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Alaskan Wilderness Adventure: Book 1
At the Fairbanks International Airport's main terminal, we went to the ticket counter to pay for our plane trip. The young lady working asked us if we were going to Lake Minchumina for trophy fishing. She continued to tell us that a lot of people go there for the big fish. I made the mistake of telling her that we were going on a hike to the federal land settlement area to find land to stake a claim. Her mouth said nothing, but her eyes screamed "crazy person." I resisted the urge to try and explain further because it was obvious her mind was made up. I said no more and walked away with my dignity (somewhat) intact.
Duane Arthur Ose was born and raised in Minnesota. He enlisted in the army in 1964 at the age of twenty-one and spent one of his three years of service in Korea as a US army engineer. Duane met Rena, his second wife, through the mail-order bride system, and she moved to the Alaskan homestead to live in a hole in the ground (called a dugout) for nine years while she and Duane built their three-story log home. They live off the land for the most part, gardening, using solar power, and trapping. (Rena does the skinning.) Duane is a survival expert, skilled at living and thriving under extreme conditions. A sought-after public speaker, Duane gives presentations on rural living, homesteading, survival, Alaskan living, and the art of dowsing. He is the author of Alaskan Wilderness Adventure: Join Duane and His Son Daniel on a Journey Deep in the Alaskan Wilderness in Search of Finding a New Home.
Duane Arthur Ose was born and raised in Minnesota. He enlisted in the army in 1964 at the age of twenty-one and spent one of his three years of service in Korea as a US army engineer. Duane met Rena, his second wife, through the mail-order bride system, and she moved to the Alaskan homestead to live in a hole in the ground (called a dugout) for nine years while she and Duane built their three-story log home. They live off the land for the most part, gardening, using solar power, and trapping. (Rena does the skinning.) Duane is a survival expert, skilled at living and thriving under extreme conditions. A sought-after public speaker, Duane gives presentations on rural living, homesteading, survival, Alaskan living, and the art of dowsing. He is the author of Alaskan Wilderness Adventure: Join Duane and His Son Daniel on a Journey Deep in the Alaskan Wilderness in Search of Finding a New Home.
- GenresNonfiction
138 pages, Paperback
Published December 4, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
May 12, 2020
This book is absolutely brilliant. I came across it after watching the Netflix show "Win the Wilderness" and wanted to know more about Ose's story.
This first book is about his journey with his son to seek out what would eventually become Ose Mountain, one of three possible homesteads he researched to stake a claim on. The book is laid out into twenty chapters for the 20ish days it took them to explore the remote wilderness of Alaska. There is just so much interesting information packed in here from Ose's many decades of experience. He does a really good job of explaining the myriads of things that go into survival, homesteading, and natural history that I really felt like I could hear his voice in my head as I read.
His writing style is difficult to describe because I don't know the words for it, but it's very straightforward and paints a good picture in my head (between the great ones included in the book) and it's a casual style of writing that readers can quickly digest. There's a lot of humorous commentary, banter between father and son, and it's really a heartfelt reflection on what would become his life's work. I'm not religious and I know Ose was more than prepared for this first journey, but there are some funny occasions where I can agree that he and Dan had a guardian angel.
This journey has exciting encounters where they were minutes away from a big grizzly bear, ran into a moose, lost clothing (among other items), shot trees, met kind strangers, and a lot of life lessons were learned for both of them. I'm obviously envious of the bond that was strengthened on this trip and I think everyone can relate to wanting to live as they did.
I've read a few books on the outdoors, but this one is just steeped in honesty and truth that I don't know if many, if any, other authors can claim to have an authority like Ose does. This guy and his family actually did it. I wonder what Chris McCandless and other wandering spirits could have learned if this story had been as popular before this series was written.
I recommend this to all travelers and explorers who want to try living in the wilderness. Anyone interested in survival may enjoy this fun father-son expedition as well. And anyone interested in the history of the region may enjoy just how much research and planning Ose did before he took his son miles and miles outside of civilization to find their new home.
After watching the show, one of my biggest questions is about Ose encountering bigfoots. This book makes a quick mention of a lake inhabitant warning the boys about the Little People and it looks like Ose's third book tackles forest people, so I'm really eager the read through the next two books in hopes of my questions being answered!
This first book is about his journey with his son to seek out what would eventually become Ose Mountain, one of three possible homesteads he researched to stake a claim on. The book is laid out into twenty chapters for the 20ish days it took them to explore the remote wilderness of Alaska. There is just so much interesting information packed in here from Ose's many decades of experience. He does a really good job of explaining the myriads of things that go into survival, homesteading, and natural history that I really felt like I could hear his voice in my head as I read.
His writing style is difficult to describe because I don't know the words for it, but it's very straightforward and paints a good picture in my head (between the great ones included in the book) and it's a casual style of writing that readers can quickly digest. There's a lot of humorous commentary, banter between father and son, and it's really a heartfelt reflection on what would become his life's work. I'm not religious and I know Ose was more than prepared for this first journey, but there are some funny occasions where I can agree that he and Dan had a guardian angel.
This journey has exciting encounters where they were minutes away from a big grizzly bear, ran into a moose, lost clothing (among other items), shot trees, met kind strangers, and a lot of life lessons were learned for both of them. I'm obviously envious of the bond that was strengthened on this trip and I think everyone can relate to wanting to live as they did.
I've read a few books on the outdoors, but this one is just steeped in honesty and truth that I don't know if many, if any, other authors can claim to have an authority like Ose does. This guy and his family actually did it. I wonder what Chris McCandless and other wandering spirits could have learned if this story had been as popular before this series was written.
I recommend this to all travelers and explorers who want to try living in the wilderness. Anyone interested in survival may enjoy this fun father-son expedition as well. And anyone interested in the history of the region may enjoy just how much research and planning Ose did before he took his son miles and miles outside of civilization to find their new home.
After watching the show, one of my biggest questions is about Ose encountering bigfoots. This book makes a quick mention of a lake inhabitant warning the boys about the Little People and it looks like Ose's third book tackles forest people, so I'm really eager the read through the next two books in hopes of my questions being answered!
March 17, 2021
I decided to read this book after I binge-watched the limited series on Netflix called "Win The Wilderness." The reality show is essentially about six competing couples facing wilderness challenges in hopes of winning the author's home in rural Alaska. The show didn't really go into detail about the author's life, and the whole time while watching the show, I kept thinking, "I bet this man has one hell of a life story." Thus, prompting me to see if he has written any books.
I do like wilderness exploration books, and I will do my best not to be too critical in my review. However, there are a few things I should point out before you dive into this short novel.
I'll start with the pros of this book. You can tell the writer has a great relationship with his son; if anything, this adventure is first and foremost about a father/son bonding trip. Dan (the author's son) does have some comical moments throughout the book, which give some comedic relief. Lastly, the book is only 131 pages with pictures, so it's a very easy read.
Alright, now for the negatives. Right off the bat, the author is in the hospital. Why? He's been shot in the head and is about to lose his eye. How? I don't know. This was indeed a theme throughout the book because after the fourth or fifth time, reading the line, "but I'll save that story for another book," I was ready to put the book down. Adding those "save for later" stories throughout the monotonous hike would have made this book even better. I don't believe I will be buying the author's other two books about his Alaskan adventure just because it seems more about a money grab than telling a good story. With all of that being said, this was overall a very heartwarming story, and I wish this sweet family all the best.
I do like wilderness exploration books, and I will do my best not to be too critical in my review. However, there are a few things I should point out before you dive into this short novel.
I'll start with the pros of this book. You can tell the writer has a great relationship with his son; if anything, this adventure is first and foremost about a father/son bonding trip. Dan (the author's son) does have some comical moments throughout the book, which give some comedic relief. Lastly, the book is only 131 pages with pictures, so it's a very easy read.
Alright, now for the negatives. Right off the bat, the author is in the hospital. Why? He's been shot in the head and is about to lose his eye. How? I don't know. This was indeed a theme throughout the book because after the fourth or fifth time, reading the line, "but I'll save that story for another book," I was ready to put the book down. Adding those "save for later" stories throughout the monotonous hike would have made this book even better. I don't believe I will be buying the author's other two books about his Alaskan adventure just because it seems more about a money grab than telling a good story. With all of that being said, this was overall a very heartwarming story, and I wish this sweet family all the best.
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May 7, 2020Hiking through Alaska by reading
I don't read that much nowadays, but this book is so engaging the way the story was told. You can vividly imagine what the father and son went through their hike. Respect their perseverance and determination. I might have picked up the habit of reading again due to this book.
I don't read that much nowadays, but this book is so engaging the way the story was told. You can vividly imagine what the father and son went through their hike. Respect their perseverance and determination. I might have picked up the habit of reading again due to this book.
June 25, 2020
I learned about the Ose's from the "Win the Wilderness" tv show. I was interested in the story of how the Ose's staked their claim in Alaska, and while this book tells some of that story - the writing is of poor quality and the story is re-told in an overconfident and unconvincing tone. Not a terrible book, but akin to having your grandfather tell you a long rambling story of his glory days.
May 20, 2020
Great read!
A bit short but describes the first part of his adventure in a down to earth manner. Bought this after watching the BBC special, Win the wilderness. Looking forward to reading part two.
A bit short but describes the first part of his adventure in a down to earth manner. Bought this after watching the BBC special, Win the wilderness. Looking forward to reading part two.
May 31, 2020
Amazing adventure.
This is a well written easy to read book. I am fascinated by Duanes ability in the wilderness. He and his son will always have this memory. This journey was very interesting as Duane took us step by step through the Alaskan wilderness.
This is a well written easy to read book. I am fascinated by Duanes ability in the wilderness. He and his son will always have this memory. This journey was very interesting as Duane took us step by step through the Alaskan wilderness.
December 4, 2020
Some dream of living remote Alaska.This man does it,
Great story and well written book about a mans journey in search of a life in the Alaskan wilderness.Finding that perfect piece of land and staking claim to it.
Great story and well written book about a mans journey in search of a life in the Alaskan wilderness.Finding that perfect piece of land and staking claim to it.
January 20, 2021
Absolute great read
Thank you for sharing your start of a great adventure in finding a place to build your cabin. I can't imagine the work it took to get there thru all the big and brush. What a wonderful story.
Thank you for sharing your start of a great adventure in finding a place to build your cabin. I can't imagine the work it took to get there thru all the big and brush. What a wonderful story.
May 29, 2021
Alaskan Wilderness Adventure: Book 1
A great real life adventure in the Alaskan wilderness. Relatively speaking, this Father and Son adventure was very recently accomplished. Looking forward to the next two books in the series.
A great real life adventure in the Alaskan wilderness. Relatively speaking, this Father and Son adventure was very recently accomplished. Looking forward to the next two books in the series.
January 2, 2022
Interesting adventure!
Finish this first book of a series. Interesting a very knowledgeable individual in taking on the wilderness. Watch a couple of YouTube videos and interviews that he gave. A wealth of knowledge.
Finish this first book of a series. Interesting a very knowledgeable individual in taking on the wilderness. Watch a couple of YouTube videos and interviews that he gave. A wealth of knowledge.
June 8, 2020
Good read of how Ose mountain was found, great bonding with his son. He’s an awesome story teller. Looking forward to reading the next two in the series
October 25, 2021
A light adventure book, easy reading.
December 4, 2021
Very good read
This was a very enjoyable book to read. A hard book to put down.
Lots of interesting and adventurous things to enjoy in this book
This was a very enjoyable book to read. A hard book to put down.
Lots of interesting and adventurous things to enjoy in this book
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April 22, 2022Very good book
Well-written and very interest ing. Will definitely read the second book. Who knows maybe there will be more books in the future.
Well-written and very interest ing. Will definitely read the second book. Who knows maybe there will be more books in the future.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews