The newest book from multiple-award-winning author Lew Freedman is a fresh and creative look at Denali National Park and Preserve and the tallest mountain in North America. The author takes his readers on an exciting exploration of what is perhaps the most beloved natural feature of Alaska, from the adventures and experiences of those who live near the great mountain—including the stories of many who have scaled its heights—to the history of the area and the simple joys of watching wildlife and just being in this unique and wondrous natural area.
The mountain is the signature of Alaska. It is a gigantic hunk of rock and snow that looms high above the landscape in the interior region of the largest state in the United States, breathtaking when glimpsed even from afar, awesome when seen up close. ~Lew Freedman, from the Preface
Since the 1890s, when the 20,310-foot peak was first “discovered” by a prospector, the great massif has been a symbol of the wild in Alaska. Its mere presence on the horizon has enthralled visitors, the lure of its slopes has enticed mountaineers, and the mountain remains the centerpiece of one of the most rugged National Parks in the United States. More than five dozen photographs, from the cover image of Denali over Wonder Lake by Al Grillo, to historic photos from the beginnings of the Park, give readers an in-depth look at this great American landmark.
The Park grounds attract approximately 500,000 visitors during a short summer season, hikers and campers, bus riders and the wide-eyed who wish to view the spectacular scenery and watch grizzly bears, caribou and other wild creatures in their natural habitat. The Park provides the cocoon surrounding the peak. At the same time, the perpetually snow-covered mountain is a magnet for around 1,000 people per year who wish to climb one of the most formidable mountains on Earth due to its soaring altitude and unpredictable weather.
The mountain has stood tall for thousands of years. The Park has been under federal government domain since 1917. The mountain and the Park have alternately and interchangeably been called Denali and McKinley, after the late 19th-century president. The query, “What’s in a name?” is one aptly applied to the six-million-acre gem of the north, and author Freedman explores the socio-political dynamics of the great peak’s changing name.
Chapters include interviews with and biographies of past and current Park rangers, superintendents, scientists, climbers, guides, pilots, bus drivers, mushers, tourists, and those who just live near and love the mountain and the area surrounding it. Other chapters explain details of interesting subjects such as the only working sled dog kennel in a U.S. national park, how a glacier-sited base camp functions, how trash and human waste are removed from the mountain, how a sled dog team made it to the summit, and the complexities which arise when a landslide takes out a large segment of the only road into the Park.
Denali: The Peak and The Park, by Lew Freedman, is an excellent addition to the literature on North America’s tallest mountain, a delightful guide for anyone seeking to learn more about the Alaskan treasure that is Denali National Park and Preserve. Handy travel-sized 6” x 9” format, 298 pages, more than 70 b/w photos, 40 chapters. Published in September, 2025 by Northern Light Media.
Northern Light Media 