Product Description
This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process.We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide.We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

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Describes the geography, plants and animals, history, economy, language, culture and people of the state of Alaska ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Taking a tour of Alaska, the Last Frontier
They came up with a great photograph to indicate how big Alaska is on the cover of this From Sea to Shining Sea volume.Beyond the antlers in the front of the photograph there is a wide expanse of tundra, a forest, a river, more tundra, and off in the distance mountains (and that is cold desert tundra and not frozen tundra like at Lambeau Field).As Barbara A. Somervill explains in her opening chapter, Alaska is called the "last frontier," not to be confused with space, which is the "final frontier."If you put Alaska over the lower forty-eight states, it would reach from San Francisco to Cleveland (but I think that is talking just about the mainland and leaving the Aleutians and the southeast part of the state out of the equation).But while it is the biggest state, Alaska has the third smallest population (Vermont and Wyoming have less people).She also covers the fascinating story of Benny Benson, the 13-year-old who designed the state flag, before moving on to the people, places and events of the Last Frontier.

The geography of Alaska is the topic for the book's second chapter, which divides the state into six regions: the North Slope, Western Alaska, the Aleutian region, the Interior, South central Alaska, and Southeast Alaska.What is interesting this time around is that Somervill sets up how the unique geographical characteristics result in different Alaska Native cultures in each region.Alaska has 44,856 square miles of lakes and rivers, but the section of the chapter covering those is called water and ice, reflecting the fact that state is 350 miles south of the North Pole.There are also sections on climate as well as one on plants and animals.The third chapter is about the history of Alaska, the first part of North America to be settled.This time it is the Russians who are the first Europeans to arrive in Alaska, followed by the English and Spanish.In 1867, U.S. Secretary of State William Seward buys Alaska for $7.2 million (about two cents an acre), and "Seward's Folly" seems like a great idea when gold is discovered in the Yukon in 1896.Alaska did not become a territory until 1912, and it was not until World War II that the Alaska-Canada Highway was built connecting it to Washington state.Statehood comes in 1950 (the vote was 64-20 in the Senate, which I find interesting), and the chapter's final section on The Mighty Land of Alaska covers everything from the 1964 earthquake to the "Exxon Valdez" and today's environmental concerns.

The next chapter looks at the three branches of state government, and then Somervill takes her young readers on a tour of Juneau, the State Capital.A map of the downtown area show the location of the made government buildings and a few museums (notice in the photograph on the facing page that you can see the Federal Building and figure out some of the others from the map as well).The people and places of Alaska are detailed in the fifth chapter, which begins with the Alaska Natives, but also talks about education and what people find for work up there.This book has one of the few recipes for a main course with Mexican-Style Alaskan Pollock (no, really, that is what the recipe is for).You were probably hoping for something involving Alaskan king crab.Finally, we get to go on a tour of Alaska, beginning with the panhandle and ending up in the northern part of the state, with Somervill covering what there is to see and do in each region.

The back of the book begins with a two-page Alaska Almanac that includes some useful statistics and a long list of wildlife to go with the various state symbols and products.Then there is a Timeline that contrasts Alaska state history on top with U.S. history on the bottom, followed by a Gallery of Famous Alaskans that highlights Susan Butcher and Jewel Kilcher by giving them photographs.A Glossary defines some key terms such as "aurora borealis" and "tundra," while Somervill provides a list of web sites, books, and addresses that her readers can turn to For More Information.

That might be necessary, because a hallmark of this series are those dozens of sidebars scattered throughout.Who's Who in Alaska? tells about famous people from Vitus Bering to Sheldon Jackson, while Exrra! Extra! blocks tell about some of the things Alaska has the most or the largest of, and Find Out More asks young students to figure out thing like what oil from Prudhoe Bay is so hot.You also learn What's in a Name? (e.g., the state's name comes from the Aleut word "al-ay-es-ka," meaning "great land").So there is plenty of information in these 80-pages to work into a school report on Alaska in general or specific topics.Of course, from Alaska the only direction to go is south and from the 49th state there is only one place left to visit out there in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.So expect a big change in climate.Aloha!
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Product Description
This is an EXACT reproduction of a book published before 1923. This IS NOT an OCR'd book with strange characters, introduced typographical errors, and jumbled words.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

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Discusses the land, people, history, government, economy, sports, and recreation of Alaska. ... Read more

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From the pages of early-day northern newspapers comes a startling collection of accounts of the extraordinary and the unexplained: Mammoths discovered frozen whole in the icy grip of a glacier. A tropical valley hidden deep in the wilderness. Sea serpents sighted off the Bering Sea Coast. A ghostly maiden's endless search for the young miner she loved. Lost mines containing unimaginable wealth in gold. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Sophomoric Collection Of The Unexplained
This is a collection of edited snippets from 19th century and early 20th century newspapers out of the Yukon and Alaska, setting forth unsubstantiated stories of lost mines, mysterious tribes, living mammoths,hidden valleys, and other various anomalies from those regions.The author makes no attempt to comment on the veracity of any of the stories, some of which have been commented upon in more detail in other more comprehensive books dealing with similar controversial or unexplained phenomena and the like.It's a quick and mildly entertaining read, but those who require more details and substance to such intriguing mysteries should look elsewhere. ... Read more

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Provides an overview of the state of Alaska, covering its history, geography, economy, people, and points of interest. ... Read more

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Customer Reviews (1)

pleased
Very happy with purchase. Book in very good condition, fast shipping, arrived in good condition. ... Read more

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A profile of the biggest state, including its geography, history, economy, population, resources, famous citizens, and places of interest to visit. ... Read more

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A catalog of native Alaskan art with many glossy photographs. ... Read more

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FOR USE IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES ONLY. Relates the story of the 15-year-old Alaskan boy and his dogs as they prepare for and run the 158-mile course of the Junior Iditarod Race. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Iditarod Dream
Boys will love this book about a young man racing in the Iditarod Junior Race.I liked it too.The book details the winning boy in the race from practicing for the race, leaving his home the day of the race and the experience of racing.It is very facinating and well written. ... Read more