Winterdance

My latest selection of books includes "Winterdance- The Fine Madness of Running the Iditarod" by Gary Paulsen. This is a wonderful book, filled with beautiful descriptions of the vastness of the Northern wilderness, the striking beauty of a pristine forest by the light of a dazzling full moon and a sky full of stars, mountain ranges to the horizon, and rivers meandering through unknown territory. This is also the story of the interaction of the dogs with each other and with the author, who clearly loves these magnificent animals. When the author and his wife begin to admire the intelligence and personality of animals and the sanctity of life, they stop hunting and trapping and even stop eating meat! Paulsen also describes other wildlife he meets on the trails, including a beaver who holds his own against a pack of sled dogs and a wild coyote who uses intelligence, planning, and even tools to hunt grouse! Above all, this is an adventure story, of taking on an incredible challenge, facing obstacles along the way, and ultimately running the legendary Iditarod.