Category Archives: Alaska History

Review: History of Sled Dogs

Posted on March 11, 2024 by Helen Hegener

The March, 2024 issue of Alaska magazine includes a very nice review by Alaskan writer and book critic David A. James, who writes about Northern Light Media’s 2023 book, The History of Sled Dogs in North America, by Helen Hegener. From the review: … Continue reading →

Posted in Alaska History, Book Reviews, Books, Gold Rush History, News & Information, Newsletter, Sled Dog History | Tagged David A. James, Helen Hegener, mushing, mushing history, Northern Light Media, sled dogs | Leave a comment

A Site for the Railroad Book

Posted on January 26, 2024 by Helen Hegener

I am pleased to announce a website for my newest book, The Alaska Railroad 1902-1923, which shares the content and the research materials and resources which I used in writing the book. Continue reading →

Posted in Alaska History, Alaska Railroad, Books, News & Information, Transportation, Uncategorized | Tagged Alaska, Alaska Central Railroad, Alaska Northern Railroad, Alaska Railroad, Anchorage, ARR, Fairbanks, Helen Hegener, Nenana, Seward, Tanana Valley Railroad, travel | Leave a comment

Adventures on the Iditarod Trail

Posted on December 4, 2023 by Helen Hegener

Adventures on the Iditarod Trail: Fast Dogs, Freezing Mushers and the Alaska Wild, by Lew Freedman, features engaging interviews with mushers from several decades of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. In his introduction, Lew Freedman writes, “March in Alaska belongs to the Iditarod. The throwback nature of the event in a hurry-up world, the romance of the wilderness, the challenge of conquering the elements, all figure into why the Iditarod is so popular.” Continue reading →

Posted in Alaska History, Books, Iditarod, News & Information, Sled Dog History, Sled Dog Races | Tagged Alaska, Anna and Kristy Berington, Bob Chlupach, Brent Sass, Bruce Lee, Burt Bomhoff, Cindy Abbott, Dave Monson, Dick Mackey, Frank Teasley, Iditarod, Iditarod Trail, Jeff King, Jessie Holmes, Joe May, John Baker, Last Great Race, Lew Freedman, Libby Riddles, Martin Buser, Mille Porsild, mushing, mushing history, Nicholas Petit, Northern Light Media, Ramey Smyth, Raymie Redington, Richard Burmeister, Ritchie Diehl, Rod Perry, sled dog race, sled dogs, Sonny Lindner, Susan Whiton, Vern Halter | Leave a comment

Ordering Books

Posted on September 14, 2023 by Helen Hegener

Books by Alaskan author Helen Hegener, including The History of Sled Dogs in North America, The Alaska Railroad, Alaskan Roadhouses, The First Iditarod, The Matanuska Colony Project and many more. Continue reading →

Posted in Alaska History, Alaska Railroad, Book Reviews, Books, Colony Barns, Explorers, Gold Rush History, Iditarod, Matanuska Colony, Matanuska Valley, Roadhouses, Sled Dog History, Sled Dog Races, Yukon Quest | Tagged Alaska, Alaska History, Alaska Railroad, All Alaska Sweepstakes, barns, gold rush, Helen Hegener, Iditarod, Iditarod Trail, Klondike gold rush, Matanuska Colony, mushing history, Nome, Northern Light Media, Revenue Cutter Service, Roadhouses, sled dogs, Yukon Quest | Leave a comment

Reviewed: Dr. Stein’s Book

Posted on June 13, 2023 by Helen Hegener

I was delighted to see my July/August issue of Alaska Magazine included this splendid review of the book I published in 2021, “I Wish You Could Come Too: The Alaska Diaries of Dr. James Taylor White,” by the late Dr. Gary C. Stein. Continue reading →

Posted in Alaska History, Book Reviews, Books, Gold Rush History, News & Information | Tagged Book Reviews, Dr. James Taylor White, Gary C. Stein, Northern Light Media, Revenue Cutter Bear | 3 Comments

1991 Hope / Надежда Race

Posted on February 12, 2023 by Helen Hegener

Since December my research and writing has been focused on the historic 1991 Hope Race from Nome, Alaska, to Anadyr, Russia. The genesis of this book came about during a visit to the Alaskan artist Jon Van Zyle in December, when I commented on an unusual sled displayed on the ceiling of his studio. That led to stories of the race, which led to pulling out a photo album, which led to an hour or more of poring over the photos, more stories, more artifacts from the adventures, and now, a few weeks later, Jon and I are working together on this book. Continue reading →

Posted in Alaska History, Books, News & Information, Sled Dog History, Sled Dog Races | Tagged Hope Race, Jon Van Zyle, mushing history, sled dog race, sled dogs | Leave a comment

Alaska & The Klondike

Posted on February 8, 2023 by Helen Hegener

Alaska & the Klondike, Early Writings and Historic Photographs, compiled and edited by Helen Hegener, is an anthology of selected writings by early explorers and travelers in Alaska and the Yukon Territory of Canada. Wonderful photographs accompany the often colorful writings of Frederick Schwatka, Hudson Stuck, Robert Service, Josiah Edward Spurr, and many others as they tell of adventure, explorations, fortunes won and lost, and the magnificent promise of our great northern lands. Read the words of those early travelers who accepted the chalenge of the North and left an indelible mark in their writing of it. Continue reading →

Posted in Alaska History, Books, Explorers, Gold Rush History, Kindle eBooks, News & Information, photographs | Tagged Alaska, Dawson City, Klondike gold rush, Yukon | Leave a comment

Northern Journey

Posted on January 11, 2023 by Helen Hegener

In his newest book. Northern Journey, Lew Freedman tells the stories behind the adventures which became his award-winning books and articles. Continue reading →

Posted in Alaska History, Book Reviews, Books, Explorers, Iditarod, News & Information, Sled Dog History, Sled Dog Races | Tagged Alaska, authors, Canada, Greenland, Iceland, Iditarod, Lew Freedman, Northern Light Media, sled dogs | Leave a comment

Spirit of the Wind

Posted on November 28, 2022 by Helen Hegener

The award-winning 1979 movie Spirit of the Wind is based upon the early life and rise to prominence of the legendary Athabaskan trapper and dog musher George Attla, Jr., Continue reading →