The powerful and affirming story of a father's journey with his teenage daughter to the far reaches of Alaska Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge; home to only a handful of people; is a harsh and lonely place. So when James Campbell’s cousin Heimo Korth asked him to spend a summer building a cabin in the rugged Interior; Campbell hesitated about inviting his fifteen-year-old daughter; Aidan; to join him: Would she be able to withstand clouds of mosquitoes; the threat of grizzlies; bathing in an ice-cold river; and hours of grueling labor peeling and hauling logs? But once there; Aidan embraced the wild. She even agreed to return a few months later to help the Korths work their traplines and hunt for caribou and moose. Despite windchills of 50 degrees below zero; father and daughter ventured out daily to track; hunt; and trap. Under the supervision of Edna; Heimo’s Yupik Eskimo wife; Aidan grew more confident in the woods. Campbell knew that in traditional Eskimo cultures; some daughters earned a rite of passage usually reserved for young men. So he decided to take Aidan back to Alaska one final time before she left home. It would be their third and most ambitious trip; backpacking over Alaska’s Brooks Range to the headwaters of the mighty Hulahula River; where they would assemble a folding canoe and paddle to the Arctic Ocean. The journey would test them; and their relationship; in one of the planet’s most remote places: a land of wolves; musk oxen; Dall sheep; golden eagles; and polar bears. At turns poignant and humorous; Braving It is an ode to America’s disappearing wilderness and a profound meditation on what it means for a child to grow up—and a parent to finally; fully let go.
#13585 in Books Vintage Books USA 2010-06-15 2010-06-15Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 7.97 x .74 x 5.19l; .80 #File Name: 0307387941368 pagesVintage Books USA
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Flawed writing of a fascinating and important storyBy NstarlightA fascinating story; filled with disturbing information about the behavior of FEMA; the National Guard; and Homeland Security during the terrible events of Hurricane Katrina and the aftermath. This man was a hero; and was treated like first a criminal; and later as a terrorist due to his Syrian roots. Even more heartbreaking was to read in the news about how his and his family's life has unraveled in the decade since.The writing was sometimes irritating; as we were put inside Zeitoun's and others' minds at times when it seemed preposterous. I can see that Dave Eggers wanted to tell this story; but his doing this made me wonder about how impartial he was in his telling.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Harsh reality!By Diana SilveraI never imagined such devastation in New Orleans . The atrocious behaviors of various troops sent to restore law and order. The lack of preparedness of the powers that be to save the lives and take care of their citizens. Most appallingly the treatment of this sweet; hard working law abiding family.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A must readBy Great BakerEye opening background on Kstrina both before and after. In addition; it explains the Muslim religion of which I lacked knowledge. The issues faced due to conditions and corrupt police are shocking and presented in a way to educate those of us not living in the paths of hurricanes or facing sterotypes.
