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Summary: Amazing book!!
Review: This book is amazing!! I feel like I'm right there, through the training and running the race. He has so much honesty in what he feels and sees. I've always wanted to go to Alaska. Through his book, I feel like I got to tag along. THANKS!! I will definitely keep this book and re-read it.
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Summary: Beautiful and hilarious: this guy knows dogs.
Review: This is one of three of the finest dog books I have read about the Iditarod or about the sport of mushing. It is not an instructional guide, so go elsewhere to learn how. But if you want to know what really goes on, start here. Paulsen knows his dogs. He knows they will make up their own rules at the worst possible moments, but on the other, they will be right there for you while you recover. Most of all, he loves dogs and loves Alaska. This is really a fine, fine read. (And much safer than actually getting out there and doing it.)(If you only read one part find the section about the dogs and the bicycle.)
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Summary: A True Masterpiece!
Review: It is rare to come across a book of this caliber in today's market place. Gary Paulsen is a master of the written word. You will be drawn into his world and you will become a part of it. You will feel the joy, see the unimaginable beauty. You will feel the sting of the wind-driven snow and choke on the scent of a skunk. You will laugh aloud and be unable to stop, and you will feel the agony of a wreck.
I was unable to put this book down. When forced to, it called to me and drew me back to it like a powerful magnet.
This book has earned a permanent place on my shelf, and I would recommend it without reservation to anyone. This is a 6 star book on a scale of 1-5.
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Summary: Writing an Extraordinary Illusion
Review: There is a sort of 'wild appeal' that the Iditarod holds for most of us. As in its incipiency, the race is still a race for survival. A trek across a frozen ocean, a climb over the largest range in the U.S., the killer storms, the unimaginable fatigue, marauding moose, fear, constant cold, etc. It is easy to admire the dogs and mushers who attempt, finish, and win this amazing Alaskan race. As one examines this race closer, there is also a lot of science that goes into the race. Which is not to say a description of this race needs to read like a text-book, its just that, in order to do the race justice, we must - as rational people -- understand that this race is constrained by physical metrics, by science. Animal behavior is a science, and within this science, animals do act in discernable, predictable patterns. It is this aspect of sled dog racing that Mr. Paulsen chose to trample. As a professional in the field, I found this book disappointing - but oddly enjoyable. The science of Animal Behavior was dramatically subverted by the emotional naivete of the author. The author confounds rational behavior with questionable 'observations' that may make for better reading for the uninitiated, but create nothing but suspicion for those who are knowledgeable about animal behavior. The introduction of "Maggie" the wolf, is one such example. The author describes one of his day trips along his trapline wherein Maggie the wolf follows or leads his dog-team across the Minnesota countryside. Maggie takes little side-trips to catch rabbits or grouse as her hunger dictates and brings them back into view for the author to enjoy. Interesting. The wolf is able to secure more food in a matter of hours than most wolves can take in a week. Instead of eating it in a protected cover, as wolves and coyotes will do, Maggie happily trots back on the trail with the prey in her mouth - the dog-team meanwhile, continues trotting along. No matter that Maggie also happens to be on her estrus. Indeed, Mr. Paulsen was able to see more fauna on any one of his trapline visits than if he were a full time researcher on Isle Royale. I understand that the innocence of the animals with which we live and work can create emotional bonds. This emotion is worthwhile and sincere. But it should not displace real observation into this race, which is what this book did. Dogs are not mythical creatures who depart wisdom on progressive humans who are humble enough to open themselves to canine sagacity. Dogs are not agents of enlightenment, or precipitators of epiphanies. The only thing that they can teach is how to eat, reproduce and protect against their enemies - and to pull a sled in the case of these particular dogs. Period. All the other 'lessons' that the author learned along the way was due to his relative ignorance and naivete before he began the quest toward the Iditarod. It was life that revealed itself to Mr. Paulsen. Had Mr. Paulsen paid closer attention, he would have seen that Life was teaching him about himself. Tragically, he was too smitten with the idea of a deeper, more metaphysical truth from his lower mammals, and he missed the real truths that Life was trying to teach him. Like learn from your past mistakes and don't replace you leader three minutes before start time . . . To the chagrin of the author, he may never know that he did not find mystery, enlightenment, and wonderment in his canine companions. Unfortunately, he projected that unto the dogs. The dogs wanted no part of it. Still, in light of the subversion of 'precise observation' I found that I continued reading Winterdance with enjoyment. Gary Paulsen is a wonderful writer. He has a descriptive, humorous manner that is seductive. I was offended by the lack of factual adherence, but I also found that I looked forward to the moments I could steal to read this book. Mr. Paulsen's journey was worthwhile, and worthy to put down in text. Although I would not waste my time engaging Mr. Paulsen in a discussion of Animal Behavior, I would defer to his ability to write a book. He really is a fine writer, and worthy of respect in this craft. I would recommend this book to young adults - before they get to be Zoologists, Cetologists, Biologists, etc. I read Farley Mowat's book when I was around fourteen, and I believe this book could serve as an excellent guide into animal studies for a young adult. Unfortunately, I was to later discover that Mr. Mowat adhered to precise, factual observation no more than did Mr. Paulsen.
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Summary: Best book I've ever read!
Review: ...And I've read many good books! I think Winterdance deserves more than just five stars...it was absolutly the most incredible, and hilarious, book I know of. I have extensive sections memorized, which I recite to my friends, and we end up laughing every time, no matter how many times we've heard the same passage. My personal favorite dexribes a scene when Paulson is taking the dogs out for a training run, or trying to, at least:
"...Every farmer within forty miles of us knew about me, knew me as 'that crazy bastard who can't hold his team.' I once left the yard with wooden matches in my pocket, only to have them ignite as I was being dragged past the door of the house, giving me the semblance of a meteorite, screaming something about my balls being on fire at Ruth, who was laughing so hard she couldn't stand." I must have recited that part to over a hundred people by now, and I'm still laughing. I believe that everyone should read this book, and read it again, and again, and again...
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Summary: Absolutely fantastic.
Review: Gary Paulsen is a master writer insofar as the young male set goes-he has written a long series of stories that have captured the imagination of young men everywhere, from his fictional wildlife adventure tales like Hatchett to his entertaining Culpeper Adventure series, Paulsen has a knack for connecting with a young male audience. He was my son's all time favorite author growing up and, last time I visited him at college, noticed he had a copy of Hatchet on his bookshelf at school. I asked him about it and he said something to the effect that his room didn't feel like home without it there. How many writers can affect people like that? Winterdance is a bit of a departure for Paulsen. As sott of younger male's version of Jon Krakauer's Into Thin Air, the book is a memoir telling the story of Paulsen's entry into the Iditarod dog sled race in Alaska. Funny, sad, poignant and riveting, I read it and enjoyed it very much. I also had my son read it and he loved it as well. I rather suspect it's on his shelf next to Hatchett. You can't really go wrong with Paulsen, but this is one of his very best works, which makes this one of the best works ever for this genre. Want to help your son, nephew, whomever to love to read while making your son, nephew, whoever very happy? Give them this book.
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Summary: Holy turkey! Was this funny!
Review: The moment I laugh out loud I know an author has done something that is hard to do, make me chuckle. I'm a tough critic when it comes to humor, but this book absolutely tickled me. Look for this phrase: "By the time I knew what I was doing I had been denuded by the dogs" or some such phrase. I am still laughing. Paulsen is such an amateur at running the Iditarod that you laugh, but he's a professional writer and this book has many levels. From humor, to the beauty of Alaska, to the relationship he develops with his dogs, I loved it. 4 stars because the last chapter didn't wrap it up concisely enough.
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Summary: Excellent telling of a wonderful story...
Review: I lent this book to a coworker and he went out the next day and hooked his husky to his bicycle and let her pull him all over the neighborhood. This book inspires that 'fine madness' in all of us.
'Winterdance" is a delightful read that will have you laughing out loud - more than once. Palusen's vivid descriptions of his triumphs - and (more hysterically) dreadful mistakes - as he learns to race dogs for the Iditarod paint a picture of a sport that perhaps requires professional counseling when you decide to participate.
In addition, Paulsen's descriptions of the Alaskan wilderness take your breath away, make your feet cold, and leave you clinging to the fact that he MUST live through this mess if he wrote the book!
A delightful read - or an excellent gift to a dog lover, outdoor enthusiast, or friend who enjoys a good laugh.
And watch out for those Moose.
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Summary: Dog Lover or Not, This Book is for You!
Review: I have lent this book to countless people, and everyone has loved each page. Even my husband, who does NOT like novels, couldn't put this book down. Winterdance is a novel that has a fine pace, spectacular imagery, and wonderful humor. It is an engaging story. Gary Paulsen, a celebrated children's author, highlights a time in his life where he was not a writer, dead broke and totally in love with his dogs and the great outdoors. Winterdance chronicles Paulsen's discovery of "running dogs" and follows him all the way through the grueling Iditarod. Along the way, he reflects on personal transformation as well a passion for nature. His writing paints beautiful pictures of the northern wilderness areas without going on and on. He is funny, compassionate and very much an individual. It is a quick read and a MUST read.
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Summary: Outstanding true story
Review: This is a stunning and visceral account of a man's journey into wildness. As Gary Paulson recounts the events leading up to and then his running of the Iditarod-for him a more than 1200-mile trek on dogsled through the Alaskan wilderness-the reader watches him transform from family man and author into a thing of nature. His rough prose is fitting to his subject and is more than natural-it is absolutely necessary to convey the intensity of his journey, both physically and spiritually. At first the reader is shocked by Paulson's brash decisions and seemingly wanton disregard for his own personal safety. By the end there are no more decisions, only reactions-there is nothing more than trail and dogs. They become all-consuming, a universe unto themselves. One of the most striking things about this story is Paulson's ability to convey the primitive beauty of the other wild things he comes across during his many adventures-a beaver, a brush wolf, caribou, and, of course, the dogs themselves. The dogs are the most important things in the tale, just as they are the most important part of the race. One feels more sorrow and misery at the loss of a good dog in this book than the death of any other character in any other story could ever cause. The sheer joy of a good run for the team becomes bliss for the reader. The fact that this is a true story, Paulson's own recounting of a period in his own life, only adds to the grandeur of the piece. Here is a man who has truly lived, who has faced intense pain and elemental forces, bone-deep fear and heavenly glory on earth. Bravo to Paulson for taking his life by the short hairs and heeding his call to wildness, and deep thanks to him for sharing it with the rest of us.
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