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Alaska Challenge
Having grown disillusioned with the tedious existence that is expected of young college students, the newlyweds Bill and Ruth Albee dream of heading to Alaska—on foot—by way of a vast blank space on the map that is modern day Western British Columbia.Like most dreams it dug into their body, mind and soul and nothing could satisfy it until they had given it a try. So, in 1930 they started off, ignoring all warnings and leaving from Vancouver on foot up through western B.C.—following a route very few white men and absolutely no white women had been on—into the Yukon and then on to Alaska down the mighty Yukon River. A journey of many thousands of miles.Enroute are the perils of bureaucratic red tape, starvation, wolves, the disappearing Rudy, dangerous rivers, a worthless map, crazy frontiersmen, a Russian woman and her stuffed dog, friendly and unfriendly natives, and an unplanned pregnancy.Upon reaching their goal of Alaska and wondering where to go from there Bill and Ruth accept a remote school teaching assignment in an Inuit village off of the Cape Prince of Wales on the Bering Sea. This is where they will make their home for the next year teaching and learning from the Eskimo children and parents alike. The journey to become an accepted member of the village is fraught with trying and often hilarious episodes.And the experiences worth every minute of the hardships. For Bill and Ruth discovered something far greater than the adventure. Greater than the experience of it all. Something great, wild, wonderful and truly unexpected. . . .
Hardcover
Published January 1, 1937
116 people are currently reading
90 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
September 5, 2021
What an Adventure
This is a terrific story of a husband and wife as they face the wilderness on foot for hundreds of miles, overcoming incredible obstacles to find a chance to study the lives of indigenous Eskimos and become a part of their community. Well told, and only sorry the story didn’t continue for 400 more pages. Loved it!
This is a terrific story of a husband and wife as they face the wilderness on foot for hundreds of miles, overcoming incredible obstacles to find a chance to study the lives of indigenous Eskimos and become a part of their community. Well told, and only sorry the story didn’t continue for 400 more pages. Loved it!
May 18, 2021
This was a very interesting book. Felt like I was there alongside the main characters as they traveled along the arctic.
October 9, 2022
Ruth and William Albee were my great-aunt and great-uncle. I knew them both quite well. The mystic of their amazing trip to Alaska and subsequent book are both at the core of family legends. I ponder often if I could have accomplished what they did. It was fun knowing them in their later years and observing how their broad visions panned out through the years.
Check out my profile picture for pictures of Aunt Ruth and Uncle Bill as well as pictures of articles from that period of time. Also, feel free to comment if you have any questions. I have actually found a lot online about their exploits as well as also experiencing some of the exploits with them.
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I found this review on Amazon. I wonder if I can get answers to some of these questions. The reviewer wrote, "This was a fascinating story, well written and interesting...but it cut off so abruptly! We never learn what happens to the villagers after the teachers are sent home, whether they remained in touch, whether the progress made was lost or not... so ultimately, unsatisfying and frustrating. I understand that is what happened and that the husband-wife teaching team probably felt the same way, but... I really did want to know more about what happened!"
There are no places to take notes on the Goodreads platform, so I am going to use a little of this space for some to-dos regarding my library.
1) I need to finish my review of 'Alaska Challenge.' Simmons University has an entry on 'Kanguk: A boy of Bering strait.'
2) I need to flesh out some of my favorite topics (via lists of books I haven't added yet)
Calligraphy, Illumination, Singing, Piano, Apothecary, Herbalism, Ancestral Health, Gardening, Tiny Houses, Short-term rentals, Woodworking, Primitive living skills, Bushcraft, Storytelling, Songwriting, Politics, Spirituality, Current Affairs, Travel, Architecture, Art, Esthetics, Psychology,
3) 'need to finish some of the books in process of reading
Check out my profile picture for pictures of Aunt Ruth and Uncle Bill as well as pictures of articles from that period of time. Also, feel free to comment if you have any questions. I have actually found a lot online about their exploits as well as also experiencing some of the exploits with them.
_______
I found this review on Amazon. I wonder if I can get answers to some of these questions. The reviewer wrote, "This was a fascinating story, well written and interesting...but it cut off so abruptly! We never learn what happens to the villagers after the teachers are sent home, whether they remained in touch, whether the progress made was lost or not... so ultimately, unsatisfying and frustrating. I understand that is what happened and that the husband-wife teaching team probably felt the same way, but... I really did want to know more about what happened!"
There are no places to take notes on the Goodreads platform, so I am going to use a little of this space for some to-dos regarding my library.
1) I need to finish my review of 'Alaska Challenge.' Simmons University has an entry on 'Kanguk: A boy of Bering strait.'
2) I need to flesh out some of my favorite topics (via lists of books I haven't added yet)
Calligraphy, Illumination, Singing, Piano, Apothecary, Herbalism, Ancestral Health, Gardening, Tiny Houses, Short-term rentals, Woodworking, Primitive living skills, Bushcraft, Storytelling, Songwriting, Politics, Spirituality, Current Affairs, Travel, Architecture, Art, Esthetics, Psychology,
3) 'need to finish some of the books in process of reading
October 15, 2024
I enjoyed this as an audio book while doing my daily walking. At first I found the Albees' naivety about what they were facing rather irritating. I honestly almost DNFed it. However I soon became absorbed in the story and found I couldn't wait to start walking and often walked more than my normal number of steps just to hear more. I was now irritated to be interrupted.
I have always been interested in the outdoors, the wilderness, and the North, and am probably reasonably well-informed on those topics. However, I found myself learning new things about life in the far north every listening session.
The section on Eskimo life was riveting. The Albees illustrated the Native culture so it seemed as if I was right there in the tiny house while a blizzard roared by and the neighbors stopped by to dance or argue. The walrus hunting trip had me on tenterhooks, even though I knew the crew HAD to have survived or Bill wouldn't have been able to tell the story.
I think I will have to purchase a print copy of this book so I can reread it without listening for hours.
It was sad that it ended so quickly!
One thing I found somewhat annoying was the way the reader mispronounced so many words. I found myself checking out pronunciations on the Internet because I feared I had been saying them wrong all my life, but that was not the case.
I would 10 out of 10 recommend this book as an adventure story, a historical account of the early days of the North, as well as great escape reading.
I have always been interested in the outdoors, the wilderness, and the North, and am probably reasonably well-informed on those topics. However, I found myself learning new things about life in the far north every listening session.
The section on Eskimo life was riveting. The Albees illustrated the Native culture so it seemed as if I was right there in the tiny house while a blizzard roared by and the neighbors stopped by to dance or argue. The walrus hunting trip had me on tenterhooks, even though I knew the crew HAD to have survived or Bill wouldn't have been able to tell the story.
I think I will have to purchase a print copy of this book so I can reread it without listening for hours.
It was sad that it ended so quickly!
One thing I found somewhat annoying was the way the reader mispronounced so many words. I found myself checking out pronunciations on the Internet because I feared I had been saying them wrong all my life, but that was not the case.
I would 10 out of 10 recommend this book as an adventure story, a historical account of the early days of the North, as well as great escape reading.
January 8, 2025
I found this to be a real page-turner, at least for me. In retrospect, it's interesting that the book is written by Ruth but from her husband's perspective. I felt like I was hearing the story from him. That's not a criticism--they did seem to be a close couple. There are some real cliffhangers and it was a book that falls into the category of you wish it didn't ever end. Since it was a book about about a journey, I was a bit disappointed with where it ended. That's hard to describe without creating a spoiler, but the reader is left with some unanswered questions. I wanted an epilog. The writing is engaging. Occasionally, some "how" detail is missing--it almost moves too quickly through some of the challenges and crisis. Other negatives are attributable to the Kindle Format. Photo quality is poor and the lack of a map to refer to easily would have been helpful. One other interesting aspect is that I occasionally had to remind myself that this was happening nearly 100 years ago. I felt like I was there!
April 3, 2023
Alaska Challenge
This is a must read book. Put aside the fancy covered book club books, for just a day or two and read this book. Our world is out of control at this time, with everyone out doing each other as to who is treated the worst, brown people, tan people, gay people, trans people, women, white men and whatever the group of the month people. This book is an extremely good example of how to treat all people, with respect.
This is a must read book. Put aside the fancy covered book club books, for just a day or two and read this book. Our world is out of control at this time, with everyone out doing each other as to who is treated the worst, brown people, tan people, gay people, trans people, women, white men and whatever the group of the month people. This book is an extremely good example of how to treat all people, with respect.
January 8, 2022
Best book in many years.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It’s all I have talked to my wife about in the past few days. I am attempting to buy this book in hardback. Wife loves an actual book in her had. Contact me please if you have one for sale or know where I may buy one.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It’s all I have talked to my wife about in the past few days. I am attempting to buy this book in hardback. Wife loves an actual book in her had. Contact me please if you have one for sale or know where I may buy one.
January 7, 2023
Bearing in mind some problematic terms for native folks and Inuit communities, this is a fantastic story and I really enjoyed Bills narrative. My one gripe is it cuts off so suddenly!!!
Doing a frantic google search to find out what happened to the Albees after they left Wales but I can’t find anythingggggg :(
Doing a frantic google search to find out what happened to the Albees after they left Wales but I can’t find anythingggggg :(
June 8, 2025
Alaska
This was very interesting story of a honeymoon couple exploring the wilds of Alaska. Their wanderings through out many Eskimo towns, so called towns and villages lived in by miners, crooks, prostitutes and other interesting characters, gave me many laughs, A few tears and slot of entertainment.
This was very interesting story of a honeymoon couple exploring the wilds of Alaska. Their wanderings through out many Eskimo towns, so called towns and villages lived in by miners, crooks, prostitutes and other interesting characters, gave me many laughs, A few tears and slot of entertainment.
December 2, 2023
What a wonderful book. The writing was such that I felt I was there with the characters as they went on their adventures. It was very informative and I learned so much about Eskimos of Alaska. Highly recommend
February 26, 2024
Far North as it Was
Absolutely a wonderful telling how it was in the Early years of Alaska and the Native population. How did the early teachers interact with the Eskimo culture without being able to talk with them.
Absolutely a wonderful telling how it was in the Early years of Alaska and the Native population. How did the early teachers interact with the Eskimo culture without being able to talk with them.
May 19, 2025
A great insight to Eskimo culture.
The Eskimo village has a tight family unit. The sharing of children to better serve the community was new to me. The community works as one big family. I enjoyed their travel through the Alaska backcountry.
The Eskimo village has a tight family unit. The sharing of children to better serve the community was new to me. The community works as one big family. I enjoyed their travel through the Alaska backcountry.
November 11, 2025
unbelievable champions of adversity
He can tell you that this is the most steadfast performance of champions. It breaks my heart that a piece of paper or lack
Of it can prevent the best candidates available can be so heartlessly turned down.
He can tell you that this is the most steadfast performance of champions. It breaks my heart that a piece of paper or lack
Of it can prevent the best candidates available can be so heartlessly turned down.
December 29, 2022
i was ok to read
It was a good read, I just didn’t enjoy the dictionary type words or the ending. Could have been better at the end
It was a good read, I just didn’t enjoy the dictionary type words or the ending. Could have been better at the end
April 5, 2023
A young, just married couple decide to walk across the wilderness to reach Alaska. Interesting story.
August 26, 2023
It told of a trip to the forests of Alaska in 1935, and afterward of a young family's life among the Eskimos.
March 16, 2025
One of the best books I’ve ever read.
September 11, 2025
One of the most interesting books I’ve ever read, but the abrupt ending left me hanging! I could not put this book down. It really makes you realize you are the creator of your own life.
November 23, 2025
Interesting tribe in Eskimos
Very well written and interesting. Hated the drop off of the end. Any person who enjoys Alaska books would enjoy it. Rare look inside Eskimo culture
Very well written and interesting. Hated the drop off of the end. Any person who enjoys Alaska books would enjoy it. Rare look inside Eskimo culture
December 10, 2022
Talk about getting out of your comfort zone & looking for a little adventure on your "honeymoon". This takes it to a whole new level. Thought it was a work of fiction when l first started reading this book. Unbelievable! The only thing missing is finding out what happened to this family in the later years
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews