North of the Sun

by Fred Hatfield

This is an account of 50 years spent in the Alaskan wilderness, in the early days of the state. The author is one of America's last "new frontiersmen", who chronicles his everyday life, trials and discoveries - from death-duels with grizzlies to gold-prospecting.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography Memoir, Memoir

176 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1990

Reviews

[Bruce · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author of this book is actually my grandfather. It took me a while to finally get around to reading it but I finally did and was very impressed with how well my grandfather's book was. It was also nice to finally get a glimpse of my grandmother who unfortunately died before I was born.

[Zabette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read this book several times -- I love it. The narrative voice is so straightforward and honest, the experience lived is an unusual one in its location and time, and the man himself appears to have been remarkable. And he says absolutely nothing that sounds like boasting.

Individual scenes have remained stuck in my mind for years, like the aftermath of an encounter between a wolverine and a grizzly. Or the wolf caught in the trap. Or the strange sights and sounds that populated that valley. A quick read - hard to put down.

[Katy Fry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book every year, and it never stops being my favorite.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book so much. I think it was the combination of information about the native people of Alaska, what that part of the country was like 80 years ago, a glimpse of what the U.S. was like that long ago, a little back country adventure, and then this beautiful story about the Fred Hatfield and his life roughing it in the Alaskan wilderness. He even raised a family back there with them grizzlies, wolverines, moose and wolves. So damn cool. . . and quite entertaining.

[Kristine Stevens · Rating 4 out of 5]

With an honest true voice, Fred Hatfield shared his amazing life story in Alaska - no frills, no wimps, no sugar-coating the life and death situations people faced in the rugged wilderness. Highly recommend to anyone who has been or is going to Alaska.

NOTE: If you can't tolerate hunting, this book is not for you. I wish he would have explained why he never took the hides from the bears he killed.

[Matt Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are many great memoirs of hardy early Alaskans making their way in the Great Land before there were roads, infrastructure and the comforts of today. I’m a big fan of Wilderness Homesteaders and One Man’s Wilderness. Count this book among those great stories. I picked this book up on a recommendation of a friend as one of the most memorable books she’d ever read. I’m so glad I read it. I am not that familiar with Tikchik and the part of Alaska where Fred Hatfield made his homebase but his descriptions and his encounters made it come alive. And I was pleasantly surprised to read about the family relocating to Homer in the Kenai Peninsula, the place I call home today.

[Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Memoir
1930’s Great Depression in Alaska
His first 40 years living there
Fishing, hunting furs, and more.
He respects and befriends indigenous people (he uses the old name for Inuit, which was the respectful title at the time), the land, and the animals.
He is hunted by a Serial Killer, and kills him.

[Nmdb22 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A glimpse into life in the Alaskan wilderness in the early days of the 20th century - a very understated writing style that reflects the kind of person the author was. Read in anticipation of visiting Alaska, and well worth it!

[Michael Schmidt · Rating 4 out of 5]

A story deeply touching. Breathe history with Fred Hatfield for a day. It’s not a long read, but extremely memorable. I read it when I was 13 and I can still remember most of it at the age of 34.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

4+ Stars

[Lalove · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing story by an amazing man. I loved his straightforward narrative style. I felt like I was right there in Alaska with him, and I wish I could have been! Left me wishing I could spend a few years living the way he did. It is a simple, but fascinating, lifestyle.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

It would make a good movie. The settings sound pristine. The last frontier and his experiences are very interesting.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have actually no words because this book is beautiful

[Shelley Alongi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. There are some nice descriptions of land and water and the relationship between his wife and how at the end he comes full circle. Nice way to end the book.