More Iditarod Classics: Tales of the Trail from the Men & Women Who Race Across Alaska

by Lew Freedman, Jon Van Zyle (Illustrator)

Picking up where the best-selling IDITAROD CLASSICS left off, MORE IDITAROD CLASSICS introduces readers to more of the men and women who brave the 1,100-mile Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race from Anchorage to Nome. And do they ever have stories to tell! In their own words, as told to award-winning reporter Lew Freedman, famed champions Doug Swingley, Martin Buser, Jeff King, and others share their very best stories--how they came to love the race, train their dogs and themselves, and battle all manner of winter hardships challenging the elements in what some have called the most extreme long-distance competition in the world. Alaskan heroes including Emmit Peters, Ramy Brooks, and DeeDee Jonrowe. explain how, for many of them, the Iditarod has become more of a way of life than an annual sporting event and how the work of training their dogs and making the run to Nome is punishing--but not punishing enough to deter them from trying again next year.

222 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2004

Reviews

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok, so I love the Alaska section of the Anchorage Public Library so I try to read as many as I can while I'm up here. Not sure I would be able to find some of these down in the lower 48!

The tales of the individuals running the Iditarod were fantastic. Short stories (which is great when I can't focus!) about mishaps and adventures on the 1100 mile course from Willow to Nome, AK.

I have met several mushers being here in Alaska and it was touching to read their stories!

I cannot imagine going out in minus 50 weather and getting lost in blizzard conditions. Opened my mind to a new world of sport. They say it's like nothing you've ever experienced! The sheer beauty all to yourself is hard to imagine.

[Claire · Rating 2 out of 5]

I couldn't get into this one. While many of the stories were interesting, they were far too brief to really get into the actual race or the racer's journey.