Book Review: Alaska by James A. Michener

October 10, 2024

About:

Alaska by James A. Michener is a historical-fiction novel, following the history of Alaska from the inception of the continent, to becoming a state. Mr. Michener is a prolific American author, known for his lengthy sagas covering many generations.

  • 1152 pages
  • Publisher ‏ : Dial Press
  • Language ‏ : English
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : 037576142X

Book Review: Alaska by James A. Michener
My rating for Alaska 4

Buy Alaska from Amazon.com*
More books by James A. Michener*

Thoughts:

I heard about this novel while visiting Sitka, an amazing place much like the rest of the state, when our tour guides off-handedly mentioned that “there’s the house where James Michener wrote Alaska”. Once I got back home, I looked up the novel, and despite its size thought it sounded very interesting.

The book can be considered a bunch of loosely based novellas. Each with its own characters, drama, culture, history and story. After visiting several of the places mentioned in the book, I felt that Mr. Michener played fast and loose with the history, but the novel is still immensely enjoyable. Many of the characters do make appearances in each different sections of the book, which is nice especially if they’re likeable.

This is a lush, easily digestible book, rich in detail and excellent characterization. Starting with a descriptive geological formation, biological history, and the story takes off once humans enter the picture. I am not familiar with Alaskan culture, but from the little I read it seemed that, once again, the narrative lacked rigor and substance.

The grand state itself, “The Last Frontier” as it calls itself, is its own character. Mr. Michener captures the grandeur, harshness, and unforgiving nature of Alaska.

The sections I enjoyed the most are the Russian exploration of Alaska, including the sale to the United States, and the Klondike gold rush. The United States didn’t know what to do with “Seward’s Folly” for decades, until realizing what a treasure we have on our hands.

The stories about the exploitation of the salmon industry, and bush pilot culture which were integral to the prosperity of Alaska are fascinating to read. However, the section about World War II and how Alaskans were mobilized to stop the Japanese from getting a foothold in the Aleutians is mesmerizing.

Buy Alaska from Amazon.com*
More books by James A. Michener*

Zohar — Man of la Book
Dis­claimer: I bought this book
*Ama­zon links point to an affil­i­ate account, the money is usually spent on books

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Alaska by James A. Michener
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Wrap Up

Alaska by James A. Michener

Book Review: Alaska by James A. Michener

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