The History of Sled Dogs in North America, by Helen Hegener and several contributing writers, tells the many and varied stories of the teams of working sled dogs which helped shape the future of the continent, whether hauling the mail, gold, freight, passengers, or racing each other for winning purses for their owners.
This full-color, elegantly illustrated book features the outstanding art of award-winning artist Veryl Goodnight and dozens of splendid historic photographs and illustrations. Drawing from many vintage books and historic writings on the earliest accounts of travel by dogteam, the book is a landmark reference on the interdependence of man and dog.
“They were new dogs, utterly transformed by the harness. All passiveness and unconcern had dropped from them. They were alert and active, anxious that the work should go well, and fiercely irritable with whatever, by delay or confusion, retarded that work. The toil of the traces seemed the supreme expression of their being, and all that they lived for and the only thing in which they took delight.”
—Jack London, The Call of the WIld, 1903
This wide-ranging book includes the use of sled and pack dogs by native Americans, traced back to prehistory; the coureurs des bois (runners of the woods), who were the first European mushers in North America; historic explorations which relied on dog teams; the dog teams of the Hudson Bay and Northwest Companies; the intrepid dogs of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police; famous mushers such as Harry Karstens, Arthur Treadwell Walden, Scotty Allan, Leonhard Seppala, Emile St. Goddard, Harry Wheeler, Jujiro Wada, Robert Kennicott, Dick Moulton, Norman Vaughan, Joe Redington Sr., Albert Campbell, Tud Kent, and many others; The Sirius Dog Sled Patrol in Greenland, the history of sled dogs at Denali National Park; the demonstration races at the 1932 Olympic games; the many gold rushes in which dog teams played key roles; the 1925 Serum Run to Nome; the breeding and development of northern breeds such as the Alaskan Malemute, the Chinook, the Siberian Husky, the Alaskan Husky and others; the great sprint and long-distance races; the long-distance travels of mushers such as Slim Williams, Mary Joyce, Eli Smith and others; and the dog teams of the scientists, doctors, mailmen, missionaries, businessmen, and dozens more whose teams made winter travel easier–and sometimes they were all that made it possible.
The History of Sled Dogs in North America
Softcover paperback printed in full color on premium stock paper, 416 pages, 8.5″ x 11″ format, dozens of b/w and color photographs, images, and artwork, extensively annotated, resources, bibliography, indexed. Published by Northern Light Media. $69.95 plus $6.50 shipping and handling. The important role of sled dogs across the North American continent, from their earliest partnerships with Native peoples to their significance in the opening of the North during gold rush and pioneer times, to their work delivering mail and supplies across Canada and the northern U.S.
$76.45
“This, in my opinion, is the Gold Standard on sled dogs.” -Amazon reviewer
“I am absolutely blown away! I have hundreds of books–make that thousands–and very few come close to being as extraordinary in scope!” -Veryl Goodnight, Mancos, Colorado
“You should be very proud of what you’ve created. It will be a long time, if ever, before something comparable is produced.” -Thomas Swan, Two Rivers, Alaska
“I have never seen a book about sled dog history this comprehensive and complete!” -Lila Franceau, Duluth, Minnesota
“This coffee table handsome book of 400 pages is filled with information, history, photography, art and stories. The full and mostly untold history between humans and dogs in the arctic is traced, beginning with the first inhabitants of North America. The great depth and breadth of this book truly makes it the Sled Dog Bible.” -Roger Brooks, Amazon Review
“I also know far more about not just the history of my home state of Alaska through the history shared by Hegener, but how sled dogs have impacted the nation as a whole. Bottom line, whether a dog fan, history buff, or someone just curious about past lives in the north, this book is a must. Having the info in one place is wonderful, but to have it in one place with such an array of illustrations and historical writings is amazing.” -June Price, Sunhusky Reviews, on Amazon
Northern Light Media 