Not Really an Alaskan Mountain Man

by Doug Fine

Now here's a formula for near disaster: East Coast big-city guy, world-traveler, jounalist, and otherwise politically savvy fellow settles down in rural Alaska, where men are many and manly, and women with survival skills are good to count among your friends. He wants to fit in.

But how does one learn to be a Mountain Man? By observing, imitating, and making near-fatal mistakes, that's how. The choices a boy has to make. Eat processed food or on-the-hoof food, learn to operate a chainsaw or freeze to death, figure out what a bunny boot is or lose a few toes, and by the way, which end of he barrel points up? This is the story of Doug's first difficult winter in a one-room cabin, trying to stay alive and come out of it with some semblance of Alaska cool.

With side-splitting, self-depreciating humor, Doug shares his attempts to elevate himself past his perpetual state of greenhorn-ness by aligning himself with tough sourdoughs to someday claim the title of manly Mountain Man. 

Genres: Nonfiction, Travel

224 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2004

About the author

After graduating from Stanford, Doug Fine strapped on a backpack and traveled to five continents, reporting from remote perches in Burma, Rwanda, Laos, Guatemala and Tajikistan. He is a correspondent for NPR and PRI. His work has appeared in the Washington Post, Wired, Salon, US News and World Report, Christian Science Monitor, and Outside Magazine. A native of Long Island, Fine now lives in an obscure valley in Southern New Mexico alongside many goats and a few coyotes.

Reviews

[Linda]

DNF

[Laurie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a gift. It is a bit of a light read, and there were times I could not believe what this guy did. He was definately an urbanite trying to live the rural life. But, for all the dumb things he did I give him credit for trying. If you want a light read and a few chuckles try this one.

[Ray · Rating 1 out of 5]

Terrible book. I was forcing myself to read it . Finally gave up about halfway through. It goes on forever like a dribbling sink. The author could have said all he wanted to say in a couple of pages, never mind a book. Thankfully I bought it used and didn’t feel guilty using it as a fire starter in my wood stove. Worked almost as good as birch bark. No zero - so I will give it a undeserving one.

[Josie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall I enjoyed this book with its bits of humor and glimpse of Alaskan life from an outsider's point of view, but from time to time I found myself wondering, "Is he really this stupid, or is he just going that far to try to amuse us?" I lean towards the later, but I don't know.

[Alyssa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second of Doug's books I've read and while I appreciate what he's doing & trying to convey, I find him repetitive. If he said Cheechako one more time.....

[Shane · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing but sporadically humorous - I thought it should be shorter and punchier.

[John Shedd · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable and humorous reading. Admire the adventurous spirit and enjoyed the interactions with the locals.

[Carole · Rating 3 out of 5]

funny,interesting to me because I've always wanted to live in a cabin in Homer Alaska- too rugged for me

[Josh Friers · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was not a fan. The author in my mind was a helpless mooch.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm just on the third chapter of this. I find myself laughing and grinning over his tale of learning How To Do Things in his first year living in Alaska. So far, so good. Great read unless you're expecting a thrills and chills book. Nicely paced for relaxation and enjoyment.

... I have now finished this book. It was a great read although the epilogue was a little less jovial. I'd suggest this book for relaxation and good humor. no stress, violence or any of that nasty stuff! ;-)

[desertmolly · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not what I expected..wasn't prepared for Fine's attempt at humor. The concept is interesting - NYcity guy moves to the Alaskan hinterlands and does a City Slicker take with what little he knows about roughing it in the great outdoors. All this told in a chuckling manner, but in the end the only one laughing at his jokes must be Doug himself..

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting look at what it means to suddenly become a transplant in a small Alaskan town. Wont lie, found his near death experiences and blunders to be the most interesting. Doug did a humorous as well as detailed job at conveying the quirks of small town Alaskan life and the stark differences of life as an Alaskan from life as a lower 48er.

[Bayneeta · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rookie moves to Alaska and survives his first year. Read this cuz I liked Farewell my Subaru so very much, and the subject was interesting to me. He wrote this one first and obviously his writing has improved.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slightly biased as it was written by a friend, but I found Doug's writing to be witty and entertaining. Doug takes alternate realities and makes them his true reality, and then writes about his misadventures. Very enjoyable. I'm really looking forward to his new book, Too High to Fail.

[Fran Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author moves from a big east coast city to a small town in Alaska. It's the story of an east coast man who wants to become a mountain man or die trying. He doesn't die but he certainly has some interesting experiences. It's a good book.

[Donna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some chapters were wildly funny, but most just ok.

[Kristy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn't finish. Enjoyed his other book about farming in NM better.

[Judy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this story to be slow and plodding to start but it picked up along the way.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have dcided I really like auto- and biographies.