On the Edge of Nowhere
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His father is a white trapper, his mother an Athabascan Indian who walks a thousand miles in winter to reunite with her family. Thus, Jimmy Huntington learns early how to survive on the land. Huntington is only seven when his mother dies, and he must care for his younger siblings.
A courageous and inspiring man, Huntington hunts wolves, fights bears, survives close calls too numerous to mention, and becomes a championship sled-dog racer.
13 reviews for On the Edge of Nowhere
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Ken M –
A true Alaskan
A riveting read by a true Alaskan pioneer. A story of the brutal Alaska weather, setbacks that should have made him quit, and a man that was strong enough to tackle it and come out the winner.
Dr. Robin Bentel –
The real Alaska…
James Huntington was the quintessential man of the natural order, living off the earth in the harshest conditions one can find in America – Alaska’s outback. Son of a remarkable young Native American survivalist and a white father, he was raised w/a persevering spirit, taught the skills to enable making a life under the most challenging and primitive circumstances. His stories paint pictures for the reader which brings alive how it was for these pioneers to survive, to prosper, to be overcoming repeated setbacks, to make due with less than the basics, to be determined to prevail against all odds. He used his wits, his determination to overcome his bodily limitations, to keep pushing onward in conditions continually life threatening. He learned how to move beyond his status as an isolated “halfbreed Indian” trapper to engage with the almost always competitive Eskimo and white communities, earning the respect of all, to become a new community founder and councilman. His concerns always to improve conditions for others as well as his own struggling and growing family. An inspiring read about what it means to survive and find meaning in one of nature’s harshest places. Dr Robin Bentel, No Calif
User 1 –
An entertaining book!
A great, short read. Lots of funny tales and heartbreaks. Some of the stories seem a bit outlandish but could be completely true, who is to say? I imagine my son might enjoy this book as well one day.
Lisa K –
An Interesting Life, Adventure in Alaska
I read Sidney Huntington’s book (Shadows along the Koyukuk) years ago, and loved it. When I discovered this one and realized Sidney and Jim were brothers I couldn’t wait to read it.In “On the Edge of Nowhere”, Jim tells his life’s story, starting before he was even born and his mother was a child. She was well known because she walked 1,000 miles across the tundra by herself, to get back to her family. Jim lost both his parents before he was fully grown, and went on to pack more adventure into his life than two or three regular people could do. He hunted and trapped, piloted boats on the Koyukuk river, won the All Alaska Championship dogsled race several times, married three times, founded the town of Huslia and established their school, lost everything to a fire, and in later years served in Alaska’s House of Representatives and on the Alaska Board of Fisheries.And despite all of this, he remained a humble man. Throughout the book he comes across as a decent, honest, hard working man who never gave up. Whether it was staggering behind his exhausted dogs in the last miles of a race, or rebuilding after his store burned down, he had the Alaskan spirit of independence and perseverance. Yet when asked on a questionnaire about any notable accomplishments in his life, he simply wrote the word “none”.If you’re a fan of Alaskan stories like I am, this is a book you will love.
Amazon Customer –
Great Read! Educational. Insightful.
A great life story about a great family of people! I thoroughly enjoyed the book, cover to cover. I am now reading his brother’s (Sidney, who is 2 yrs older) life story. It’s interesting how they each tell/remember their childhood experiences. Similar, but each has different perspective, Sidney being the oldest. When Sidney, Jimmy and their baby sister were left alone in the wilderness for days (after their mother died from eating bad Whitefish guts, which Sidney tells, Jimmy doesn’t) Jimmy was only 3 yrs old. Sidney was 5. Their perspective is quite apparent. All in all, if you read this book, you MUST also read Sidney’s life story. (Shadows on the Koyukuk). Sidney details things of his (their) childood and The Life in Alaska that Jimmy never touches upon. The two books complement each other.
Mr. K –
Enjoyable Book Bridging Alaska’s Past to Near-Present
This is a good story about Rural Alaska during the 1900’s. The author/subject was an influential Alaskan from humble beginnings. Good read for anyone interested in what Rural Alaska is really like. Brother Sidney’s book Shadows on the Koyukuk is a bit more robust, and a good companion to this book.
lonesome_day01 –
enjoyable read
i enjoyed this book…but his brothers book was much more enjoyable
weare4 –
Great Story!
I think James’ brother Sidney probablly has better memories of thier early days. Probably because He was a couple years older. I think it is a little disapointing that thier ages were changed in this book (as Sidney shows in his book, Shadows On The Koyukuk) just to make thier story more believable. You really have to read both books. Sydney does a better job of relating thier boyhood days, But I think James had more adventures in his grown up life. His very first time going to Fairbanks is absolutely hilarious! These are both great stories. Young people today need more practical education like thse guys had. Kids today don,t know how to do practical things to solve problems today. They’re just taught to go to school make lots of money and pay for everything to be done for you! They can’t build their own boat or fix thier own engines, build thier own house, and they certainly would’nt survive on thier own On The Edge Of Nowhere!
Loenchen1972 –
Ein unglaublich aussagekräftiges Buch über das Leben in und mit der Natur, welches zeigt dass die besten Geschichten immer noch das Leben selber schreibt. Berührend von der ersten bis zur letzten Seite. Man bekommt ein Gespür dafür, wie wichtig es gerade in der heutigen Zeit ist, diese Vielfalt der Natur zu erhalten und somit den Menschen dort weiterhin ein selbstbestimmtes und unabhängiges Leben zu ermöglichen.
Danny Harvieux –
Keep me interested
Amazon Customer –
Another good read, amazing how people can overcome tragedy at such a young age. What a life!
Suzanne –
Love stories of the north
Dustin –
Good book