What do you think?
Rate this book
The Salmon Way: An Alaska State of Mind
Alaskans have deeply personal relationships with their salmon. These remarkable fish provide a fundamental source of food, livelihood, and identity, and connect generations and communities throughout the state. Yet while salmon are integral to the lives of many Alaskans, the habitat they need to thrive is increasingly at risk as communities and decision makers evaluate large-scale development proposals.
The Salmon Way celebrates and explores the relationships between people and salmon in Alaska. Throughout this book, author Amy Gulick shows us that people from wildly different backgrounds all value a salmon way of life.
In researching her new book, Amy spent time with individuals whose lives are inextricably linked with salmon. Commercial fishermen take her on as crew; Alaska Native families teach her the art of preserving fish and culture; and sport fishing guides show her where to cast her line as well as her mind. Each experience expands our understanding of the “salmon way” in Alaska.
PLEASE When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
The Salmon Way celebrates and explores the relationships between people and salmon in Alaska. Throughout this book, author Amy Gulick shows us that people from wildly different backgrounds all value a salmon way of life.
In researching her new book, Amy spent time with individuals whose lives are inextricably linked with salmon. Commercial fishermen take her on as crew; Alaska Native families teach her the art of preserving fish and culture; and sport fishing guides show her where to cast her line as well as her mind. Each experience expands our understanding of the “salmon way” in Alaska.
PLEASE When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.
- GenresNonfiction
Audible Audio
Published September 29, 2020
3 people are currently reading
43 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
August 27, 2022
A work that transports the reader to boats in Alaska, to towers which help fend against roaming bears and gives ample voice to indigenous people who live in harmony with the wildlife
I am thankful for what I have, not what i feel i should have
Not being a nature person perse, I highly enjoyed this book and even felt an urge to go to Alaska to see some of the sights the author notes. Respect to nature is central to all of the suggestions in the book. Amy Gulick tells the story of Salmon in Alaska and all the cultural connotations coupled to the fish. From an 130 ad first Scottish decree to avoid overfishing, it is clear that a balance between successful business and sustainable fish spawning, is a key theme.
Climate change is also a definitive factor, with salmon not spawning above 25 degrees Celsius.
Over 790 million salmons were harvested in the 2015-16 season. Respect for salmon, and unspoken pact that the fish will return when it is not overfished is something fundamental to the native inhabitants of Alaska.
An interesting book on a region I knew little about, told in a compelling manner.
I am thankful for what I have, not what i feel i should have
Not being a nature person perse, I highly enjoyed this book and even felt an urge to go to Alaska to see some of the sights the author notes. Respect to nature is central to all of the suggestions in the book. Amy Gulick tells the story of Salmon in Alaska and all the cultural connotations coupled to the fish. From an 130 ad first Scottish decree to avoid overfishing, it is clear that a balance between successful business and sustainable fish spawning, is a key theme.
Climate change is also a definitive factor, with salmon not spawning above 25 degrees Celsius.
Over 790 million salmons were harvested in the 2015-16 season. Respect for salmon, and unspoken pact that the fish will return when it is not overfished is something fundamental to the native inhabitants of Alaska.
An interesting book on a region I knew little about, told in a compelling manner.
February 18, 2024
A beautiful exploration of salmon as culture in Alaska. Totally accessible to people who haven't grown up with fish as a major focal point in their lives. Balanced approach, the author speaks to a wide variety of people across the state who have strong connections to salmon. The photos are amazing.
I would only add that the author puts no real effort into interviewing scientists who are involved in understanding how climate change will affect salmon populations. Much is known about shifting water temperature regimes, for example, and how they affect salmon metabolism and food availability. Also, climate change affects freshwater availability and temperature. So, salmon are beset by both oceanic and land-based climatic disruption. Unfortunately, none of this crucial discussion is included. There is some talk about habitat destruction, which is important for sure, but this book makes it seem like it's the primary mover for salmon survival, when it is likely only partly the case. For this I removed a star.
I would only add that the author puts no real effort into interviewing scientists who are involved in understanding how climate change will affect salmon populations. Much is known about shifting water temperature regimes, for example, and how they affect salmon metabolism and food availability. Also, climate change affects freshwater availability and temperature. So, salmon are beset by both oceanic and land-based climatic disruption. Unfortunately, none of this crucial discussion is included. There is some talk about habitat destruction, which is important for sure, but this book makes it seem like it's the primary mover for salmon survival, when it is likely only partly the case. For this I removed a star.
August 11, 2021
This is pretty much the perfect book-- gorgeous photographs, a wonderful title and engaging writing, it is filled with fishing stories and the latest science on salmon.
Why is Alaska home to one of the last healthy salmon runs in the world? In times past North America, as well as a lot of Europe was home to abundant runs. What happened? How did Alaska do things right? Well a big part of the answer is that what the fish need to survive their habitat remains largely intact. This is the same for birds (see Scott Weidensaul's new book).... and probably for most creatures. It is not a one-to-one species to one habitat but rather a multitude of habitats that support the entire life cycle of the fish from marine to river to lakes... with water temperature being crucial (this is becoming the big issue).
The title of the book, the Salmon Way, hints at another crucial piece of the success of Alaskan salmon: the human element. In dozens of really engaging interviews and stories, Gulick paints a picture of a traditional native Alaskan way of respect.
She asks one native Alaskan, with such a plenitude resources in your homeland, it’s easy to see how your ancestors thrive... to which the lady responds, "Resources? "Mountain goat and trees are not resources. We have relationships with the goat and the trees."
This difference between a resource and a relationship is paramount. How can you relate to lumber of copper wires or fish sticks? Those are resources. Trees and goats--and salmon-- are beings to which we are living alongside in relationships based on respect. In Alaska, everything is hungry someone else says. Bears, fish, eagles... people share the salmon with all those creatures, as well as with each other.
And the pact is this: Because Alaskans live and depend on the land, people traditionally did not take more than they can use. And they use the entire animal. It is a system that is self-regulatory, since if the animals are over-hunted, then people will soon starve.
Quote:
For thousands of years, Alaska natives fished, hunted and gathered as a way of life. Today approximately 130,000 rural residents-- both natives and not natives-- still rely on fish and wildlife, harvesting 18,000 tons, or an average of close to 300 pounds per person a year. Fish account for 56% of this harvest. There is no other places in the United States wild and abundant enough that a significant number of people can still live this way. Most of us are thousands of years removed from the way of life are hunter gatherer ancestors so today’s concept of subsistence is often misunderstood. To those who don’t live this way of life, subsistence can imply a mirror existence living hand to mouth, data day, and whatever one can Scrounge from the land. This is the definition of poor and some societies. The most Alaska to live a subsistence way of life considers themselves the richest people in the world, and they fight hard to maintain the right to continue the customary in traditional ways."
I think this is such an important thing to consider. I also loved this quote:
In today’s world, many of us have lost our connection to the land. We forgot what it means to live among fantastic creatures, jaw-dropping beauty, and real danger. We have forgotten that a community extends beyond our relationships with other human beings. But the salmon people in Alaska have not forgotten. They know that they are part of the community of fish, rivers, oceans, forest, and tundra. They share the salmon with bears, Eagles, seals, Beluga whales and each other they show gratitude to this remarkable fish that they have seen them through times of plenty and times of scarcity.
The happiest day in recent years for me was buying a pair of xtratuf boots in Homer at the Salmon Sisters shop-- and just when I thought this book could not get any better, there is an interview with one of the sisters.... whose Salmon Sisters Cookbook and Whales and cupcakes is also highly recommended!
And speaking of jaw-dropping beauty: her photographs! I LOVED this book!
Why is Alaska home to one of the last healthy salmon runs in the world? In times past North America, as well as a lot of Europe was home to abundant runs. What happened? How did Alaska do things right? Well a big part of the answer is that what the fish need to survive their habitat remains largely intact. This is the same for birds (see Scott Weidensaul's new book).... and probably for most creatures. It is not a one-to-one species to one habitat but rather a multitude of habitats that support the entire life cycle of the fish from marine to river to lakes... with water temperature being crucial (this is becoming the big issue).
The title of the book, the Salmon Way, hints at another crucial piece of the success of Alaskan salmon: the human element. In dozens of really engaging interviews and stories, Gulick paints a picture of a traditional native Alaskan way of respect.
She asks one native Alaskan, with such a plenitude resources in your homeland, it’s easy to see how your ancestors thrive... to which the lady responds, "Resources? "Mountain goat and trees are not resources. We have relationships with the goat and the trees."
This difference between a resource and a relationship is paramount. How can you relate to lumber of copper wires or fish sticks? Those are resources. Trees and goats--and salmon-- are beings to which we are living alongside in relationships based on respect. In Alaska, everything is hungry someone else says. Bears, fish, eagles... people share the salmon with all those creatures, as well as with each other.
And the pact is this: Because Alaskans live and depend on the land, people traditionally did not take more than they can use. And they use the entire animal. It is a system that is self-regulatory, since if the animals are over-hunted, then people will soon starve.
Quote:
For thousands of years, Alaska natives fished, hunted and gathered as a way of life. Today approximately 130,000 rural residents-- both natives and not natives-- still rely on fish and wildlife, harvesting 18,000 tons, or an average of close to 300 pounds per person a year. Fish account for 56% of this harvest. There is no other places in the United States wild and abundant enough that a significant number of people can still live this way. Most of us are thousands of years removed from the way of life are hunter gatherer ancestors so today’s concept of subsistence is often misunderstood. To those who don’t live this way of life, subsistence can imply a mirror existence living hand to mouth, data day, and whatever one can Scrounge from the land. This is the definition of poor and some societies. The most Alaska to live a subsistence way of life considers themselves the richest people in the world, and they fight hard to maintain the right to continue the customary in traditional ways."
I think this is such an important thing to consider. I also loved this quote:
In today’s world, many of us have lost our connection to the land. We forgot what it means to live among fantastic creatures, jaw-dropping beauty, and real danger. We have forgotten that a community extends beyond our relationships with other human beings. But the salmon people in Alaska have not forgotten. They know that they are part of the community of fish, rivers, oceans, forest, and tundra. They share the salmon with bears, Eagles, seals, Beluga whales and each other they show gratitude to this remarkable fish that they have seen them through times of plenty and times of scarcity.
The happiest day in recent years for me was buying a pair of xtratuf boots in Homer at the Salmon Sisters shop-- and just when I thought this book could not get any better, there is an interview with one of the sisters.... whose Salmon Sisters Cookbook and Whales and cupcakes is also highly recommended!
And speaking of jaw-dropping beauty: her photographs! I LOVED this book!
January 21, 2020
I spent a snowy afternoon in my favorite chair reading this book and basking in the photography. Already a fan of Gulick’s after her first book, I was not disappointed. Salmon Way took me on a cultural trip celebrating one of the great natural resources of our continent. No one could walk away from this book without a greater respect for the mighty fish, the complex systems they support and the cultures they elevate.
September 22, 2020
Salmon: They truly are an Alaskan state of mind. Nothing binds Alaskans to this incredible corner of the world that we inhabit, like the salmon. Gulick does a great job in telling these stories, and the photography is top notch. Very timely too. #nopebblemine
July 7, 2023
I enjoyed this book to learn more about salmon in Alaska. It was fascinating to learn how salmon is a way of life in Alaska.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews