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My Lead Dog Was a Lesbian: Mushing Across Alaska in the Iditarod--the World's Most Grueling Race
The Iditarod may be the only race that awards a prize for last place. But then how many people can even complete a course that ranges across 1,000 miles of Alaska's ice fields, mountains, and canyons at temperatures that sometimes plunges to 100 degrees below zero? In conditions like these, anything can go wrong. For Brian Patrick O'Donoghue, nearly everything did.
In My Lead Dog Was a Lesbian, his reporter and intrepid novice musher tells what happened when he entered the 1991 Iditarod, along with seventeen sled dogs with names like Harley, Screech, and Rainy, his sexually confused lead dog. O'Donoghue braved snowstorms and sickening wipeouts, endured the contempt of more experienced racers (one of whom was daft enough to use poodles), and rode herd of four-legged companions who would rather be fighting or having sex. It's all here, narrated with self-deprecating wit, in a true story of heroism, cussedness and astonishing dumb luck.
In My Lead Dog Was a Lesbian, his reporter and intrepid novice musher tells what happened when he entered the 1991 Iditarod, along with seventeen sled dogs with names like Harley, Screech, and Rainy, his sexually confused lead dog. O'Donoghue braved snowstorms and sickening wipeouts, endured the contempt of more experienced racers (one of whom was daft enough to use poodles), and rode herd of four-legged companions who would rather be fighting or having sex. It's all here, narrated with self-deprecating wit, in a true story of heroism, cussedness and astonishing dumb luck.
304 pages, Paperback
First published March 19, 1996
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
March 29, 2018
i finished reading this book because my thirst for knowledge about the iditarod is unquenchable, but not because i particularly liked the book. o'donoghue's attitude is really negative and i wasn't digging it. maybe it really does suck that much at the back of the pack, and maybe some of those other mushers really are that unpleasant, but it just doesn't jibe with the other stuff i've read.
also, the "lesbian" bit is stupid and borderline offensive. basically, early in the book he notes that his lead dog likes to hump other dogs regardless of their sex. he thus deems her to be a lesbian and refers to her as "the lesbian" throughout the rest of the book. also maybe i'm being oversensitive here, but it's also annoying/troubling that the dog is described as "sexually confused" on the back of the book.
all in all, interesting stuff, but not the best book about the iditarod.
also, the "lesbian" bit is stupid and borderline offensive. basically, early in the book he notes that his lead dog likes to hump other dogs regardless of their sex. he thus deems her to be a lesbian and refers to her as "the lesbian" throughout the rest of the book. also maybe i'm being oversensitive here, but it's also annoying/troubling that the dog is described as "sexually confused" on the back of the book.
all in all, interesting stuff, but not the best book about the iditarod.
February 7, 2018
Interesting story about the 1991 Iditarod, as told by the man who finished last - many days behind the first place finishers. There were too many names - sometimes first names, sometimes last names - and it was tough to keep them straight, but the stories are compelling.
January 31, 2022
Good book, only giving it one less star because there have been other books on the dogsledding races that I enjoyed more. Interesting how a rookie can be lucky enough to draw the starting position in the Iditarod and not somehow have done a little better. Interesting to hear about all the things that can go wrong. There is so much going on with a book on one of the great dog sledding races that makes them hard to compare to any other type of book on dogs. Fighting blizzards, getting lost, frostbite, dogs that quit, or lead you to a garbage dump, sleds that break, dogs chewing through harnesses, just so much there. This book shows you a lot that can go wrong, and that the most important thing is the quality of your lead dogs. Speaking of the lead dog, I didn't really fully pick up on the reason for the title.
Mr. O'Donoghue also gets even better when he writes his second book, Honest Dogs: A Story of Triumph and Regret from the World's Toughest Sled Dog Race, after doing the other great dog sledding race, the Yukon Quest. I would recommend you read that book after reading this one.
Mr. O'Donoghue also gets even better when he writes his second book, Honest Dogs: A Story of Triumph and Regret from the World's Toughest Sled Dog Race, after doing the other great dog sledding race, the Yukon Quest. I would recommend you read that book after reading this one.
September 14, 2021
What a delightful read. I laughed at all the experiences the writer had during the Iditarod. And, I sympathized with him during the hard times. He's a reporter who writes so well I often felt that I was riding with him. The read might be appreciated greatly by those that follow the race regularly but I loved the writing and the story.
The Iditarod awards a prize for last place Which the author won but he felt fulfilled for even completing the race. How many competitors can complete a sled dog race that covers 1,000 miles of Alaska’s ice fields, mountains and canyons? Temperatures can abd do drop to 100 degrees below zero, so cold that bare skin freezes in a heartbeat. Immersed in such conditions, the impossible can go wrong and for Brian Patrick O’Donaghue, it almost always did.
Having covered the Iditarod a number of times as a reporter, the author had become obsessed with entering the race himself. With little mushing experience, no dogs, sled, or frigid weather gear, he marshals friends and acquaintances to help him. Training for a full year prior to competition, the inexperienced musher tells his story of the 1991 race. Not the least of the tale are the dogs who became friends. Accompanied by seventeen of them with diverse personalities including a female who goes into heat, the author learns to cope with dogs like Harley, Screech and Rainy, his sexually confused but always competent lead dog.
O’Donoghue found snowstorms and whiteouts when he could see nothing let alone the flags marking the trail, sometimes leading to confused backtracking. Experienced racers exhibited contempt, assistance, and encouragement. Yet the real heroes of the story are the four-legged companions who brought comfort to ease the loneliness along the trail. Sometimes, however, they would rather fight or have sex than pull the sled. The tale combines humor, wit, frustration and luck that enabled help him get through this grueling race. This is a most entertaining read. In short, very good.
The Iditarod awards a prize for last place Which the author won but he felt fulfilled for even completing the race. How many competitors can complete a sled dog race that covers 1,000 miles of Alaska’s ice fields, mountains and canyons? Temperatures can abd do drop to 100 degrees below zero, so cold that bare skin freezes in a heartbeat. Immersed in such conditions, the impossible can go wrong and for Brian Patrick O’Donaghue, it almost always did.
Having covered the Iditarod a number of times as a reporter, the author had become obsessed with entering the race himself. With little mushing experience, no dogs, sled, or frigid weather gear, he marshals friends and acquaintances to help him. Training for a full year prior to competition, the inexperienced musher tells his story of the 1991 race. Not the least of the tale are the dogs who became friends. Accompanied by seventeen of them with diverse personalities including a female who goes into heat, the author learns to cope with dogs like Harley, Screech and Rainy, his sexually confused but always competent lead dog.
O’Donoghue found snowstorms and whiteouts when he could see nothing let alone the flags marking the trail, sometimes leading to confused backtracking. Experienced racers exhibited contempt, assistance, and encouragement. Yet the real heroes of the story are the four-legged companions who brought comfort to ease the loneliness along the trail. Sometimes, however, they would rather fight or have sex than pull the sled. The tale combines humor, wit, frustration and luck that enabled help him get through this grueling race. This is a most entertaining read. In short, very good.
March 4, 2016
The book was ok. The story was cool, I like the sport, and it had all the ingredients to be a very interesting book. A journey accross Alaska, racing a sled pulled by dogs. However the author was very confusing at times, and kept leaping from person to person, some of them not quite relevant to the story, until the point that I lost track of who was who. Some of the racers I could never distinguishe till the end of the book.
Also, the way he kept referring to his lead dog as "the lesbian", was completely unnecessary and had no purpose at all. It became quite annoying at some point, as it had no real relation with the race he was describing.
Would I recommend it? Only to book addicts that once they start one, they cannot set it aside.
Also, the way he kept referring to his lead dog as "the lesbian", was completely unnecessary and had no purpose at all. It became quite annoying at some point, as it had no real relation with the race he was describing.
Would I recommend it? Only to book addicts that once they start one, they cannot set it aside.
March 27, 2023
I love reading any first hand account of the Iditarod which is why I stayed with it. His story is truly incredible.
However, I wasn’t a fan of his voice or writing style. He threw around so many names (sometimes referring to that person with their first name, other times referring to the same person by their last name as another reviewer noted). I almost wish he would have made two separate books, one about his experience and the other about the first wave of finishers. Also, didn’t love the whole “lesbian” gimmick.
However, I wasn’t a fan of his voice or writing style. He threw around so many names (sometimes referring to that person with their first name, other times referring to the same person by their last name as another reviewer noted). I almost wish he would have made two separate books, one about his experience and the other about the first wave of finishers. Also, didn’t love the whole “lesbian” gimmick.
May 4, 2011
All I have to say is, I do not want to run the Iditarod. But I do want to hang out with a bunch of huskies--that part would be awesome.
June 29, 2023
I have mixed feelings about about this book.
On one hand the story is well written and the author tells a great story. In fact, O'Donoghue tells a lot of great little stories while telling their own. I really enjoyed being able to get a description of what the trail was like. Anyone who follows mushing knows the Iditarod can be a grueling race and this book demonstrates why.
This is a snapshot in time experience as well. There are minor changes in the race since O'Donoghue competed, poodles are no longer allowed to race, teams are restricted to 14 dogs, etc. But the biggest change is mushers are no longer allowed to get outside help on the trail or in villages. I believe there are also stronger requirements about cleaning up along the trail.
What I found frustrating about this book was the author as a person. O'Donoghue seems like a nice enough person, but they just don't seem to have a strong enough grasp on sled dogs to have completed in such a challenging race. This can be summed up by looking at the lead dog in the book title. Rainy does not get nicknamed "The Lesbian" for preferring the company of other female dogs, or even an ill-temper with boys. She gains this monicker for *mounting* female dogs. If you have spent time around dogs you know this is normal and fairy common. It just means your girl has a lot of attitude.
All in all I recommend the book for a good story, but realize it falls a little short on understanding dogs.
On one hand the story is well written and the author tells a great story. In fact, O'Donoghue tells a lot of great little stories while telling their own. I really enjoyed being able to get a description of what the trail was like. Anyone who follows mushing knows the Iditarod can be a grueling race and this book demonstrates why.
This is a snapshot in time experience as well. There are minor changes in the race since O'Donoghue competed, poodles are no longer allowed to race, teams are restricted to 14 dogs, etc. But the biggest change is mushers are no longer allowed to get outside help on the trail or in villages. I believe there are also stronger requirements about cleaning up along the trail.
What I found frustrating about this book was the author as a person. O'Donoghue seems like a nice enough person, but they just don't seem to have a strong enough grasp on sled dogs to have completed in such a challenging race. This can be summed up by looking at the lead dog in the book title. Rainy does not get nicknamed "The Lesbian" for preferring the company of other female dogs, or even an ill-temper with boys. She gains this monicker for *mounting* female dogs. If you have spent time around dogs you know this is normal and fairy common. It just means your girl has a lot of attitude.
All in all I recommend the book for a good story, but realize it falls a little short on understanding dogs.
January 28, 2020
Brian Patrick O'Donoghue is a journalist having reported on the Iditarod for years, He runs the race in 1991 leading the race out of Anchorage and coming in dead last into Nome 22 days later. A unique story that tells the race from the Back of the pack perspective.
November 5, 2017
Shaped my imagination. Great adventure story. Too cold for my liking.
February 21, 2017
If you are one who gets yourself, and perhaps others, into trouble by taking on monumental tasks, you will enjoy this book. I laughed so hard at times that I was in pain. Most of us who live in the lower 48 might have heard of the Iditarod but have little idea of what sledding it entails. This book, which tells the story of the 1991 race, gives readers a greater understanding.
The rhythm of the mood in the book in many ways mirrors the mood of the mushers. As the race begins, there are mistakes and miscues that are humbling and oh, so humorous. The humans are funny enough, but the dogs add to the complexity and unpredictability of the situation.
As the race progresses, things settle down a bit for mushers, dogs and reader. Personalities, both human and canine, begin to show. As with any group activity, especially a competitive one, there's always that ONE who just has to make things difficult.
As the miles blow by (almost literally), one gets the sense of the enormity of the task at hand, and the fortitude it takes to continue on toward a goal that serves no other purpose than getting a belt buckle and $1,000 (and writing a book.) Yet, that is exactly how life is at times. One gets a crazy thought in ones head about something that keeps calling from the good old bucket list. One commits and leaps right in to it. Then the panic sets in and one questions ones sanity. Quitting seems like a viable option. Then comes the realization that it's closer to the finish that it is back to the start. So, one completes the race, vowing never to do that again...
Very enjoyable to book, great for a day by the pool or the fire place.
The rhythm of the mood in the book in many ways mirrors the mood of the mushers. As the race begins, there are mistakes and miscues that are humbling and oh, so humorous. The humans are funny enough, but the dogs add to the complexity and unpredictability of the situation.
As the race progresses, things settle down a bit for mushers, dogs and reader. Personalities, both human and canine, begin to show. As with any group activity, especially a competitive one, there's always that ONE who just has to make things difficult.
As the miles blow by (almost literally), one gets the sense of the enormity of the task at hand, and the fortitude it takes to continue on toward a goal that serves no other purpose than getting a belt buckle and $1,000 (and writing a book.) Yet, that is exactly how life is at times. One gets a crazy thought in ones head about something that keeps calling from the good old bucket list. One commits and leaps right in to it. Then the panic sets in and one questions ones sanity. Quitting seems like a viable option. Then comes the realization that it's closer to the finish that it is back to the start. So, one completes the race, vowing never to do that again...
Very enjoyable to book, great for a day by the pool or the fire place.
February 17, 2008
One of the great titles ever. The author was the son of Patrick O'Donoghue of my law firm: O'Donoghue and O'Donoghue. Brian left Bethesda, relocated in Alaska. This is the story of his entry into the Iditarod and while he did finish last, he still finished. In fact last place in the Idiorod always gets special recognition, the green lantern, I think. Lots of fun. Brian's mother Fanshen, always told me that it was good to have a Brian in the firm even though it was not quite the Brian they expected.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 12, 2007
I read this shortly before my trip to Alaska. I thought the title was outrageous and I'm a dog lover. I wanted it to get me into the Alaskan mindset. Sadly the book did not live up to expectations. I was ok but I wouldn't recommend it. Surely there must be a better book out there about the Iditarod.
August 4, 2013
I didn't have very high expectations when I started reading this book, but to my surprise it turned out to be an entertaining read. Written from the perspective of a journalist cum rookie Iditarod racer that barely even finished the race, it was an interesting peek into a world previously unfamiliar to me, but quite engaging from start to finish.
December 26, 2010
this was a really fun book to read outloud with nanook and than. my dad gave this to us as a loan and hopefully alix will find it as good as we did. maybe someday nook and i will get the red lantern!
February 19, 2011
Stupid title, but good book. The veterinarian who completed the Iditarod in this book, was my friend's husband, so I have a special connection to this book. It really gets across the ordeal one goes through to complete the Iditarod.
April 5, 2014
I wanted to keep going like the book was the race. A humorous and enlightening view of the famous Alaskan dog sled race. Made me want to learn more about mushing, dog sleds, dog sled racing and the dogs themselves. That's a good book.
June 1, 2008
A journlalist before he did the race, O'Donoghue's book is better written than others in the genre, though his amateur status as a racer left much to be desired. Some humorous scenes.
July 13, 2008
another memoir, I love sled dog stories...this one had an entertaining narrative, very funny.
July 15, 2008
Interesting read. A journalist's recounting of his quest for the red lantern (last place) in the Iditarod dog sled race.
November 21, 2012
Winter is coming. Time to get obsessed about the Iditarod again.
January 27, 2013
I enjoyed this a lot. The Iditarod O'Donoghue writes about is the one that took place my first month in Alaska.
December 22, 2014
Very fun. Always interested in the Iditerod. I really enjoyed this guys journey.
March 23, 2025
Took far too long to read this, forgot all the character relationships and who said what. So some of that is on me, but it was a slow read
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews