[.ca] Alone Across the Arctic: A Woman's Journey Across (ISBN 088240539X)

Not Alone in the Arctic:
I, too, read Pam Flowers' book with great interest, as I love anything to do with the Arctic and dogsledding. However, what all the other reviewers seem to forget is that while Flowers did the actual trek with her dogs, it was Ann Wilson's skill as a writer that got the book published. And, yes, her name is right alongside Flowers' name on the cover. As a professional writer and book reviewer, I'm always conscious of those who need a writer to help express themselves. And while Pam Flowers indeed deserves praise for her feat, Ann Wilson deserves just as much.

Inspiring.:
The more I read this book, the more convinced I became that this sort of adventure was not for me (not that I've really been tempted). But crossing the artic by dog sled was Ms. Flowers' dream, and the further I read the more I respected her for her courage and persistance. Her dream was downright risky and life threatening. Her book puts these risks and the possibility of death in perspective, as simply things to deal with in facing her dream. There's a lesson to be learned here, about taking risks in our own lives. I won't recommend this book to everyone, but my friends who appreciate courage and finding your own way will certainly hear from me.

Great story of perseverance:
I had the opportunity of seeing Pam Flowers at an Audobon society meeting here in Nevada. What an inspiring story she has to tell. My nine year old daughter was impressed by her story of fulfilling a life-long goal in spite of physical, and societal obstacles. This woman, who physically does not appear capable of such endurance, moved from the lower United States to pursue her dream of dog-sledding and exploring in the Arctic. She recounts her trip with a lot of sidelights about her dogs, which are her beloved companions. During one point in the trip, she was stranded on an ice floe and could have requested a rescue. However, that would have meant leaving the dogs behind; something she refused to do. Her stories of life in northern Canada among the Inuit gave insight into a people most often depicted as primitive, igloo dwellers, but who are in fact struggling to integrate native and modern ways. It is a shame that it took so long for this book to come out. Apparently, she struggled for years to find a publisher. She now travels around giving lectures to schools and groups and preparing for another trip northward. I highly recommend this book as an adventure, a story of exploration, a tale of a woman's perseverance, and a good dog story.

A Reader From South Carolina and frequent visitor to Alaska:
Alone across the Arctic was a very well-written and compelling story. I hail from the South and really dislike the cold but found myself very engrossed in this woman's travel across the Arctic with only her dogs for companionship! Once I started this book I could hardly put it down until finished. This small but strong woman does not resort to sensationalism but tells the true and wonderful story of the awesome beauty and wonder of the Arctic. You get to know each dog's personality and courage but most of all you grow to admire Pam Flowers' courage in following her dream. You will enjoy every moment of this book

"Hooked" on this book!:
What a great book! Can you imagine what inspiration this gives height-challenged people? Kids who may never top 5 feet have an incredible role model, female, no less, who said "I can do this," and did! I alerted a cousin who teaches jr. high in Alaska about the possible impact of this chronicle of Flowers' adventure on youth of any age and the fact that Dixon's masterful editing grips the reader no matter what the page. She was three jumps ahead of me, informing me that Alone Across the Arctic is already a Battle of the Books book in the state. My local library said they can't keep it in; that their "underground youth readership" had spread the word and it was constantly being checked out. The librarian offered gratis that it had received a School Library Journal "starred review," which is evidently a big deal in librarydom, but said that that probably had nothing to do with its popularity among youth. As a substitute teacher I am always on the alert for books that will get kids "hooked" on reading. Alone Across the Arctic, regardless of the numerous adult awards it is amassing, seems to be doing just that. Librarians and teachers know that true life adventure well told sells better than fiction. Bravo to Flowers for the courage to follow her dream and to both Flowers and Dixon for a compelling work. It's a great read!