Seppala: Alaskan Dog Driver

by Elizabeth M. Ricker, Leonhard Seppala

The Incredible True Account of Leonhard Seppala and Togo's Life of Adventure in Alaska and the Far North.Leonhard Seppala a legend throughout Alaska, got his introduction to the dogsled as a musher for the Pioneer Mining Company during his first winter there. Where he was presented with his first team—a batch of puppies brought back from Siberia for use on an expedition to the North Pole by the arctic explorer Roald Amundsen and presented to Seppala when Amundsen canceled the expedition. It was with this pack of Siberian huskies led by Suggen, that Seppala made history in the All-Alaska Sweepstakes race.This was the golden age of the dogsled, and the All-Alaska Sweepstakes was the first notable race of its kind. A precursor to the Iditarod, the sweepstakes was a run from Nome to Candle, Alaska; then back to Nome, a journey of 408 miles along the Bering Strait.In this no-holds-barred race Leonhard Seppala was a diamond in the rough. A diminutive in size, dominative in spirit Norwegian, he took his huskies to the finish without ever whipping them once, a concept that was unheard of in those days. With his faith in the dog’s love for running and his exceptional care and handling Seppala went on to win the Sweepstakes three years in a row, as well as establishing the best time in the history of the race. He set a precedent that would continue to the modern age of dogsled races such as the Iditarod—a 1,049-mile race that commemorates the route of the 1925 serum run in which Seppala and his lead dog Togo played a crucial role.During the bitter cold December of 1925, a horrific diphtheria epidemic gripped Nome. In this remote Alaskan outpost of 10,000 people the mortality rate from the disease was predicted to be close to 100% and the only way to combat it was to receive antitoxins. If this wasn’t bad enough, the only method of transportation to Nome in the dead of winter is by dog sled, and the distance much too far for it to be done alone.A relay of dog teams and drivers was quickly organized, and the 674-mile brutal journey to save a city was begun. From Nenana to Nome normally a 30-day trip, the heroic mushers and dogs did it in six.There is much to be said about the serum run and the truly exceptional dog “Togo” and his greatest and last run there. But it is best left to Seppala himself to tell the story.Written in 1930, this biography of the exceptional man is the only first-hand account of his life.

320 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 9, 2009

Reviews

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good biography about Leonhard Seppala, a Norseman who became one of the master sled dog racers in Alaska. The book chronicles his life growing up in a Norse fishing village and his decision to move to Alaska as well as his encounters there. Seppala is best known for his part in the 1925 diphtheria serum run to Nome. He settles the controversy about the greatest dog on that run - Balto or Togo. He is the definitive source. He owned both dogs.

Most of the book told through his own words is an account of his early life as a fisherman, and his subsequent life as a gold miner and musher. The accounts of his participation in the All Alaska Sweepstakes dogsled races, which he won 4 times are amazing.

I had a hard time rating this book. It was written in 1930. Styles change and parts seemed clumsy or antiquated. I eventually decided on a 4-star rating instead of a 3-star rating. The book is a classic, it is worth reading, and the subject is remarkable.

[M · Rating 4 out of 5]

A decent autobiography (sort of) of Leonhard Seppala. A true hero and now legend of the early Alaskan 20th Century. Here he tells some of his life story to Ms. Elizabeth Ricker who edited the story for our consumption. A book that was easy to read, written as if he was sitting next to you telling you each part, adventure after adventure. While not a complete biography "Seppala" gives you enough of a picture to get an understanding of who he was and what kind of life he ended up living. I would have liked more in-depth information, the information given was just enough to give you an idea or just enough to convey the story and not much else. You can see how tough he was, how strong he had to be, and how much he relied on his dogs, as well as the love he had for Togo. But to figure this out you have to read between the lines. This story ends before Togo dies, when he is retired though Seppala lived on much longer. I'd give it a good three and a half stars, quite good just not great.

[Andrea Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even more harrowing accounts than in the Disney movie Togo

Togo the movie is by far my most favorite movie. I decided to look for a book to learn more about Togo and Seppala. A riveting read, at least two terrifying stories on the ice and a lot of back story that helps the reader see why Seppala and his dogs were the best for endurance. A lot of really neat details that weren’t in the movie. A really worthwhile read!

[Jenreiter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was not quite what I expected, but I loved it nonetheless. I expected a series of Mushing stories, but what I got instead was an in-depth look at a life full of adventure. The Serum Run is just a blip in the course of the novel, and Togo doesn’t appear until the second to last chapter... but it’s an entertaining and enjoyable read.

[Miss Clark · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

It was informative enough, told from his own recounting from interviews and conversations, but heavily focused on his youth and life up to the Serum race, which is more of a footnote. It was interesting to get his perspective and thoughts on the events in question and Togo. Pictures throughout.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must read for the real Balto, sleddog and Alaska fan.
I loved the fact that most part of the book is written by Leonhard himself.
I have gained so much respect for Leonhard not just as a historical figure but as a person.

[Adam A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book about Leonhard Seppala was a fascinating read that starts with his childhood in Norway as a fisherman. He then leaves for Alaska for the riches of the gold rush. He doesn't know any English but gets a teacher and slowly learns it. He starts by shoveling dirt and gets paid for this so he gets a tent to live in. Later on after a few years of this and being promoted, he starts carrying people and supplies around the Nome, Alaska region. To do this he uses a dog-sled and eventually a friend gets him to try out for a competition and does compete in it. Later he competes in the All-Alaskan-Sweepstakes, which is equivalent to the Iditarod today, and gets lost and doesn't do well at all. A few years later he enters and wins it against the number one sledder in Nome at that time. He then goes on to win two more All-Alaskan-Sweepstakes, a total of three, and this is the start to his dog racing career. he starts carrying people again and carried one lady who almost lost it at the beginning but started driving the sled instead of Seppala. She also took a revolver and, after Seppala through two cans in the air, shot one two times and one once. After this came Togo, Seppala's best lead do he ever had. Togo started out as a little playful pup that one time ran away from his home to get Seppala when he was off with the team delivering something. There's a dog named Balto, maybe you've heard of him, well Seppala raised him and he was only good at short distance sledding. Togo was the dog that delivered the serum to all the sick people of Nome. Balto was given away because Seppala didn't need him and all they did, the reporters, was take Togo's records and put the with Balto to give him fame and now he has a statue of himself in Nome.

This book fascinated me because of what my Uncle said and I think that you will enjoy it too. It has cool real life stories, good descriptions, and has some good history behind it. I enjoyed the book because I learned about this amazing dog sledder that in one summer drove 7,000 miles on dog sled and learned about the real dog that ran the serum drive. The book also has an amazing history behind it because Seppala takes part in the gold rush, the serum drive, and numerous Alaskan dog races. I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in Alaskan dog sledding, an amazing man, and some life changing story.