Rating: 
Summary: A Decent Adventure - Some of the Time
Review: I bought this book at the airport with high expectations and looked forward to pouring though it on a long flight. I expected great stories abouth the running of the Iditarod. I expected insighftful and visual characterizations of the Alaskan wilderness. And more, I expected a real page-turner as I thoroughly enjoy real-life outdoor adventures. The book had high points and a few instances of the content I expected. It mostly talked about dogs; dog feet, dog fights, dog food, dog naps, dog houses, dogs thoughts, and yes....dog poop. When the human element did enter, it was mostly tales of idiotic failure and the inability to learn lessons. For example, if you go into the woods at night and get sprayed by no less than 7-8 skunks that make you violently ill, you probably don't go back the next night for the same treatment. The author does. Time after time, the author pokes fun at himself and his seemingly endless streak of failures and accidents. After you learn about what not to do in the first half of the book, the author just barely sketches the running of the Iditarod from beginning to end. A little more time spent on the race and a little less time spent on the preparation for the race would have made for a better page-turn. If you like winter outdoor adventures, give it a try. If you have an overwhelming passion for dogs, give it a try. If you are looking for a full story about the Iditarod, give it a chance....but I warned you.
Rating: 
Summary: A damned good read.
Review: I read.
I read lots.
I rarely read a book that entrances and charms me, and can elicit movingly and with great humor, a world of exploration and "alternative adventure." Gary Paulsen's "Winterdance" does this, with the same spirit Thor Heyerdahl's "Kon-Tiki" does. Once I cracked the cover to "Winterdance", I didn't (couldn't) put it down...and found myself not only laughing out loud at Paulsen's self-effacing description of his initial mushing misadventures, but also catching my breath at the beauty, the struggles, and the magic he manages to descibe so evocatively of his experiences on the Iditerod Trail.Frankly, I just thought this book was a damned good read all round, and would recommend it highly. Though I have told so many people about this book, I have NOT leant out my own copy. It will be a part of my permanent library...to be read and reread.
Rating:
Summary: Takes off at a dead run and never stops till the end.
Review: From the first page to the last, there is not a boring moment in the book. Many books need to be read over and over, returning to them is like going back to visit an old friend.
But there are some, that the first time is always the best, and you are ever envious of those who are reading it for the first time.
Winterdance is such a book. In the book he often describes the feeling of wonder and exitement for what is around the next bend. Each page feels like this. You relish each page, for the dry wit and frank way Mr. Paulsen deals with his adventures, but you can hardly wait for the next page.
Mr. Paulsen is rank about what he did wrong, and does not try and attribute his successes to anything more then luck. He laughs at himself easily and invites the reader to laugh with him.
A wonderfully well written book, that takes off at a dead run, and never stops.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Incredible
Review: Everyone knows Gary Paulsen from his books like HATCHET, but I had never expected to see or read something of this magnatude. WINTERDANCE is an enthralling look at the first time Paulsen ran the Iditarod race with a virgin team of dogs. The book starts with the idea of running the race and continues on until after the race is over. It is sometime, especially at the beginning, some of the funniest writing I've ever read. One of the best stories involves the shell of a car, a full team of strong dogs, and about a dozen skunks. There are times when this reviewer had to stop reading and try to stop laughing because there was no way I could continue since my eyes were so full of tears of laughter. However, there are also times during this book when it's almost impossible to continue reading because the story being told is so powerful or sad. Paulsen's story-telling shows the true reason why dogs are called Man's Best Friend. The dogs in this story are told with personality instead of just a means of travel. Each dog is shown in its own light with its own humor and power. The dogs are more human of characters than in many of today's novels. If you are looking for an incredible book to read and laugh and cry and be moved by, then this is it. Gary Paulsen has written another masterpiece that can be enjoyed by all ages. I only wish I was capable of writing like this.
Rating:
Summary: Thanks Mr. Paulsen for this book
Review: A friend told me about this book and thankfully I followed up by reading it. Very good style, appropriate language, extremely interesting content, a nice touch of sarcastic humor I especially enjoyed and some spiritual tones that I can relate to. You don't have to be a dog person, an adventurer or an Iditarod-want-to-be to really enjoy this book. It is simply a good read. In fact, thank you Mr. Paulsen, for writing such a wonderful account of this race, as I now know it is not for me! I'll stick with my one dog and some wildly crazy backpacking trips, but steer clear of the Iditarod for now. I want to add that the best part of this book, in my opinion, is the amazing view inside animal spirits, minds and intellect.
Rating:
Summary: Capturing the Wild
Review: This is one amazingbook about a man (Gary Paulsen) and his experiances with running the Iditarod dog race in Alaska. It goes through his nothing but humorous traing process, and then onto the grueling, tiring, painful race. This book shows how one man connects with nature and his dogs and how these dogs arent being changed by him, but he is being changed by the dogs. He gives a great account of his loving (and obviously favorite) dog Cookie, the lead of his team. He goes through the relationships with everyone he meets and his thoughts while reviewing for the race before it's start in Anchorage, Alaska. Paulsen is one of my all time favorite authors and when i read this I was impressed with the emotion, and hysterical hallucinations and I was glad that this book went way over my expectations. I reccomend this book to everyone and anyone, especially those who enjoy the great outdoors and animals. Nothing but the best!!
Rating:
Summary: My new favorite book.
Review: I have been a big fan of the Iditarod for a long time and since I can't move to Alaska and become a musher myself I devour any books on the subject I can get my hands on, and they have been many. This was by far the best. Gary Paulsen is a superb author and in this book he takes the reader on a journey into the mind of a sane man who was driven to Alaska to run the last great race. We follow Gary from his very beginning days of running dogs along his trapline to his evolution into running for sport, through his trial and error methods of training, all the way up to the day he finishes the race. The book will capture your interest from the very first pages and won't let you go until the very last, and then leave you hungry for more of his elegant storytelling. I can't say enough good things about this book. It is, in a word, outstanding.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent book!
Review: I could not put this book down and literally read it in a single sitting. Not only was sled dogging and the iditerod an interesting subject, but told in his captivating, engaging style I felt as if I were right alongside through all of the joys and trials and found myself laughing right out loud in parts. I can't wait to read some other books written by Gary Paulsen now as well. I highly recommend this book.
Rating:
Summary: Great for all people, all ages
Review: I absolutely loved this book. I recommend it to ALL readers. It is a book that will satisfy everyone. It is fun, I smile and laugh every time I tell someone about this book. I hope you enjoy it as much as me!
Rating:
Summary: Definitely worth reading!
Review: This is indeed one of the best books I've ever read and it is one of a select few that I've actually read more than once. You do not have to be interested in dogs or Alaska to enjoy this book. I experienced a wide range of emotions while reading Winterdance - from laughing till I cried to some of the anxious and exhilarating moments during the race itself, this book was an emotional journey.
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