The Early Years: The Journals of Richard L. Proenneke 1967-1973

by John Branson (Editor), Richard L. Proenneke

These journal entries cover the years in which Proenneke moves to Upper Twin Lake, builds his cabin, and encourages his friend Sam Keith to write One Man's Wilderness.

Visited by neighbors, both four-legged and two-legged, Dick Proenneke's life at Upper Twin Lake was a rich existence. Lucky for us he was a devoted writer, capturing in his journals life in Alaska's wilderness - the ebb and flow of nature and the daily lives of those making their home in the wilderness that would later become Lake Clark National Park and Preserve. Read along to experience Proenneke's way of life away from "the grind" and follow the seasons of Twins Lakes with an intrepid guide.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Nature

571 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2011

Reviews

[Carolyn Hoffman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read everything published so far from Dick Proenneke's journals, and this might be my favorite. Reading about his daily life in a one-room self-built cabin at the gorgeous Twin Lakes in Alaska is fascinating. He sure was a busy guy and had more visitors than you would expect given where he was. He never seemed to miss any modern convenience. He didn't even have a radio to keep him company (though he might not have been able to get reception). He spent his days hiking, filming, photographing, avoiding bears, looking for caribou and building useful things for his cabin from stuff you and I would throw away.

[Trudy Ferrer · Rating 2 out of 5]

If foreplay were a thing in literature, this lacked any. so put off by my copy — felt like it was put together by a 6-yr-old.