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Andre Jute
IDITAROD a novel of The Greatest Race on Earthby André Jute
$2.99 Kindle Edition. Also in paperback $9.99.
Genre: Action & Adventure
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/IDITAROD-nove...
Marchez! -- A race for survival
When Rhodes Delaney challenged James Alderston Whitbury III to a grudge match she chose the most grueling of all tests -- the Iditarod: a lethal dogsled race across the perilous wastelands of barren Alaska.
Through life-sapping storms, howling blizzards, and deadly sub-zero temperatures, the racers must struggle over treacherous mountain passes where the sun's rays never reach, cross frozen rivers risking the icy torrents below, and pass enraged bull moose, ravenous bears -- and the world's largest, hungriest wolf pack.
In Iditarod, André Jute puts the reader's feet on the ice and on the runners for twelve hundred hazardous miles of the last great race across the last dangerous frontier as the exhausted bodies and hallucinating minds of the contestants battle towards the moment of truth -- when Man and Nature exact the ultimate reckoning from each other.
Iditarod is at once a love story, a great adventure, and a brilliant word portrait of the world's most spectacular and least-known land.
First published in the UK by Grafton Books 1990, Iditarod is fully revised for this 20th anniversary 2010 edition by CoolMain Press.
Now with a map of the race especially drawn to work with e-book tablets.
Check the Value Added Pages for this book for a huge amount more information, even a way to go racing in the Iditarod without the risk: http://coolmainpress.com/iditarod1.html
STIEG LARSSON Man, Myth & Mistressby Andre Jute & Andrew McCoy
$2.99 Kindle Edition. Also in paperback $2.99.
Genre: Nonfiction — Literary biography
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004GXAZAM
Stieg Larsson
Man, Myth & Mistress
who created the Millennium Trilogy of
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
The Girl Who Played with Fire
The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets' Nest
Is Lisbeth Salander a feminist - or a comic book avenger? Is her creator Stieg Larsson a feminist - or a prurient, violent hack? What is the Millennium Trilogy really about? Is it literature or vicarious violence and sex? Should Eva Gabrielsson be in charge of the Girl franchise? Should there be a second Salander Trilogy? Who built the Stieg Larsson myth, and is any of it true?
Best selling authors André Jute and Andrew McCoy wittily investigate the evidence - and arrive at the correct politically incorrect answers. They fix the blame for the Larsson scandal on - surprising people. Some Millennium fans will riot, most will be riotously entertained.
‘Jute is great - a private godsend.'
Ruth Rendell, The Times
The apartheid regime in South Africa twice sent assassins after Andrew McCoy, claiming his novel The Insurrectionist was a ‘blueprint for black revolution' and a ‘handbook for the ANC'.
Like Larsson, André Jute has been a journalist and graphic designer. His novel Reverse Negative led to the exposure of the spy in the Queen's household, Anthony Blunt. He is an acclaimed expert on the thriller, his Writing a Thriller going into three ever-expanding editions over 25 years.
More information at http://coolmainpress.com/larsson1.html
Besides posting in this thread, here are some places to find me/read me/chat to me:Website: http://coolmainpress.com/andrejute.html
Blog: http://coolmainpress.com/ajwriting/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/André-J...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/kissinblarney
Goodreads group ROBUST: http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/4...
Publisher: http://coolmainpress.com
Wow.Many, many links.
Overwhelming!
A separate page per book can get to be a pain to maintain. I'll split the books later if anyone has difficulty navigating.
Phew - quite a lot of choice here! Thanks.
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I don't want to rain on anyone's parade, but I seem to recall that the public exposure of Anthony Blunt as a member of the Cambridge Five (he had confessed his involvement to MI5 in 1964, although it is thought that his role as an NKVD agent was known soon after the war) occurred in 1979 after the publication of Andrew Boyle's book The Climate of Treason. It was Blunt's attempt to stop publication, even though he was not named (Boyle used the name Maurice to represent Blunt) that led to more public exposure. Subsequent speculation in the press, particularly in Private Eye led to Mrs Thatcher revealing Blunt's role as an NKVD agent in Parliament.I remember the controversy very well, but I do not recall Andre Jute's book being mentioned. Sorry.
You should read what I wrote, Tim: "His novel Reverse Negative led to the exposure of the spy in the Queen's household, Anthony Blunt." The British government had my manuscript confiscated by their associates in Australia, ASIO, and tried to intimidate my London publishers. I was later told that they decided that, if I could put Blunt's treachery together sitting in the State Library in Adelaide, it was past time to come clean, and that when I signed a publication contract with W W Norton in New York, beyond the reach of Special Branch thugs, the bell was tolling. This happened before Mrs Thatcher came to power. By the time she arrived in Number Ten, I imagine (I don't know and I'm not in your class as a wild guesser) policy was decided not to attempt to suppress Boyle's book.This has nothing to do with you being "wrong", but with your assumption that there was only one significant event, and that only what you remember is true.
Andre, thank you for directing Andrew to our group.I feel that both of you add much value to our band of lunatics, both as authors and personally.
My pleasure, Patti. Thanks for the kind words. The atmosphere here is a vast improvement over the Other Place. In a while I'll bring along one of my protege, whose new ten-book series will be big this Christmas. She's looking for a friendly place to settle in virtual British space (Australians, Canadians and South Africans also accepted, heh-heh!).
Another superb review for IDITAROD a novel of The Greatest Race on Earth by Andre Jute
What can I say? This book is an immense story. My finger nails are no more.
The Iditarod is a race across the Alaskan countryside of well over a thousand miles. Easy you may think, but it's a dog sled ride in temperatures of minus stupid and winds of way past gale force with snow getting everywhere you don't want snow. This is no winter wonderland.
Andre describes this utter whiteness so well you can feel you are there. Also the loneliness of the competitors makes you want to go hug the nearest person (not if you are reading it on public transport )
The way the side story of the wolves is written made me think of David Attenborough doing the narration. There was a definite shift in the writing that made you realise that this is a seperate part of the story and built it up to the climax of the finale.
I believe most of this story is true, just the two main characters with their "sub-race" is the fictional part.
I really enjoyed reading this review and interview with Andre http://cookiesbookclub.blogspot.com/2... It shows just how much research Andre undertook for this book.
I can really imagine this as a film. But in a made-for-TV movie kind of way If it was a blockbuster it would be all about the stars, but on "Real Stories TV", the dogs and the landscape would be the bigger stars.
-- joo
-- Official KUF eBook Reviewer
-- http://www.kuforum.co.uk/kindleusersf...
All ebook formats $2.99. 324p trade paperback $9.99
It's the weekend, so bugger work!Procrastination 101
Restful photographs of me, my heron and my swan, fishing on the river below my house. Also a recipe for tasty fish cakes with crusted baked tomato.
http://coolmainpress.com/ajwriting/ar...
Yummmmmm - thai fish cakes!!
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That's a great blog, Andre!
Great review Andre.Will download a copy tonight and save it for the first snowfall here.lol.What type of books does your friend write?
Philip (sarah) wrote: "Great review Andre.Will download a copy tonight and save it for the first snowfall here.lol.What type of books does your friend write?"
Thanks for buying the book. That review is by "Joo", whose avatar is an excellent photo of a happy hedgehog. I don't even know Joo's gender, but he/she/it is a rugby fan, and lives in Wales. I imagine Joo is a member of this forum as well.
IDITAROD a novel of The Greatest Race on Earth was never a big favourite with my publishers, who liked me to spend my time on "big, international novels", but it elicits the most amazing, heartfelt responses and loyalty from readers. It really speaks to people. I just hang on for the ride and pretend to know why...
Read Iditarod by mid-February, then come join the party for a virtual outing to the Iditarod Sled Dog Race which starts on the first Saturday in March. More info on the value added page for Iditarod at http://coolmainpress.com/iditarod1012...
It's on my TBR list. Hopefully I'll read it before the snow melts!
Where the Iditarod starts for commercial reasons, in the Alaskan capital of Anchorage, by March there is already often a concern about snow, so the real race starts at Eagle River, where there is usually still snow.But here's some amazing trivia for you. Nearly in Nome, 1049 miles away, close by the Arctic Circle, the Kaltag Portage is a series of stone steps, and it is a portage, where sled and loads have to be carried, because the snow melts and the dangerous rocks show through. I was reminded of that last year by a racer less than hour after she scratched from the race to protect her dogs.
No other major race in the world gives rubberneckers such immediate access to the athletes... Whatever else you do, if you like dogs and races and excitement, don't miss the party next year from the first Saturday in March. Bookmark the meeting place http://www.facebook.com/pages/Iditaro... or LIKE it so you get automatic reminders. I get all excited just thinking about it.
Amazon now publishes on the book's page a selection of the phrases from it which readers highlighted. This is clearly what readers consider important. Here are two phrases most commonly highlighted by readers of STIEG LARSSON Man, Myth & Mistress...an intellectual should count his enemies with pride as the measure of his righteousness, and if he finds none backtrack to when he sold out...
...entirely independent of what their self-appointed betters though they should be reading, deciding for themselves on the large samples from books...
The first is an authorial opinion on independence of mind, the second refers to the readers' own Kindle experience.
Hi AndreI lurk around here too. I haven't got the hang of the free flowness of it yet.
I'll put you out of your misery, I'm a laydee :D
I have 3 young hogs feeding in my garden lately. Not sure they are big enough for winter, yet. I'll have to grab them to weigh them.
Hey, Joo. Lot more giggles here than at the Zon.
Joo wrote: "Hi Andre
I lurk around here too. I haven't got the hang of the free flowness of it yet.
I'll put you out of your misery, I'm a laydee :D
I have 3 young hogs feeding in my garden lately. Not su..."
I've just realised that I recognise you from kuforum, Joo(it's the hedgehog that did it!) Thanks for your kind messages over there!
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I lurk around here too. I haven't got the hang of the free flowness of it yet.
I'll put you out of your misery, I'm a laydee :D
I have 3 young hogs feeding in my garden lately. Not su..."
I've just realised that I recognise you from kuforum, Joo(it's the hedgehog that did it!) Thanks for your kind messages over there!
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And Andre, I've only been to the 'zoo about three times in my life. It's far too scary.
What I want to know is, how do you "grab" a hedgehog? Mine is alone, so I thought I'd bring a mate home for it from the countryside. Transport isn't a problem; we have plenty of cat boxes, and they'll be dark enough inside if placed in a cardboard box or with a cloth thrown over it.The other problem is sexing a hedgehog once you've found a way of handling it...
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This reminds me of Stephen King's anecdote of moving into a small Maine town, sitting on his porch, and asking a passing doctor, who already suspected him of being a bohemian and worse, "How do you strangle a cat?"
erm, caerfully :)I stick a pair of gloves on (on me not them) and tuck my fingers under it's belly then trying not to jump as they curl and spike you. Some will curl right up, some just a little.
Obviously I don't do this all the time. Just if I think they need to be rescued and passed on to a carer to look after for the winter.
This might help you http://www.hedgehog-rescue.org.uk/sex...
Mind you, I don't know how you'd find one in the countryside. I have an infrared camera with food in front of it so I can easily spot my hogs.
Pyrex, huh? (I'm starting to understand why Simon thinks we're frightening off new members!)Finding a hedgehog in the countryside isn't too hard for a cyclist. You see a dead hedgehog on a lane, the burrow isn't far from there. But we probably have hedgehogs, plural, in the orchard back of the stables, or the gully beyond, because ours must have come from somewhere, and arrived as an adult.
Infrared is a good idea. I have infrared lights in the loft somewhere.
Ours hasn't been picked up at all but is quite tame around feet.
For those who haven't yet seen my hedgehog, there's a photograph of it in an article about ingrate Borzoi here:http://coolmainpress.com/ajwriting/ar...
and a description of its menu here from message 14 onwards:
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/5...
Awww he's just too cute.. would have called him Piggy though, what's with hoarding the dish by climbing in it? Is that a hedgehog habit?
He's Ratty 'cos he looks like a rat.I put seeds and dried fruit and stuff out on bird groundfeeders. The hog will come along, stick his nose in, then one foot, then the other front foot, then the two back legs, then he can really get scoffing. Perhaps it's easier for them as they are used to eating bugs that they are standing over.
Oh I see ! I love this place, learning so many things !
Oh lol... now I'm probably sounding like I'm totally ignorant !
From a superb new review of IDITAROD a novel of The Greatest Race on Earth by the Katie W. Stewart (author of some pretty interesting books herself):"Even when Rhodes and James were fighting the worst Alaska could muster, I was in awe of the spectacular beauty of the place so clearly described. It was not hard to understand why people would pit themselves against the place in such a dangerous way." — Katie W. Stewart
http://kates-scribbles.blogspot.com/2...
The wolves of the tundra: how I used the geography, flora and fauna of Alaska as a character in my prize-winning novel IDITAROD a novel of The Greatest Race on Earth. Article written on hand of the 5-star review of IDITAROD by Katie W. Stewart."On the 'character' of the landscape: avoiding the pathetic fallacy" on my blog Kissing the Blarney:
http://coolmainpress.com/ajwriting/ar...
Readers may read this out of interest. Writers should read it because it touches on some very useful if challenging craft tools.
20 December 2011YAY! Made it! Today STIEG LARSSON Man, Myth & Mistress also celebrates one year full year at the top of the bestseller lists. (The other book I launched before Christmas 2010, IDITAROD, already made it to a full year at the top of the bestseller lists on 16 December. Congratulations to IDITAROD too.)
Here's the Birthday Book!
USA
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #13,034 Paid in Kindle Store
#3 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Fiction > World Literature > Scandinavian
#4 in Books > Literature & Fiction > World Literature > Scandinavian
#35 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Nonfiction > Literary Criticism & Theory
UK
Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #2,747 Paid in Kindle Store
#9 in Kindle Store > Books > Nonfiction > Literary Criticism & Theory
#10 in Books > Crime, Thrillers & Mystery > Technothrillers
#10 in Kindle Store > Books > Fiction > Crime, Thrillers & Mystery > Thrillers > Technothrillers
And very popular in Germany!
Amazon Bestseller-Rang: DE
Nr. 2 in Kindle-Shop > eBooks > Fremdsprachige eBooks > Englisch > Belletristik > Weltliteratur > Skandinavien
Nr. 50 in Englische Bücher > Belletristik > Weltliteratur > Skandinavien
Nr. 71 in Kindle-Shop > eBooks > Fremdsprachige eBooks > Englisch > Belletristik > Geschichte & Kritik > Europäisch
Thanks for reading, and putting the book up there.
KEEP IT DIGNIFIED, FOLKS. NO SMASHING OF CHAMPABGNE GLASSES IN THE FIREPLACE!
Not bad for entertaining literary criticism, eh?
Still only £2.14 for the ebook, £4.99 for the paperback.
Thanks, Karen. Makes one wonder whether there isn't a market for amusing literary criticism, doesn't it? Or whether, perhaps, Andrew and I lucked out with our subject matter, not to mention our controversial treatment of a writer who's become an icon to many new readers.
No smashing of glasses, Andre? But, but, but....that's our group 'thing'!
Congratulations Andre and here's to next year!
Thanks, Patti. But one doesn't want to be greedy. A year on top of the bestseller lists -- per category per book of course -- should be enough for any writer.
How can I ever live up to this review? Cookie's Book Club: Review of STIEG LARSSON Man, Myth & Mistress by Matt Posner. http://cookiesbookclub.blogspot.com/2...
Thank you for a review, Matt, that is clearly written from thought and conviction. Thank you for initiating it and hosting the review so attractively, Sue.
I'm overcome. You'll excuse me if I go read my review in a quiet corner... Next time you see my I'll probably know it off by heart!
I think I speak for Andrew as well; he's already tweeted my note about it forward, so he clearly approves of my sentiments.
If you haven't bought a copy of IDITAROD a novel of The Greatest Race on Earth yet (why not?), there's a giveaway at Cookie's Book Club http://cookiesbookclub.blogspot.com/2... with a guest post from me on Reginald Hill's creations Dalziel & Pascoe, who on this forum need no further introduction.
"I read this one at the pace set by the story, fast and furious."says Karen, giving 4 stars out of 5 right here on Goodreads at
Iditarod. "Make sure your hands and feet are inside the sleigh, and your seat belt is fastened cause you're in for a wild ride."
Yes, Mam!
A thriller and a mega-adventure in the wilds of Alaskaby Dr Benjamin Pittman
5 stars out of 5
Quote:
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André Jute certainly wastes no time in setting a scene and getting into the action in this one!
The psychology is intense, searing.
Jute's writing is intense, crisply good and intelligent with beautiful imagery, almost painterly, befitting the landscape and blessed with wonderful turns of phrase. Intelligence and brain power - you just gotta luv it whenever they meet head-on with brawn.
And Jute certainly knows how to build suspense as one can sense the fear of a whiteout and snow swirling into one's life like a death mantle at 120°F below zero.
This is truly a very good read. Not being able to put something aside is a pretty strong indicator for me. Need I say more?
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Extracts only. Read it all at http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004GKMQE8
Kathleen Valentine gives me some of her rationThe novelist Kathleen Valentine says:
"Speaking of books (what else do I speak of?), if you want an exceptionally good and exciting one I highly recommend Iditarod by André Jute. It is hard to put down!" http://www.amazon.com/IDITAROD-novel-...
In an Amazon discussion Kathleen tells us even more flatteringly that she is rereading IDITAROD. Kathleen says:
"I am re-reading IDITAROD a novel of The Greatest Race on Earth which is even better the second time because I'm not nervous about the ending so I can savor the details and descriptions - especially of the Northern Lights."
Why "more flatteringly"? I cannot tell you how tightly the discretionary reading time of professional writers is rationed. It is always pleasing when another writer you rate as a class act gives the time to read your book, but it goes entirely beyond flattery, into the lands of unquestionable sincerity, when they spend their exceedingly limited time rereading your book.
Thank you so much, Kathleen. You must come again.
REVIEW BY LindaMc FROM AMAZON/SMASHWORDS, WITH ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONI would give this book 10 Shiny Gold Stars if I could.
I picked up this book because I had read an interview with Andre Jute at Cookie’s Book Club and he sounded fascinating. Although, this is not the genre of book that I normally read, the Iditarod sounded interesting.
The research and facts in this book are outstanding. You can tell the author took great pride in getting all of his facts right. The history and side stories about some of the Iditarod heroes are fascinating.
I never realized reading a book could be so emotionally exhausting, this story will never let you go! The elements that the participants endure, the foreshadowing of things to come literally scared me to death.
The relationship that grows as we learn about the two main human characters is realistic, fascinating and encompassing and a far cry from what this book is really about.
This book is truly worth more than 5 stars. This is an adventure of a lifetime that I will highly recommend no matter what genre you read, you will not be disappointed. The editing and formatting are pristine.
BRAVO, Andre! You would be welcome at my dinner table anytime. You will have to excuse me now; I need to go read something light and fluffy. :)
This version of the review by LindaMc is lifted from Smashwords. It is also on Amazon where LindaMc writes as "?wazithinkin". Writing as "?wazithinkin" on an Amazon discussion group, Linda also tells us something else about the realism and intensity of the IDITAROD, the novel and the the race:
I just finished IDITAROD a novel of The Greatest Race on Earth and left a review. You can tell the author took great pride in getting all of his facts right. I almost couldn't finish it! I was so afraid of how it was going to end! It is a very engaging read! This book is truly worth more than 5 stars. This is an adventure of a lifetime that I will highly recommend no matter what genre you read, you will not be disappointed. The editing and formatting are pristine.
I stepped way out of my comfort zone reading this book!
[After many tantalising teasers, Kathleen Valentine's full review of [book:IDITAROD a novel of The Greatest Race on Earth|12157390] has now arrived. It was worth waiting for.}Marchez! André Jute's Iditarod
by Kathleen Valentine
The first time I read it, I read it for the story – I was just dying to see what happened. The second time I read it was for the sheer beauty and intensity of the writing.
If you are in Alaska this week you are likely somewhere in the vicinity of one of the checkpoints for the Iditarod, the 1,049 mile dog sled race from Anchorage to Nome. The race is considered the toughest and most perilous race on earth and, as such, attracts a lot of interest from people who think damn-near killing yourself is good sport.
If you are not in Alaska this week you would do yourself a favor by picking up a copy of André Jute's Iditarod: A Novel of the Greatest Race on Earth. This book is one of those rare occurrences where I read the book, thought about for a couple days and then read it again. The first time I read it, I read it for the story – I was just dying to see what happened. The second time I read it was for the sheer beauty and intensity of the writing.
The story that forms the core of Jute's novel is a combination of adventure and romance. Rhodes Delaney grew up on a ranch in Colorado and she is an accomplished outdoorswoman who runs her dogsled team through the Rockies or into town to pick up groceries in the winter. James Alderston Whitbury III is a spoiled, rich kid who is also an enthusiastic outdoors adventurer. They meet and you know this is going to be fun. What romance doesn't start out with a brutal, 1,000 mile race through the Alaskan wilderness? Right from the beginning we know that these two were made for each other, now they have to make sure they don't get killed while figuring that out for themselves.
Jute has clearly done a tremendous amount of research. He knows his material thoroughly – everything from the care and feeding of the sled dogs (who are as much characters in the story as Rhodes and James) to the preparations for the ordeal. James prepares by designing an ultra-sleek, hi-tech sled designed to give him significant advantages. Rhodes prepares by working long, brutal hours in a salmon processing plant in order to earn the money for the race.
Animal lovers question whether the Iditarod is horrible for the dogs but if the love and care that Rhodes and James lavish on their dogs is the norm, dog lovers need not worry. The dogs are keenly attuned to their “musher” and are rewarded with a diet that includes treats like lamb chops, blocks of cream cheese, and “stinkfish” which sounds awful but they love it. Jute also points out that dogs, unlike horses and other animals, won't be pushed beyond their limit. When they've had it they just lay down and don't get back up until they feel like it.
But the real joy of this book are the descriptions of the beauties and perils that line the trail. Everything from the beauty of mushing through a snow-covered crevasse under the shimmer of the Northern Lights to encounters with wild animals. Rhodes and her dogs meet up with a cranky bull moose who doesn't want them on his trail. There are meetings with musk ox and a very hungry bear and the final climactic encounter with a pack of starving wolves that literally found me sitting on the edge of my chair – both times.
Jute has done an extraordinary job of giving the reader as much of an experience of this perilous race as one can find while sitting in a comfortable chair while safely at home. His attention to detail is exquisite. He brings to life, not only his human characters, but the personalities of the animals as well. Rhodes' lead dog Toots (a name that delighted me because I have a dog named Toots in my current WIP) is a delightful character and the grouchy moose and the hungry bear will stay with me for a long time. This is a thoroughly exciting and beautiful book. Highly recommended.
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Kathleen Valentine is a much-praised novelist.
Andre Jute is a novelist, adventurer and critic. Every year while the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race is on, he invites readers of IDITAROD a novel of the Greatest Race on Earth to join his conducted tour of the race. During the rest of the year, enthusiasts may wish to look at the value added pages for additional excitements.
Reprinted from KIssing the Blarney
UK Amazon Kindle Forum
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The Survivor a short story
Who will eat Moira first, her husband or the wolves?
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/...
Two Shorts (High Fidelity & Christmas Oratorio)
Horror & humour
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/...
Or you can pay 70-something pence at the Zon:
EDIT 20 Dec 2012: It's embarrassing to be forced by Amazon to charge for short stories and outwrites and snippets of work in progress, so I've taken these stories away from Amazon altogether. They're free on Smashwords, links above, also on Wattpad, with some additional items, list at http://www.wattpad.com/user/andrejute