Alaska Women Write

by Dana Stabenow (Editor / Contributor), Betty Monthei (Contributor), Kathy Hughes (Contributor)

In ALASKA WOMEN WRITE, women dispel the myth. They learn to fly, work on the pipeline, teach in the Bush, raft wild rivers, discover a love for sport-fishing, and tangle with moose and grizzly bears. These energetic, thoughtful, and very personal stories are written from the heart with passion, humor, self-discovery, and a love of the north.

This collection was edited by award-winning crime novelist Dana Stabenow, creator of the Kate Shugak series, who contributes her own story about growing up pn a 75-foot fish tender in the Gulf of Alaska.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction

Hardcover

First published May 1, 2003

About the author

Dana Stabenow was born in Anchorage and raised on 75-foot fish tender in the Gulf of Alaska. She knew there was a warmer, drier job out there somewhere.

Reviews

[Steve Tompkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I gave it five stars because my copy came thru 49 Writers so it has autographs by almost all of the writers at the beginning of their respective chapters. This little treasure has been languishing on a shelf until this year, the year I vowed to not only read more, but to read what was already in my house (with the exception of a recent visit to a small bookstore in Ketchikan - my new favorite bookstore, sorry Fireside Books - I stopped buying books to work thru my hoard). Since this is a collection of stories by 15 different authors, the writing is as expected, varied with an occasional gem. I would say enjoy this book not for the writing, but for the concept - as an Alaskan for 31 years, I know beyond a shadow of a doubt it is not all bearded macho men that make this a special place; as somewhat of a bearded macho man myself, I concede Alaska has plenty of fantastic women who are every bit as “Alaskan” as I am, and more. As I am passing along my books as I read thru the shelves to the church or library, there are some that I am placing with individuals because the book is special, and this will be one of those.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I only read some of the stories in this collection, but found them interesting and entertaining. Some of the fears came close to home (bears, bad weather while in the alone in the Alaskan back country...). I'd like to "add" my own story someday.

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alaska still has the reputation of being a "man's place," but this collection of personal essays attempts to show how the state also shapes women. The writing is nothing great, but ithe stories are interesting.

[Tara Wowra · Rating 3 out of 5]

To be honest I figured most of the women would habe been prostitutes! I was wrong. These women were tough, more tough than I could ever hope to be. The book turned out to be a quick read and an interesting one.

[Stacy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this while in Alaska, on a touristy cruise. After reading these women's stories, I am firmly convinced the ship is where I belonged. :)