPER  • 191 PAGES An excellent survey of 110 totem poles set along the coast of British Columbia and Southeast Alaska. Introductory chapters feature essential background information of the making, history and spiritual meaning of the carvings. Illustrated. (ALA13, $17.95)
Looking Both Ways, Heritage and Identity of the Alutiiq People  •  Aaron Cromwell  •  Amy Steffian  •  George Pullar CULTURAL PORTRAIT •  2001 •  PAPER  • 266 PAGES A marvelously illustrated, absorbing introduction to the coastal people of the Kodiak archipelago and South-central Alaska, covering history, art and contemporary culture. The book, edited by the curators, is the catalogue to an exhibit organized by the Alutiiq Museum, Alutiiq Heritage Foundation, and the Smithsonian Institution's Arctic Studies Center. (ALA180, $24.95)
Looking for Alaska  •  Peter Jenkins TRAVEL NARRATIVE •  2002 •  PAPER  • 448 PAGES An account of an Alaskan adventure complete with eccentric local characters, by the best-selling author of "Walk Across America," who spent 18 months in Seward with his family. (ALA166, $15.95)
Make Prayers to the Raven, A Koyukon View of the Northern Forest  •  Richard Nelson CULTURAL PORTRAIT •  1986 •  PAPER  • 292 PAGES A literate and meditative portrait of the Koyukon people by the author of "The Island Within." (ALA59, $19.00)
Mammals of North America  •  Roland W. Kays  •  Don E. Wilson FIELD GUIDE •  2002 •  PAPER  • 240 PAGES A comprehensive guide by two noted mammalogists and featuring 108 color plates, illustrating 442 species. Range maps and descriptive text on ecology, habitat and behavior complement the wonderful paintings. (NAM11, $19.95)
Mammals of North America, Temperate and Arctic Regions  •  Adrian Forsyth NATURAL HISTORY •  2006 •  PAPER  • 352 PAGES A handsome, illustrated reference to the mammals of North America from polar bears to bison, mountain lions and the black squirrel. Forsyth ("Tropical Nature"), includes not only up-to-date information on taxonomy and distribution but also discusses the behavior and ecology of each species. With range maps and hundreds of color photogrpahs. (NAM02, $29.95)
Marine Mammals of the Eastern North Pacific  •  Sea Grant Alaska  •  Pieter Folkens FIELD GUIDE •  2000 •  PLASTIC CARD  • 8 PAGES A convenient, 8-panel waterproof card illustrating 50 species of whales, dolphins, sea otters and pinnipeds found in the North Pacific from Alaska and the west coast of North America to Hawaii. It's handsomely illustrated, and includes full-color panels with typical behaviors, whalewatching guidelines and identification tips. Co-sponsored by the Alaska Whale Foundation and the University of Alaska Sea Grant Program, It's an excellent, weatherproof identification guide. (ALA143, $8.95)
Moose  •  Valerius Geist  •  Michael H. Francis NATURAL HISTORY •  2005 •  PAPER  • 160 PAGES A natural history of the moose, by one of the leading authorities, Valerius Geist. Their migration, social interactions and mating rituals are all covered, along with issues concerning their natural habitats and conservation. The informative text is complemented by wonderful color photographs. (BST56, $21.95)
My Lead Dog Was a Lesbian, Mushing Across Alaska in the Iditarod – the World's Most Grueling Race  •  Brian Patrick O'Donoghue TRAVEL NARRATIVE •  1996 •  PAPER  • 304 PAGES An entertaining account of an amateur musher's ill-advised attempt to compete the 1991 Iditarod, a story of hardship and will, infused throughout with the author's good humor. (ALA178, $13.95)
National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Wildflowers, Western Region  •  Richard Spellenburg  •  National Audubon Society FIELD GUIDE •  2001 •  PAPER  • 862 PAGES A photographic field guide to 654 species of wildflowers found from the Mississippi to California and Alaska. Recently revised it contains 941 color photographs, short descriptions and an identification key. (USW406, $19.95)
National Geographic Traveler Alaska  •  Robert S. Devine  •  Michael Melford GUIDEBOOK •  2006 •  PAPER  • 271 PAGES A compact guidebook by National Geographic with the publisher's usual attention to maps and color photography. With a good overview of history, nature, culture and attractions. (ALA228, $22.95)
Native Universe, Voices of Indian America  •  Clifford E. Trafzer ANTHOLOGY •  2004 •  HARD COVER  • 320 PAGES This anthology of personal and historical essays, as well as over 300 color illustrations of Native American art, is being published to accompany the opening of the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian in Washington D.C. It includes selections from several modern Native American writers, including Louise Erdrich and Sherman Alexie. (USA95, $40.00)
Natives of the Far North, Alaska's Vanishing Culture in the Eye of Edward Sheriff Curtis  •  Shannon Lowry  •  Edward S. Curtis CULTURAL PORTRAIT •  1994 •  HARD COVER  • 140 PAGES A collection of black-and-white photographs and stories collected by Curtis. A member of the 1899 Harriman Expedition, he went on to spend 30 years among the Aleut and other peoples of the Bering Strait. Shannon Lowry, who provides an introduction to modern anthropological research in the region, puts the photographs in a historical context. Chapters are devoted to the people of Nunivak Island, King Island, the Diomede Islands and Kingigan (today called Wales). (ALA145, $29.95)
A Naturalist in Alaska  •  Adolphe Murie NATURAL HISTORY •  1990 •  PAPER  • 302 PAGES First published in 1961, this old-fashioned book by the great Alaskan naturalist is a wide-eyed look at the cycle of animal life in Alaska. With pen-and-ink drawings by Adolphe's brother. (ALA44, $19.95)
The Nature of Alaska  •  James Kavanagh  •  Raymond Leung FIELD GUIDE •  2006 •  PAPER  • 176 PAGES A basic, illustrated guide to the mammals, birds, seashore life, fishes, trees, shrubs and wildflowers of Alaska, featuring 300 color illustrations. With a checklist and brief overview of natural history. (ALA137, $11.95)
The Northern Lights, The True Story of the Man Who Unlocked the Secrets of the Aurora Borealis  •  Lucy Jago SCIENCE •  2002 •  PAPER  • 320 PAGES The compelling story of long-forgotten Kristian Birkeland, the turn-of-the-century Norwegian scientist who devoted his career to the quest to understand the aurora borealis. In telling the story of the scientist, Jago also tells of the science, history, myth, and romance of the Northern Lights. (ARC104, $14.00)
Northern Lights: The Science, Myth and Wonder of Aurora Borealis  •  Calvin Hall  •  Daryl Pederson  •  George Bryson NATURAL HISTORY •  2001 •  PAPER  • 128 PAGES • COMING IN Taken mostly in Alaska, these photographs capture, in dazzling color, the majesty and mystery of the aurora borealis. Journalist George Bryson provides a short essay on the history of human interpretation of the phenomenon. (ARC126, $19.95)
Northland Stories  •  Jonathan Auerbach  •  Jack London LITERATURE •  1997 •  PAPER  • 400 PAGES London's turn-of-the-century tales of life in the remote wilderness, inspired by the Gold Rush of 1897. Originally published as three separate books. (ALA131, $13.00)
Northwest Field Guide, Inside Passage to Glacier Bay  •  Rainforest Publications FIELD GUIDE •  2005 •  PLASTIC CARD A fold-out, laminated plastic card featuring full color illustrations of the wildlife of the Pacific Northwest, including Puget Sound, the Georgia Straits, the Inside Passage, and Glacier Bay. Includes fish, marine and land mammals, and marine and shoreline birds. (PNW211, $6.95)
An Observers Guide to the Geology of Prince William Sound  •  Jim Lethcoe FIELD GUIDE •  1990 •  PAPER  • 240 PAGES A locally published overview and guide to the geology of Prince William Sound with 78 photographs, maps and descriptions of 124 sites. It includes a history of mines and mining. (ALA139, $17.95)
The Only Kayak, A Journey into the Heart of Alaska  •  Kim Heacox TRAVEL NARRATIVE •  2006 •  PAPER  • 280 PAGES (ALA230, $16.95)
Out of the Channel, The Exxon Valdez Oil Spill in Prince William Sound  •  John Keeble  •  Natalie Fobes HISTORY •  1999 •  PAPER  • 350 PAGES First published in 1990, this book has been updated to reflect the impact of the Exxon Valdez oil spill, ten years after the event. Keeble includes material on the cause of the ship's grounding on Bligh Reef, the fate of Captain Hazelwood, the effects of the spill on the region's wildlife and humans, the 1993 fisherman's tanker blockade, and Exxon's response to the spill. Considered to be one of the most devastating ecological disasters of the twentieth century, the Exxon oil spill continues to raise questions about oil shipping procedures and environmental protection. (ALA86, $14.00)
Passage to Juneau  •  Jonathan Raban TRAVEL NARRATIVE •  2000 •  PAPER  • 435 PAGES Setting out from his home in Seattle, sailing alone aboard a 35-foot ketch, Jonathan Raban made his way through Alaska's Inside Passage. This book is the story of that voyage, but it is more than just a travelogue. Raban delves into the past, trying to discover what draws men to the sea, and he ultimately learns a great deal about himself. A favorite writer, Raban (Bad Land, Coasting) is a British expatriate living in Seattle. (ALA94, $15.95)
Peoples of the Northwest Coast, Their Archaeology and Prehistory  •  Kenneth Ames  •  Herbert Maschner ARCHAEOLOGY •  2000 •  PAPER  • 288 PAGES A readable, nicely illustrated survey of the culture and history of peoples along the along the Pacific Coast of North America from California to Alaska. Written by two noted anthropologists, the book covers the ecology, cultural traditions, art, war, hunting practices, and other aspects of daily life from prehistory to the modern era. With photographs and diagrams throughout. (PNW106, $24.95)
Picture Journeys in Alaska's Wrangell-St. Elias  •  George Herben GUIDEBOOK •  1997 •  PAPER  • 128 PAGES An illustrated portrait of the national park. In words and photographs, Herben captures the spirit of Kennecott, McCarthy and the backcountry. (ALA200, $24.95)
Plants of the Pacific Northwest Coast: Washington, Oregon, British Columbia and Alaska  •  Andy MacKinnon  •  Jim Pojar FIELD GUIDE •  2004 •  PAPER  • 528 PAGES For those with wide-ranging botanical interest, we recommend this terrific handbook to nearly 800 species of trees, shrubs, wildflowers, grasses, ferns, mosses and lichens. It features over 1,100 color photographs, and 1000 line drawings, color range maps, and a keys to identifying the plants in each family. Revised edition (PNW02, $24.95)
Portrait of Alaska's Inside Passage  •  Kim Heacox NATURAL HISTORY •  1997 •  PAPER  • 80 PAGES This oversize paperback captures the region's natural beauty in a series of color photographs and informative essays, an excellent overview of Southeast Alaska's wild coastline, mountains and glaciers. (ALA36, $12.95)
The Presence of Whales, Contemporary Writers on the Whale  •  Frank Stewart NATURAL HISTORY •  1995 •  PAPER  • 319 PAGES In this well chosen series of essays, some of our best modern writers enlighten and entertain on the subject of whales. In addition to a number of reports from the Pacific Northwest, the collection includes a Roger Payne piece on the humpback, Diane Ackerman's essay on the right whales of Patagonia and Barry Lopez's extraordinary thoughts on the narwhal. (BST02, $15.95)
Prince William Sound Map, East  •  Trails Illustrated MAP A topographic map of Prince William Sound, the eastern half at a scale of 1:105,600. Features selected anchorages and kayak landings. (ALA159, $9.95)
Prince William Sound, West Map  •  Trails Illustrated MAP A topographic map of Prince William Sound (including Chugach National Park) at a scale of 1:105,600. Features selected anchorages and kayak landings. (ALA85, $9.95)
Race Across Alaska, First Woman to Win the Iditarod Tells Her Story  •  Libby Riddles  •  Tim Jones TRAVEL NARRATIVE •  1988 •  PAPER  • 240 PAGES An inside look at the Iditarod from a woman who won the race in 1985. With a selection of articles by newspaper editor Tim Jones. (ALA177, $19.95)
Raising Ourselves, A Gwich'in Coming of Age Story form the Yukon River  •  Velma Wallis BIOGRAPHY/MEMOIR •  2003 •  PAPER  • 192 PAGES (ALA192, $15.95)
Remember D-Day, Both Sides Tell Their Stories  •  Ronald J. Drez  •  David Eisenhower HISTORY •  2004 •  HARD COVER  • 64 PAGES • YOUNG ADULTS An engaging and well-constructed history of the D-Day invasion for readers in grades 5 to 8, complete with anecdotes from soldiers, black-and-white photographs, plenty of historical information, and an introduction by David Eisenhower which paints a personal portrait of his grandfather, Dwight. (USA96, $17.95)
Return to Wild America, A Yearlong Search for the Continent's Natural Soul  •  Scott Weidensaul NATURAL HISTORY •  2006 •  PAPER  • 416 PAGES Weidensaul follows in the footsteps conservation pioneers Roger Tory Peterson and James Fisher in this homage to their 1953 journey, modern travelogue and eye-opening report on wilderness in America. (USA123, $15.00)
Roadside Geology, Alaska  •  Cathy O'Connor  •  Daniel O'Haire NATURAL HISTORY •  1988 •  PAPER  • 256 PAGES Designed for the roadside traveler, this series explains in detail the geologic history of Alaska as seen through the window. Though there are few roads in Southeast Alaska, the book treats the Inside Passage as part of Alaska's "marine highway" ferry system, and is a great introduction to basic geomorphology and how the dramatic landscapes were formed. Features black-and-white photographs complementing the amazingly detailed geologic maps. (ALA46, $18.00)
Russian Refuge: Religion, Migration and Settlement on the North American Pacific Rim  •  Susan Hardwick HISTORY •  1993 •  PAPER  • 237 PAGES A comprehensive account of the Russian immigrant experience in California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, and British Columbia since the first settlements over two hundred years ago. (PNW204, $25.00)
Russians in Alaska, 1732-1867  •  Lydia Black HISTORY •  2004 •  PAPER  • 344 PAGES A masterful overview of the ordinary men and women of the first Russian colony in Alaska, drawing on newly available archives. With 16 color plates and 2 fold out color maps. (ALA241, $29.95)
The Sea Runners  •  Ivan Doig LITERATURE •  2006 •  PAPER  • 288 PAGES In this novel of high adventure and derring do, set in 1873 in Russian Alaska, four men steal a canoe and escape from a labor camp in Sitka, 1,200 miles to Astoria at the mouth of the Columbia River. Originally published in 1983, this classic American novel intertwines local history and fiction to evoke the land, people and texture of the Pacific Northwest. (PNW200, $13.00)
Seabirds of the World, A Photographic Guide  •  Peter Harrison FIELD GUIDE •  1996 •  PAPER  • 317 PAGES • COMING IN A field edition of Harrison's definitive seabird identification guide, featuring 740 color photographs. It illustrates all the world's seabirds, many in a variety of plumages. The book also contains a convenient key to identifying the confusing albatrosses, petrels and other tubenoses, as well as range maps and information about habitats and distribution. This is the book that you'd carry on any sea voyage; our ten-year-old edition has been everywhere. (FG16, $29.95)
The Settlement of the Americas, A New Prehistory  •  Thomas D. Dillehy ARCHAEOLOGY •  2001 •  PAPER  • 384 PAGES A well received, engaging survey of new theories on the peopling of the Americas, a hotly debated topic. Dillehy's controversial (but convincing) findings at Monte Verde in Chile form the backbone of his argument, which focuses on his work in South America. Dillehy places the first inhabitants in South America at 15,000 years earlier than originally argued. Other still hang on to the theory that the first inhabitants crossed the Bering Strait 12,000 years ago, making their way south to Tierra del Fuego over the ensuing millennia. Dillehy's book is nonetheless a valuable contribution to the controversy over when -- and how -- humans populated the New World. (SAM43, $22.00)
Seven Words for Wind, Essays and Field Notes from Alaska's Pribilof Islands  •  Sumner MacLeish NATURAL HISTORY •  2008 •  PAPER  • 160 PAGES With two maps and 23 black-and-white photographs, this small book is a vivid meditation on life in the remote Pribilofs by an essayist (and grandniece of the poet Archibald MacLeish). (ALA72, $16.95)
Shaman Pass  •  Stan Jones MYSTERY •  2006 •  PAPER  • 272 PAGES The second installation in Jones's Nathan Active mystery series, starring an Alaska state trooper from Anchorage living in Chukchi. Active investigates the theft of an Inupiat mummy in this mystery, noteworthy for its fully realized Arctic setting. (ALA214, $11.00)
The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Western North America  •  David Sibley FIELD GUIDE •  2003 •  PAPER  • 474 PAGES A compact, geographically-specific version of the Sibley Guide with all-new range maps, the same glorious illustrations and expanded, extremely valuable descriptions of each bird with status, habitat, range, voice and identifying marks. The book covers 703 species of birds occurring west of the Rockies, including Alaska, the western Canadian provinces, Baja California and portions of northern Mexico. Maps show the range throughout North America. For birders living east of the Rockies, you'll want to use Sibley's "Birds of Eastern North America" (USE262). (USW418, $19.95)
Sold American: The Story of Alaska Natives and Their Land, 1867-1959  •  Donald Craig Mitchell HISTORY •  2003 •  PAPER  • 492 PAGES A provocative, scholarly history of U.S. government relations with Alaska's original inhabitants -- and of the people who descended upon Alaska in search of fame and, especially, fortune. The author, Donald Craig Mitchell, former vice-president and general counsel of the Alaska Federation of Natives, fought for the historic Alaskan land claims settlement. (ALA162, $29.95)
Spirited Waters: Soloing South Through the Inside Passage  •  Jennifer Hahn EXPLORATION •  2001 •  HARD COVER  • 213 PAGES A plucky Alaskan naturalist and kayak guide, Hahn blends her own experiences with keen observations on natural history, navigation and local peoples in this captivating account of a 750-mile journey. (ALA163, $24.95)
The Stars, the Snow, the Fire  •  John Haines BIOGRAPHY/MEMOIR •  2000 •  PAPER  • 162 PAGES A beautifully crafted series of quiet essays on wilderness, wildlife and making a home in the tundra and boreal forest on the Tanana River in Alaska (where the author homesteaded for 25 years). Haines' vision as a poet shines in his sparkling images and prose. Originally published in 1989, many of the chapters were first published in magazines. (ALA154, $15.00)
Stolen Continents, 500 Years of Conquest and Resistance in the Americas  •  Ronald Wright HISTORY •  2004 •  PAPER  • 464 PAGES A powerful history of imperialism and resistance in the Americas, with a focus on the Aztec, Maya, Inca, Cherokee and Iroquois. Wright's illuminating account, told largely from the point of view of the losers, details the rapid collapse of cultures and societies in the Americas following the arrival of the Europeans in 1492. Wright draws on an impressive range of archival material in reconstructing this classic account, originally published in 1993. Wright is also the author of Time Among the Maya. (NAM20, $17.00)
This Land, A Guide to Western National Forests  •  Robert H. Mohlenbrock  •  Mike Dombeck GUIDEBOOK •  2006 •  PAPER  • 400 PAGES (USW468, $25.95)
The Thousand-Mile War, World War II in Alaska and the Aleutians  •  Brian Garfield HISTORY •  1996 •  PAPER  • 456 PAGES A gripping account of the Aleutian Island campaign (1942-43), originally published in 1969. Many of the islands, depicted in black-and-white photographs, are littered with WWII era runways, huts and other relics. (ALA114, $24.95)
To See Every Bird On Earth: A Father, A Son, And A Lifelong Obsession  •  Dan Koeppel NATURAL HISTORY •  2006 •  PAPER  • 304 PAGES Ostensibly about birds and birdwatching, this enormously appealing book is a memoir by a talented writer of his father, a father who happens to be in the elite cadre of major birders. Dan Koeppel chronicles his father's growing interest in birds in this enormously appealing memoir of a life devoted to birds. Richard is a member of an elite group who have tallied more than 7,000 species. Koeppel includes his own travels tagging along and brief profiles of other eccentric listers. (BRD28, $14.00)