Seven Words for Wind: Essays and Field Notes from Alaska's Pribilof Islands

by Sumner MacLeish, Valerie Griffith (Editor)

MacLeish's beautifully crafted prose illuminates the unique landscape of a subarctic island in the Bering Sea -- its abundant wildlife, fierce weather, and Aleut inhabitants.

159 pages, Hardcover

First published February 15, 1997

Reviews

[Allie · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting book of essays and observations of the author’s experiences living among the Pribilof Islands in Alaska. She describes the sometimes uncomfortable and inconvenient pull of the wild and of Alaska well, especially as someone whose family is elsewhere: “Yet few people are able to leave Alaska forever once they’ve lived there, and even fewer leave who’ve tasted life in the Bush.”

Minus one star because I personally felt the author’s writing style is a little vague and tries too hard at times to be meaningful and flowery. Still good book and essays though!

[Cindi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and sad book about community, family, life on a remote island, and Alaska Native issues. I read it while a single mom, and it resonated with my own feelings of loneliness and the struggle to make your life fit with someone else's.

[Leonard Jacobs · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful perspective on a life of adventure and courage told with such simplicity. How living on such a remote island can provide such insights into our modern life -- amazing!