The History of Sled Dogs in North America: From the Bering Sea to the Atlantic Ocean

"This, in my opinion, is the Gold Standard on sled dogs." -Amazon reviewer (with 5 stars) "I am absolutely blown away! I have hundreds of books--make that thousands--and very few come close to being as extraordinary in scope!" -Veryl Goodnight, Mancos, Colorado "You should be very proud of what you've created. It will be a long time, if ever, before something comparable is produced." -Thomas Swan, Two Rivers, Alaska "I have never seen a book about sled dog history this comprehensive and complete!" -Lila Franceau, Duluth, Minnesota This full color elegantly illustrated book traces the history of the great sled dog teams who ran the snow-covered trails of the past, hauling freight, gold, mail, passengers and more, and providing what was often the only access to isolated towns and villages of the north. From the Native hunters bringing home their game to the early explorers discovering new routes, and from the great gold rushes to the life-saving Serum Run to Nome in 1925, dogs were the most reliable mode of transportation in an unforgiving land. Miners, scientists, surveyors, missionaries, doctors, polar explorers and many others relied on the dogs who carried the tools and supplies needed by those who settled in remote places. But this book also traces the history of mushing in more settled regions, from California to Colorado to New York and Maine, dog teams carried the mail, supplies, and passengers when winter snows made other travel difficult. There were splendid races as well, from the historic Ashton Dog Derby to the great Winnipeg to St. Paul race in 1917, which would become the stuff of legends and a popular Disney movie. With contributions by some of the foremost sled dog historians, the book features dozens of photographs, illustrations, and beautiful art. Historic newspaper and magazine articles, vintage books and journals, government reports, and even the Congressional Record are among the resources cited in tracing the history of sled dogs in North America. This book will become a landmark reference on the interdependence of man and dog, showcasing the different breeds and types of dogs, the various kinds of sleds and harnesses, and the wide range of men and women who found reason to drive sled dog teams into some of the harshest regions of Earth.