Winterdance: The Fine Madness of Running the Iditarod

Rating:
Summary: Born again by going to the dogs.
Review: Thomas Berger meets White Fang: Gary Paulsen and his dogs write a beautiful, hilarious, sad, and moving book that perfectly captures the lunacy of life and the Iditarod. A chorus of howls for more

Rating:
Summary: Going to the dogs- running the Iditarod
Review: This book brings alive the experience of the Iditarod. After the first couple of chapters, Gary Paulsen has the reader wondering about his sanity. His cluelessness about the preparation needed for himself and his team for this leaves the reader teetering on the edge of the sled blade wondering what is around the next corner, or over the next cliff. Winterdance had me roaring with laughter about his exploits and in awe over the passion his dogs having for running and Gary's passion for his team. It is by far the best book I have read in *years*. Read it!

Rating:
Summary: An astoundingly good book that is both wise and funny.
Review: Winterdance is one of those rare books, with the capacity to make you both laugh and think. Ostensibly, it's about Gary Paulsen's training for and running the Iditarod sled race, but it's also about life, what it means to be human, what it means to be dog, and how a person can both lose and find himself in a project. I probably should sue Paulsen for wetting myself with hilarity while reading his book, but instead I'll flatly state that anyone who hasn't treated him or herself to this excellent read has mi

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful book about a man driven to race the Iditarod
Review: The other reviewers have said everything I need to say about the quality of the writing. But, this is also the most beautifully *printed* book I have run across in a long time. Gorgeous paper, typeface, trimming... a booklovers' book.

Rating:
Summary: A vivid adventure and truly terrific read.
Review: An enormously gifted writer, Paulsen reaches directly into your mind, heart, and imagination and takes you along on this outrageous thousand-mile dogsled race across the frozen wonder of Alaska. The Iditarod is the ultimate challenge for mushers who live in Alaska, breed special dogs, and have all kinds of backing and equipment; Paulsen did it on a shoestring with a pack of scruffy dogs he picked up at the pound, and a stunning will and sense of adventure. I laughed out loud, shed a tear, experienced the glorious hush of the wilderness, and felt I was part of the race. I read Winterdance two years ago -- it still makes me want to stand up and cheer

Rating:
Summary: Magnetic, funny, and nowhere near long enough.
Review: I sent copies of this book to every dog owner I know. It is a great, funny, gorgeous account of an accident-prone dog-handler's first Iditarod. Gary Paulsen must be an extraordinary guy. He write without pride or pretense, and tells a wild story. I wanted the book to be longer.

Rating:
Summary: Best book I read this year
Review: This is quite possibly the best book I have ever read. I laughed. I cried. What a journey

Rating:
Summary: a great fast read
Review: Believe it or not, the book actually makes driving dogs through -60F weather sound fun!

Rating:
Summary: A vivid description of madness!
Review: This book will touch so many emotions. I have never laughed so hard in the middle of the night from reading a book. It runs the gauntlet of emotions and is a page turner that you do not want to put down! Being a sled dog owner myself, I can totally identify with the scenarios that the author places himself in! A must gift for animal lovers and those with a great sense of humor!

Rating:
Summary: Smooth easy to read
Review: There are some books that transcend their own genre and appeal to everyone. This is one such book. It flows over the funny bone so easily throughout the course of the story that the end comes before you want it to. It is especially poignant for those who have a bond with their significant other (dog). It is my GO TO gift when I need one quick.