Go North.... or South - whichever you prefer, really I don't care

Since I missed yesterday's biography book I'll include it with today's general travel writings...




Winterdance by Gary Paulsen

Paulsen is generally a writer of children's books, some of which have garnered high praise and awards.... but alas this is not a kiddie book. Technically it isn't a biography, per se, but an adventure narrative that happens to be true and about himself. So that autobiographical tidbit qualifies it as a biography in my book.... and perhaps in his. The book covers Paulsen's humorous and touching preparation for the Iditarod; from soup to nuts - or in this case from near death to psychotic dogs. Being the proud "Food Guy"(owner is a bit too strong here - note the profile pic in which the dog is looking at me like a fine medium rare steak) of a Siberian Husky I could identify with many of the funnier points of sleddog "ownership" although the reality of racing over 1500 miles of near trackless wilderness behind half-mad dogs isn't my, or my dog's (I'm sure - the only thing she's that hard core about is sleeping), idea of a good time.

One particularly funny story involved his team of dogs taking off before he was really ready... and dragging him with temporarily unlit matches in his front pockets... hilarity and screaming ensued. The touching part comes toward the end of the book, and for people who have dogs be warned - it can be a bit rough.

Rating: A-

In Patagonia by Bruce Chatwin
Travel writing, like the previous entry above, is often a biographical tale of adventure and feats of daring. Even works that purport to retell adventure travels of the past are often just as much about the author doing a bit of adventure traveling themselves (Chasing Che comes to mind). Chatwin's fascination with Patagonia stems from a family member's long lost gift of a pound of prehistoric flesh from southern Chile (weekly requisite Shakespearean reference: check). Like that somewhat aprochryphal and bizarre gift the book holds the mysteries of Patagonia at arms reach, tantalizingly close but still unreachable. The author delves into the history of the region with relish and for the most part that adds to the charm of the narrative. Sometimes though the read is a bit too dry. I doubt I would make it through this book now, although I still highly recommend it. I read it when I was doing some work in Argentina and it seemed apropos at the time. Now I'm not sure I would be motivated to learn as much; a condition that is more my problem than the books'.

Rating B-
Related:
Chasing Che - Patrick Symmes
Jupiter's Travels - Ted Simon