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The Great Alone
A sweeping multigenerational saga of the founding of the state of Alaska by an iconic author with more than three hundred million copies of her books in print. Spanning two hundred years, this saga of romance and adventure in the untamed Alaska wilderness begins with Tasha Tarakanov, a beautiful Aleut woman, and her beloved Andrei, a noble and ambitious Cossack hunter. From their union come seven generations of proud Alaskans, including the beautiful Marisha, who finds her fortune as a legendary madam, and Wylie Cole, who bravely defends his homeland during World War II. Glorious and grand, The Great Alone is a story of brave young men and women, whose dreams, heritage, betrayals, loves, and fortitude are as vast and wild as the land from which they sprang.
736 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1986
784 people are currently reading
1168 people want to read
About the author
Janet Dailey
395 books1,851 followersJanet Anne Haradon Dailey was an American author of numerous romance novels as Janet Dailey (her married name). Her novels have been translated into nineteen languages and have sold over 300 million copies worldwide.
Born in 1944 in Storm Lake, Iowa, she attended secretarial school in Omaha, Nebraska before meeting her husband, Bill. Bill and Janet worked together in construction and land development until they "retired" to travel throughout the United States, inspiring Janet to write the Americana series of romances, where she set a novel in every state of the Union. In 1974, Janet Dailey was the first American author to write for Harlequin. Her first novel was NO QUARTER ASKED.
She had since gone on to write approximately 90 novels, 21 of which have appeared on the New York Times Bestseller List. She won many awards and accolades for her work, appearing widely on Radio and Television. Today, there are over three hundred million Janet Dailey books in print in 19 different languages, making her one of the most popular novelists in the world.
Janet Dailey passed away peacefully in her home in Branson on Saturday, December 14, 2013. She was 69.
Born in 1944 in Storm Lake, Iowa, she attended secretarial school in Omaha, Nebraska before meeting her husband, Bill. Bill and Janet worked together in construction and land development until they "retired" to travel throughout the United States, inspiring Janet to write the Americana series of romances, where she set a novel in every state of the Union. In 1974, Janet Dailey was the first American author to write for Harlequin. Her first novel was NO QUARTER ASKED.
She had since gone on to write approximately 90 novels, 21 of which have appeared on the New York Times Bestseller List. She won many awards and accolades for her work, appearing widely on Radio and Television. Today, there are over three hundred million Janet Dailey books in print in 19 different languages, making her one of the most popular novelists in the world.
Janet Dailey passed away peacefully in her home in Branson on Saturday, December 14, 2013. She was 69.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
March 15, 2015
This is good if you're looking for a long story about generations of a family in Alaska, with lots of history thrown in. It goes clear back to when the Russians first started coming to the Aleutians for otter skins and ends around 1974 in Anchorage. I knew that the Japanese had occupied one of the Aleutian Islands, but I didn't know that there was combat fighting there. This is the first story I have read about that. I need to look it up and see how much is historically correct.
February 4, 2017
I read this book almost 20 years ago and still remember it well. The book covers several generations of women and their difficult lives in Alaska. One would think that a book that long would start to feel stagnant, but that is not the case. The lives of the characters weave right into each other and their situations are anything but repetitive. A great insight on what may have been a life in the wilderness a long time ago.
April 8, 2016
The first 3/4 of this book was wonderful. I got a very clear picture of how Alaska developed and the people who lived and died there through many, many generations. The last 1/4, however, was really boring. It dealt with Alaska's part in WWII. Most of that was details about military equipment, strategies, etc.; things that I'm just not that interested in.
April 2, 2021
Too long, too weak a story, couldn't do it. Just skimmed the majority of the book. Did not hold my interest.
April 7, 2015
This book gives some good history of how Alaska was settled. I had no idea of Alaska's involvement in WWII. I read this when I was a young adult, not long after it came out. It was nice to read it again with a little more life experience under my own belt.
May 1, 2015
An excellent read
This is a story about Alaska and a family of nine generations. The author provided an accurate historical account of events leading up to Alaska's statehood. The events are captivating. The characters, interesting.
This is a story about Alaska and a family of nine generations. The author provided an accurate historical account of events leading up to Alaska's statehood. The events are captivating. The characters, interesting.
July 26, 2014
I didn't know how little I knew about Alaska until I read this book. Even though the scope is huge, I was glad to catch a glimpse of its history.
January 4, 2022
The Tarakanov family, springing from Aleut and Russian roots, is closely entwined with the land of Alaska. Throughout the generations, they witness history and play their own parts in the shaping of the territory.
This was an informative read, rather slow-paced. I learned a lot about Alaska, from the very first landings of the colonizing Russians to its statehood in the twentieth century. The characters were well-sketched and distinct from one another, an achievement considering how many of them there are. I kept wishing that things would go better for the characters though - the author certainly put them through the grinder!
This was an informative read, rather slow-paced. I learned a lot about Alaska, from the very first landings of the colonizing Russians to its statehood in the twentieth century. The characters were well-sketched and distinct from one another, an achievement considering how many of them there are. I kept wishing that things would go better for the characters though - the author certainly put them through the grinder!
May 14, 2020
This was a beautiful and fascinating read, consisting of 716 pages of fine print. Janet Dailey, one of my favorite authors spins a tale of seven generations of one family and their adventures settling Alaska over 200 years from mid 1700's to 1974. She provides a family tree chart helping to keep the characters straight. She does an amazing job of keeping each generations activities and adventures exciting. Truly a good read to occupy oneself while housebound in this virus time.
October 15, 2017
2.5 stars
January 6, 2018
3.5. There are times this very long book (741 pages) drags and is hard to keep on reading. The first half is almost a telling day by day, then you hit a spot where a child is born and on the next page is 12 yrs old...and the gaps get very frequent from then on. I felt as if the author realized her deadline was looming and it was time to wrap it up. It would have been nice to have notes indicating how much of the info and people named were historically correct.
September 2, 2019
What brilliant storytelling !!
I didn't know much of the history of Alaska but that has been remedied in the most delightful and entertaining fashion. Daily tells the story through a series of wonderful narrators, often with native American roots, but she is never condescending. Moreover she doesn't stereotype the characters, which is a trap many of the historical narratives fall prey to. Some of the native Americans are not nice people and some of the Russians and Americans are nice people. She creates wonderful likeable characters and provides a fascinating history. Not to be missed.
I didn't know much of the history of Alaska but that has been remedied in the most delightful and entertaining fashion. Daily tells the story through a series of wonderful narrators, often with native American roots, but she is never condescending. Moreover she doesn't stereotype the characters, which is a trap many of the historical narratives fall prey to. Some of the native Americans are not nice people and some of the Russians and Americans are nice people. She creates wonderful likeable characters and provides a fascinating history. Not to be missed.
May 22, 2017
Overall, an interesting book. However, it dragged in many spots - almost as if more than one writer was writing the book. There would be a concentration on relationships and personal struggles then - a left turn to history and detailed survival tactics. There were great bits and involvement in the characters lives and suddenly many years were skipped without any information regarding what happened during that time. Example, one of the main characters (mother of another main character) was followed for a long while.... disappeared abruptly. Later it was stated she died but there was no explanation.
I am glad I read it but it was overly long and somewhat uneven in its approach to the story telling.
I am glad I read it but it was overly long and somewhat uneven in its approach to the story telling.
August 29, 2017
Emotionally difficult at several points in the story. Human on human violence is inseperable from human history. I have a limit to how much I want to absorbe for entertainment. But the story was compelling enough to hold me through the tough parts.
Women are the dominant characters in this fictional history of Alaska and a family, over time made up of members from Alaskan native and foreign cultures. First, victims of human lust and callousness, the generations evolve to create women less willing to accept that lot and end with an uncompromising heroine who's *chosen* path is unconventional and leads to a wonderful end both in the context of the story and for the reader.
A challenging read but ultimately worth the time I spent with it.
Women are the dominant characters in this fictional history of Alaska and a family, over time made up of members from Alaskan native and foreign cultures. First, victims of human lust and callousness, the generations evolve to create women less willing to accept that lot and end with an uncompromising heroine who's *chosen* path is unconventional and leads to a wonderful end both in the context of the story and for the reader.
A challenging read but ultimately worth the time I spent with it.
July 13, 2017
Really enjoyed this book for the historical nature about an area (Alaska) I don't know much about.
January 19, 2018
Extremely interesting historical fiction about Alaska. I really enjoyed it. Thanks for giving it to me Ann
July 17, 2022
Gripping fiction saga that spans over 200 years of Alaska's history. I found it even more fascinating than Michener's epic, longer tale "Hawaii". They are similar but the Alaska tale initially delves into its people more than it's geology.
This is not only a long read, it is also difficult and sometimes brutal but flows with outstanding writing and creativity, exposing the prejudices the Natives endured and the failure of the US government to provide adequately for those sent to colonize the territory.
I found the early Russian involvement in that massive land mass impressive and enlightening. And the Russian focus on family inspiring.
The character of Glory St. Clair Cole carries this storyline.
I will remember this book for years to come.
This is not only a long read, it is also difficult and sometimes brutal but flows with outstanding writing and creativity, exposing the prejudices the Natives endured and the failure of the US government to provide adequately for those sent to colonize the territory.
I found the early Russian involvement in that massive land mass impressive and enlightening. And the Russian focus on family inspiring.
The character of Glory St. Clair Cole carries this storyline.
I will remember this book for years to come.
February 17, 2020
Informative and Interesting
I love reading history mixed with fictional characters who make it more interesting. The details of Alaska’s involvement in WW II were unknown to me and were impressive. Overall this book gives the reader an understanding how the original natives were treated, the resources were exploited and the land was claimed as this magnificent landscape became our 49th state. It was made realistic by characters who lived there since the Russian explorers landed in the 1700s and continued on through each generation to statehood in 1959.
I love reading history mixed with fictional characters who make it more interesting. The details of Alaska’s involvement in WW II were unknown to me and were impressive. Overall this book gives the reader an understanding how the original natives were treated, the resources were exploited and the land was claimed as this magnificent landscape became our 49th state. It was made realistic by characters who lived there since the Russian explorers landed in the 1700s and continued on through each generation to statehood in 1959.
July 31, 2025
What a journey. I’ve never read a book quite like this one. Janet’s writing is one of incredible detail. It makes it hard to believe that she didn’t experience these times and events first hand. Some points of the book are very raw and difficult to swallow, but all in the name of painting an honest portrayal of the brutality of war and colonization. I have to say I got quite attached to Glory as a character, she is someone I would like to sit down for a cup of coffee with. Bought 2 more of Janet’s novels because of this book!
September 28, 2019
This book was so sad that it is hard to call good. It is well written about a family over many years. Janet Dailey is an excellent author.
A good historical novel of Alaska and àll the tribes of Indians and it was emotional often when you realize how they were treated by Americans and Russians. Janet Dailey knows how to research for a good novel.
A good historical novel of Alaska and àll the tribes of Indians and it was emotional often when you realize how they were treated by Americans and Russians. Janet Dailey knows how to research for a good novel.
October 17, 2019
Applause for Ms. Dailey
I have read several books by this author and none of them even come close to entertaining my mind the way this story has. I honestly could not put it down. Planning on buying print copy so I can reread at a later date. Thank you Ms. Dailey for another "keeper and repeater"!
I have read several books by this author and none of them even come close to entertaining my mind the way this story has. I honestly could not put it down. Planning on buying print copy so I can reread at a later date. Thank you Ms. Dailey for another "keeper and repeater"!
January 21, 2020
I started this book almost as a joke. I accidentally checked it out from the library thinking it was Kristen Hannah's "A Great Alone". However this was not the fluffy book I thought it would be but rather an epic book that spanned 200 years and many generations. It was a great story and a great read.
March 14, 2021
The first half of the book was a bit slow for me. Actually, I was thinking about giving up on it, But the lat half was exceptional and I am glad I finished the book. Being over 800 pages, it seems like quite a commitment, but I highly recommend it. The many characters are well defined and really made me think about what it has taken to build a great State of Alaska and a great USA.
April 29, 2023
I'm not sure it lives up to the glowing back of book review "A tale of hot passion in the land of the big freeze" but it was ok. I'd like to give it 2.5 stars. A knockoff of Michener's "Alaska". Adequate pulp fiction of the 80's. The last few story lines are poorly developed, but my bar was pretty low.
November 2, 2023
A história da colonização do Alasca através da família Tarakanov, descendente de indígenas, russos e estadunidenses.
Os personagens são bem carismáticos, mas o destaque fica para o Bispo - um jogador inveterado e sócio de um bordel. A trama, por si, é bem fraca, sem grandes reviravoltas.
Interessante para quem quer passar um dia preguiçoso.
Os personagens são bem carismáticos, mas o destaque fica para o Bispo - um jogador inveterado e sócio de um bordel. A trama, por si, é bem fraca, sem grandes reviravoltas.
Interessante para quem quer passar um dia preguiçoso.
December 30, 2025
huh. Weirdly really interesting content told in a boring way. Left me with more questions than answers. Listened to this book, I think it needs to be read, there's a lot of groups of peoples that I haven't learned about yet and knowing the spelling would help sort out who is who, and let me research a bit more so I can ground myself in the story.
March 19, 2018
Review
I chose this review because of the history input the author had to review to accuracy,I skipped lots of chapters. Guess you can tell I did not like this book. Would not recommend it to anyone. But go at your own pace and choice.
I chose this review because of the history input the author had to review to accuracy,I skipped lots of chapters. Guess you can tell I did not like this book. Would not recommend it to anyone. But go at your own pace and choice.
January 6, 2020
It took me way too long to read this book. The first half I read just a few pages at a time, the second half took me about 2 weeks. Enjoyed it, but it was a bit too long. I learned a lot about the history of Alaska.
March 22, 2020
I couldn't recommend this book enough. It takes you through a truly emotional journey of over 200 years and it will stick with me for many years to come.
I couldn't possibly praise this book enough for everything that it contains - an absolute must read!!
I couldn't possibly praise this book enough for everything that it contains - an absolute must read!!
April 20, 2023
This was a very interesting history of Alaska. I am curious enough to go learn more about the indigenous people and the Russians. I realized that the audio book was abridged so I don't honk my review is quite right. It felt a bit disjointed and now I know why.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews