Green Alaska: Dreams of the Far Coast

by Nancy Lord

Book Overview

In 1899 Edward Harriman, the railroad tycoon and most powerful man in America, assembled an elite crew of scientists and artists and took them on a two month survey of the Alaskan coast. Its 126... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1582430020
• ISBN13: 9781582430027
• Release Date: May 1999
• Publisher: Counterpoint LLC
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.6" x 8.6"

Customer Reviews

Read before you go to Alaska

Interesting read. I'd almost say a necessary read prior to your first trip to Alaska, especially if you'll be near coast and glaciers. The story of the Harriman expedition was fascinating and though I'd been to Alaska several times before I'd read this, I had not known about that prior to reading this book. Worth the read just to learn about the expedition and the changes since! Gave to dad before his cruise to AK and he seemed less enthused than I about the book. He didn't like the back and forth (present to past) style of the story. Yet I'd found the counterpoint very effective and enjoyable.

Alaska Impressions: Then and Now

This is a very nicely written book which traces the Harriman Alaska expedition of 1899. Railroad magnate Edward Harriman went on and sponsored a major expedition of scientists and naturalists to the coasts of Alaska and modern Alaskan Nancy Lord traced this expedition, following it in part with family and friends in her own fishing boat. The book is thought-provoking and does a good job of describing changes and common themes in Alaska over 100 years. As I read on, I could anticipate the author's perspective on issues. I found myself wanting more information about the expedition, including more maps and photos. Overall, I enjoyed this book and recommend it.

Eloquence and Clarity

It is set on the page as prose but Nancy Lord's prose is poetry. Thought, emotion, reflection, and insight, blend together to form a simple eloquence that is at once the state of Alaska then and now. Following a 'millennial' voyage across this vast territory, Nancy manages to make us understand the ending of the last century, attitudes toward the world, the environment, its theft in some cases, and she does it in as few words as possible. Join her on her own journey as well as she brings into strong relief the changes that took place over the last 100 years and what has not changed. This is exceptional work and a must-read for anyone who wants to understand not only Alaska but also what it means to love the land.

A great read on a hot summer day

Though I read the library's copy, now I have to buy it. Lord, New Englander turned long-time resident of Homer, AK, traces the route of the 1898 Harriman expedition, with many glimpses of her own work on a fishing vessel and of her fellow Alaskans. Amusing vignettes of Harriman and his fellow travellers, esp. the "Two Johnnies," Muir and Burroughs, and their opposite approaches to appreciating & protecting nature. Altogether, a riviting and poignant tale of the Bring 'em Back Dead school of science, but not too heavy on the eco-enlightenment, and well researched, using a wide net.