Recommended Reading

ALASKA, REFLECTIONS ON LAND AND SPIRIT, and THE GREAT LAND, REFLECTIONS ON ALASKA by Robert Hedin and Gary Holthause.
Both books are diverse and comprehensive collections of writers who have traveled, lived in, or are native to Alaska. The books include accounts of early explorers, natives, naturalists, and many others.
COMING INTO THE COUNTRY, by John McPhee.
An Outsider's view of Alaska that offers a superb introduction to the state. Through describing personal experiences, John McPhee blends an informative array of history, issues, and facts.
TRAVELS IN ALASKA, by John Muir.
Some remarkable descriptions of Southeast Alaska in the late 1800's, including descriptions of native life and the spectacular glacial country. This would be an enjoyable prelude to a cruise up the Inside Passage, a visit to Glacier Bay, or the Prince William Sound.
ALASKA, by James Michener.
The author has displayed a masterful placement of imagined characters among genuine participants in events of history in Alaska.
TWO IN THE FAR NORTH, by Margaret D. Murie.
A woman's version of life during the frontier days of Alaska. She recounts her childhood in Fairbanks and then her adventures as a young wife, traveling through the wilderness with her husband, famous biologist Olaus Murie.
DENALI: A LITERARY ANTHOLOGY, edited by Bill Sherwonit.
A wonderful collection of 23 stories on Denali Park area. The sections include Native Sacred Stories, Early explorations, mountaineering, natural history, and Modern Adventures.

Glaciers & Geology

BLUE ICE IN MOTION, THE STORY OF ALASKA'S GLACIERS, by Sally Wiley.
An excellent well-illustrated introduction to the glaciers of Alaska, how they form, why they move, and the landforms they create.
GUIDEBOOK TO GEOLOGY OF ANCHORAGE, ALASKA, by Lorie and Thomas Dilley.
A great resource for the novice geologist, this book gives a great geologic perspective on formation of the Chugach Mountains and the Anchorage Bowl.
ROADSIDE GEOLOGY OF ALASKA, by Cathy O'Connor.
The rocky foundations of Alaska are just as varied and vital as the people who live in the landscape. This book explains geology using language that is easy to understand.

Alaskan History & Native Peoples

WHERE THE SEA BREAKS ITS BACK, by Corey Ford.
Excellent story of Vitus Bering's second voyage to Alaska. Ten years in the making, this voyage was plagued with difficulties, including shipwreck. Naturalist Georg Steller was aboard, and made numerous discoveries about the natural history of Alaska.
GOLDRUSH WOMEN, by Jane Haigh.
Collection of essays, stories, and pictures of the women who played key roles in the Alaskan Goldrush.
MAKE PRAYERS TO THE RAVEN, by Richard Nelson.
A blending of ethnography, personal reflections, and natural history, Nelson's narrative is a moving account of the Koyukon people and their subsistence lifestyle. Offers an in-depth description of traditional hunting, fishing, and trapping in remote villages scattered across the Alaskan Boreal Forest.
SHADOWS ON THE KOYUKUK, by Sidney Huntington.
One man's story about growing up Athabascan on the Koyukuk River in Western Alaska. Encompasses Athabaskan traditional and spiritual beliefs.
ETOK: A STORY OF ESKIMO POWER, by Hugh Gregory Gallagher.
An Alaska Native's point of view of how Alaska Natives organized and fought to influence and pass the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act.

Wildlife Field Guides

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC FIELD GUIDE TO THE BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA, by Jon L. Dunn for National Geographic.
Veteran Guides' choice for field identification of North American birds. Known as the best guide for birding anywhere in the United States.
GUIDE TO THE BIRDS OF ALASKA, by Robert Armstrong.
Photos and short descriptions of over 400 species of birds found in Alaska.
MARINE MAMMALS OF ALASKA, by Kate Wynne.
A guide to all of the marine mammals foundin Alaskan waters.
ALASKA MAMMALS, Alaska Geographic Series.
A great book of pictures and natural history highlighting Alaskan mammals.
ANIMAL TRACKS OF ALASKA, by Chris Stall.
This handbook has illustrations of the hoof, paw and foot prints of Alaska's mammals.

Botanical Field Guides

PLANTS OF THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST COAST: WASHINGTON, OREGON, BRITISH COLUMBIA AND ALASKA, by Pojar and MacKinnon.
A great comprehensive field guide to plants found in Southeast and Southcentral Alaska.
FIELD GUIDE TO ALASKAN WILDFLOWERS, by Verna Pratt.
Identifies commonly found wildflowers using colorful pictures and a color-coordinated system for identification in the field.
WILDFLOWERS OF DENALI NATIONAL PARK, by Verna Pratt.
Identifies wildflowers found in various parts of Denali National Park, including the Kantishna area, where Kantishna Roadhouse is located.
DISCOVERING WILD PLANTS, by Janice Schofield.
Written by an Alaska resident, this book explores the medicinal, culinary and natural history of Alaska's wild plants.

ONLINE RESOURCE Many of the Alaska books we recommend may be found through the Alaska Natural History Association. You can order online at www.alaskanha.org or call 866.257.2757 for assistance.