Product Description

To live in a pristine land ... to roam the wilderness ... to choose a site, cut trees, and build a home ... Thousands have had such dreams, but Richard Proenneke lived them. Here is a tribute to a man in tune with his surroundings who carved his masterpiece out of the beyond.

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One in the trees.        Rating:

There is so much beauty and imagination to be still discovered in the Alaskan wilderness. The story of Richard Proenneke's One Man's Wilderness describes in great detail of his time he spent in the Alaskan wilderness. I was amazed at the excitement and colorful pictures that were in my head as I read this book. This man's account of how he built his log cabin by hand and how he really connected to nature really inspired me to go out and do the same.

"What was I capable of that I didn't know yet? What about my limits? Could I truly enjoy my own company for an entire year? Was I equal to everything this wild land could throw at me?" Richard Proenneke asked the questions that I've asked myself many times. Even though I live in a different wilderness I still find myself asking if I am able to handle everything that will come my way.

I thought the book presented a very detailed way of how one can live their life in the wilderness with minimal aid from modern day utilities and services. Great detail was spent on how he would spend his days working to maintain a healthy lifestyle away from people. He recounts many stories of his encounters with the animals and the relationships he establishes with them. These stories keep one entertained and wanting more from the author and his life experiences. Much of the book comes from a personal journal that was kept by Richard and in spots it jumps around and skips almost an entire season in spots.

Overall I was very impressed with the book and thankful for Proenneke sharing his experience with the world. He showed that one can live on their own away from contact with people. He also gives inspiration to go out and try for yourself to live on their own, relying solely on experience and ingenuity for survival. For those wanting an escape from the everyday grind, this book transports you on the same small Cessna straight to "the last frontier."

An ageless classic        Rating:

One Mans wilderness is that rare book that you really dont want to end.
Proenneke's joy of life was infectious.

Couldn't put it down        Rating:

I loved traveling in Alaska. I love the mountains and everything else. One Man's Wilderness took me right there with him as he chiseled the logs for his log cabin and picked blueberries for his pancake syrup. Dick describes his daily adventures in a calm, matter of fact way and made me want more. Yes, the book is simple, but, so the premise and plot. Just survive wildness and the brutal cold. And he did, very comfortably and ably. Great testament to this gentle craftsman in the wild. This is my 2nd read and I also saw his film made into DVD titled "Alone in the Wilderness". I marveled at his resourcefulness and strength.

Great Book        Rating:

Bought this book for my oldest son to accompany the video. He loved it.
He is an avid outdoors man and he had trouble laying this book down.

Longing for Alaska        Rating:

The book takes you through a journey, not only of one mans day to day journal, but also of his ingenuity to survive an Alaskan winter. It made me want to follow in his footsteps and experience our last frontier. If I never make it to Alaska at least I can dream about it through these pages.

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