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Shadows on the Koyukuk: An Alaskan Native's Life Along the River
This book is more than one man's incredible tale of hardship and success in Alaska. It is also a tribute to the Athapaskan traditions and spiritual beliefs that enable him and his ancestors to survive. His story, simply told, is a testament to the durability of Alaska's wildlands and to the strength of the people who inhabit them.
235 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 1993
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
January 16, 2012
This is not the best written book, but buckle your seat belt, this true story is a heck of a ride. Sidney Huntington is a native Alaskan. Born in the early 20th century, he has seen the tremendous changes of modernization from the standpoint of a subsistance living aboriginal. The story of his life not only rivals the arduousness of Jack London's most bitter wilderness survival tales but also hits the peaks of business innovation more commonly pictured in the lower 48. This account is also a revealing window into the mind of men. While his world is inhabited by numerous friends and relatives the focus of Sidney's thoughts often falls back to the details of his actions. Whether it is clearing pathways, trapping fur animals, or whipsawing trees, one gets the sense that he could expound at even greater length about the benefits of one tool over another, or the best way to lay a snare or corner a bear, but he is less clear, and less comfortable with the interior workings of the people around him, including perhaps himself. A pioneer in every sense, Sidney Huntington is fascinating character who has lived through enough trials to fill a 100 lifetimes. This is a worthy read, if for no other reason than the perspective it gives to your own life. Recommended.
November 16, 2009
Having lived in Alaska for more than three years -- Interior Alaska no less -- I was embarrassed to have not read this book. Sydney Huntington is famous here, a self-made man and now elder committed to his people (Athabaskan Indians, although he is half-white) and to preserving at least some of the subsistence lifestyle, while also championing education. His fame comes only in part from his having authored, with Jim Reardon, a classic memoir of growing up in the bush amid hardship that's hard to imagine.
I was even more embarrassed this summer when I passed through Galena during a long canoe trip and had the chance to meet Sydney, and still had not read his book. My paddling partner and I read sections at campfires along the river -- a fitting way to read it -- but had made little progress. Sydney was sitting on his porch making an ulu when we met him. I can't remember how it was we knew it was him, but towns are small. Maybe there was a sign on his house. We chatted with Sydney, now hard of hearing and a bit hard to follow, and he signed our book. "To Stefan and Jesse. It is about a way of life we will never see again, was good but real hard way of life at times. It's Alaska our Last Frontier."
Was good but hard at times. Having finally finished the memoir, this seems like a pretty good summary, as well as a taste of Sydney's telling/writing style. He's not afraid to share personal details, even some failings (a real problem with booze, for instance), but he also sums up whole years or parts of his life with simple sentences. I worked hard and got good grades, he writes of his schooling.
Sydney, maybe more than any other Alaska Native, writes smartly about Native culture in modern times. And he lives it. "I have a plastic eye, false teeth, two hearing aids, and three bypasses to my heart," he writes. "I call myself the modern plastic man. But, modern or not, about seventy-five percent of the food we live on still comes from the wildlands along the Yukon and Koyukuk Rivers."
His book is well worth the read for anyone with an inkling of interest in Alaska or subsistence living.
I was even more embarrassed this summer when I passed through Galena during a long canoe trip and had the chance to meet Sydney, and still had not read his book. My paddling partner and I read sections at campfires along the river -- a fitting way to read it -- but had made little progress. Sydney was sitting on his porch making an ulu when we met him. I can't remember how it was we knew it was him, but towns are small. Maybe there was a sign on his house. We chatted with Sydney, now hard of hearing and a bit hard to follow, and he signed our book. "To Stefan and Jesse. It is about a way of life we will never see again, was good but real hard way of life at times. It's Alaska our Last Frontier."
Was good but hard at times. Having finally finished the memoir, this seems like a pretty good summary, as well as a taste of Sydney's telling/writing style. He's not afraid to share personal details, even some failings (a real problem with booze, for instance), but he also sums up whole years or parts of his life with simple sentences. I worked hard and got good grades, he writes of his schooling.
Sydney, maybe more than any other Alaska Native, writes smartly about Native culture in modern times. And he lives it. "I have a plastic eye, false teeth, two hearing aids, and three bypasses to my heart," he writes. "I call myself the modern plastic man. But, modern or not, about seventy-five percent of the food we live on still comes from the wildlands along the Yukon and Koyukuk Rivers."
His book is well worth the read for anyone with an inkling of interest in Alaska or subsistence living.
June 14, 2017
I really enjoyed this memoir by Sidney Huntington, born in rural Alaska in 1915 to a Koyukon mother and white Klondike gold rusher father. In it, he shares one amazing story after another about living off the land in a very harsh climate. He lived his life with one foot firmly planted in the past, steeped in traditional native ways and tribal stories, and another in what we would recognize as today's Alaska, with most people operating within a global, cash economy.
At the end of the book, Huntington reflects
On a side note, I found Huntington's ideas about America's Thanksgiving origin story of great interest:
If you are traveling in Alaska, I can think of no better book to carry with you than this one.
At the end of the book, Huntington reflects
...for rural Alaskans, education isn't just book-learning. It is also knowing how to build a boat, a fish wheel, a log cabin, or how to set a trap or a snare. It is knowing how to build a fire, how to dress for the cold, how to find your way in the woods. Bush education is my Aunt Josie's skill in removing beaver from a lodge. It is knowing how to be frugal with supplies, and how to care for equipment. It is knowing how to dress a moose or a salmon, how to repair a snow machine or an outboard motor, how to shoot a gun." (210)The book is a sometimes flabbergasting account of "bush education" and I enjoyed every moment of it. How inspirational to know that there are people who know when a breakup flood is likely and how to avoid it, how to build a boat by hand after cutting your own lumber from the forest, how to live well out of doors at -60F and above (and to stay indoors when it's colder still!), and how to harvest a moose.
On a side note, I found Huntington's ideas about America's Thanksgiving origin story of great interest:
I believe the American Thanksgiving evolved directly from the potlatch, or a similar East Coast Indian ceremony. According to the standard version of how Thanksgiving began, the Pilgrims feasted to give thanks for the bounty of their new land. But I have a theory.
Many Pilgrims died during their first winter in the New World. During the following spring, summer, and fall, I presume, the Indians taught the Pilgrims how to grow corn and harvest wild game to prepare themselves for winter. My guess is that the Indians became concerned because the Pilgrims had not honored those who had died the previous winter, and without a ceremonial feast, the dead had not been shown proper respect. I think the Indians convinced the Pilgrims to make a potlatch, as we say. The Pilgrims probably considered this superstitious nonsense, so instead of calling it a potlatch, they covered their tracks by calling it Thanksgiving. (74)
If you are traveling in Alaska, I can think of no better book to carry with you than this one.
May 2, 2013
Sidney Huntington's remarkable life growing up in the 1900s (born 1915) had me riveted from the beginning. His stories of making a life, not just surviving, but making life in a place we would call wilderness are deeply engaging. He tells his stories humbly and carefully so as not to make himself into some sort of iconic figure. To him, living and learning the ways of his Koyukukan mother and how to work and trade from his white father were, for him, naturally conducive to caring about creation. Surviving storms, cold to -70 degrees, floods, changes in animal populations that supported them, education in a mission school, rearing 17 children, learning new skills to support his family, alcoholism, and finally, living long enough to receive an honorary doctorate from the UofA for his knowledge and work in conservation, all this and so much more make him a fascinating heroic man.
November 5, 2012
I am not a cold weather person. I have no desire to visit Alaska. I was given this book to read because I like true stories about people over coming obstacles. At first Sidney had so many obstacles, I had a hard time reading this. However, as he recounts his time living the trapline life I felt drawn to the story. It was amazing reading how people survived in a climate that seemed hostile, yet beautiful. I have to admit a new appreciation for the area thanks to this book.
April 12, 2014
Fascinating story of Huntington's life, mostly spend in the Koyukuk and Yukon River areas. This book is an interesting mix of cultural history of the Koyukon natives, survival stories in the most frigid and remote of locations, family memories and observations about the fish and wildlife of the Alaskan Interior and river areas.
September 9, 2023
When you learn that he lived to be 100, you’ll also be surprised he made it through so much. One of the best stories of aboriginal life and modern survival. Reading it while in interior Alaska brought it to life.
August 6, 2016
This is hands down my favorite piece of Alaskana. When reading it I can just hear Sidney Huntington himself telling me the stories as we are huddled in a cabin over a small wood stove. I was actually fortunate enough to meet one of his sons while I lived in Fairbanks and told him to tell his father that this book pulled me through my first winter in Fairbanks.
This story gives an excellent perspective of how life in interior Alaska changed over the past century. It also shares a very personal and honest narrative of Sidney Huntington's own remarkable life. After reading this book my love of Alaska made much more sense, it is the intensity of a place like the Koyukuk that draws people to it.
This story gives an excellent perspective of how life in interior Alaska changed over the past century. It also shares a very personal and honest narrative of Sidney Huntington's own remarkable life. After reading this book my love of Alaska made much more sense, it is the intensity of a place like the Koyukuk that draws people to it.
January 12, 2016
I don't often read non-fiction but I am sure glad I decided to try out more this year. My girlfriend handed it to me when I asked for a non-fiction rec and I suspect now it is because this often reads like a Jack London adventure story. Sidney is beyond likeable and manages to tell stories that seem impossible in a way that leaves no doubt in the readers mind that it happened. He meanders often, includes a lot of highly specific details that are not very relevant. It is exactly like listening to my grandfather tell stories about "the old days."
As a last note, before I read this I thought people who chose to live in Alaska were crazy. After I read this I am even more sure of that fact.
As a last note, before I read this I thought people who chose to live in Alaska were crazy. After I read this I am even more sure of that fact.
December 28, 2015
One of the most interesting books I have read. It was recommended by Stan Zuray of Yukon Men.
It is of the life of Sidney Huntington as told to Jim Rearden. "It is an Alaska Native's Life Along the River"
Sidney Huntington gives you a look at Native Alaskans lives from back in the 1800's up through the late 1990's. He tells you about his life and the life of his people. He gives you a look at their lives before
automobiles and snow machines came to the Alaskans. How they provided food, shelter and clothing from the wilderness. You hear of sadness, hard ship and joy, but no bitterness and success.
The story of Sidney Huntington's life is amazing.
It is of the life of Sidney Huntington as told to Jim Rearden. "It is an Alaska Native's Life Along the River"
Sidney Huntington gives you a look at Native Alaskans lives from back in the 1800's up through the late 1990's. He tells you about his life and the life of his people. He gives you a look at their lives before
automobiles and snow machines came to the Alaskans. How they provided food, shelter and clothing from the wilderness. You hear of sadness, hard ship and joy, but no bitterness and success.
The story of Sidney Huntington's life is amazing.
April 24, 2008
This has got to be my favorite book about Interior Alaska. I ate this book up in 2 days, totally engrossed in Huntington's long life, full of incredible stories that rival the most creative adventure-fiction. There are wonderful observations of nature, insightful narratives of the changes experienced thru Huntington's 90+ years. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants an emotional rollercoaster and some inspirational triumphs of hardship. This is the Alaskan story that Sean Penn SHOULD have filmed!
October 8, 2008
I really liked this book because it was written by the person who lived the story. It had great accounts of Alaskan life, much different than I expected. I really loved the story, there was a little disappointment at the end of the book when I found out he wasn't the "perfect" man he appeared to be most of the way through the book but I'd still recommend it as great reading if you like real-life adventures.
April 14, 2013
This is one of those books that I never want to let go. I read this in about 2001 or 2002 after buying it in Alaska. It is an absolute amazing book. Men will definitely want to read it but women should enjoy it too. My husband, sons, male friends have all read it on loan. It's an amazing story of surviving in Alaska. Sidney Huntington was born in 1915 and was still alive a few years ago. Not sure now. He later became an active environmentalist in Alaska. This one is a treasure.
August 10, 2008
I learned SO much about traditional Native ways! So interesting to compare/contrast the Interior and river lifestyles to what I know about coastal communities. The respect of Huntington speaks for itself. Doesn't hurt that I met him and have an autographed copy! Brilliant depictions of one aspect of Alaska's very important ways.
July 10, 2014
I never finished this one. It was a fascinating peek into Native American life in Alaska in the early 1900s. It didn't have a driving storyline, though, since it was more of an autobiography, so it was easy for me to put down and not pick back up again. Whatever I did read, though, was interesting and memorable.
April 18, 2018
I grew up in Anchorage, AK and this book completely changed the way I think about Alaska and how much it has changed in the last ~100 years. I gave a copy of it to a friend who loves Alaska and dreams of "going off the grid", and she absolutely loved it as well (although I think she might now realize the sheer toughness of that lifestyle). Happy to keep this one on my shelf.
September 22, 2008
I really liked this book. It is like reading about the pioneers, but in our time, not 100 years ago. It is about his life and the joys and sorrows that are part of it. A+
September 3, 2011
Not exactly a book I couldn't put down, but fascinating just the same, because the amazing stories are true. I have an interest in Alaska, so it was right down my alley. I also know someone who knows the author.
August 16, 2016
A neighbor gave me this book a couple of years ago, but I just discovered it in a TBR pile and pulled it out. What an amazing account of an amazing man. It is a tale of perseverance and pride in your heritage. Well worth looking this one up and giving it a read.
January 21, 2008
THIS BOOK IS AWESOME!!!!!! A look back into time at Alaska back in the day... it's very captivating and action filled, I couldn't put it down. A must read!
October 17, 2008
Fascinating!!!
September 20, 2008
This book is one of my favorites. A true adventure story about Native Alaskan life in Interior Alaska.
October 20, 2008
It's more of a history book than a novel. Sometimes it gets really old-man-rambling-ish, but it's really interesting about growing up in Alaska.
May 17, 2009
Fabulous
February 24, 2012
Wanted to know so much more after finishing. The stories of his childhood will haunt me forever. On one hand brutally tragic, on the other ... enviable.
June 9, 2010
LOVED this book!!! What a classic about native life in beautiful Alaska long ago with dog sleds etc. (for everyone but men will esp love this one. Give it an A)
August 10, 2010
Really fascinating book in terms of history, details, and practical information about the Athabascan/bush/subsistence lifestyle. However, it wasn't a particularly engaging book -- slow at times.
July 26, 2010
Big eye opener as to the life of early Alaskans.
March 12, 2019
Fantastic book, Sidney still repaired his nets and fishedduring the salmon runs at 94 years of age! The man is an Alaskan treasure and this book is one of the reasons why.
May 18, 2011
Good read. It's amazing how resilient the old time Alaskans were!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews