Friday Feature is where we share books we love that have been out for several years. We don't want these treasures to get lost just because they aren't babies anymore!
Bear Man of Admiralty Island: A Biography of Allen E. Hasselborg (Lanternlight Library)
Paperback, 250 pages
Published December 1st 1996 by University of Alaska Press
Bear Man of Admiralty Island is the life story of a rugged loner and self-taught naturalist who came to southeastern Alaska in 1901 to seek his fortune in the awe-inspiring wilderness but found his destiny instead. In the process, this sturdy Midwesterner learned the skills of a prospector, fisherman, trapper, guide, boatbuilder, and homesteader. At all these things he eventually excelled, but his greatest fame came from his greatest skill: he was a peerless bear hunter. He joined several natural history expeditions and worked for about ten years as a specimen collector and guide. He later guided sportsmen and photographers interested in Southeastern's wildlife and majestic natural beauty. As his respect for the great brown bears increased, he lost his interest in killing them, and his experiences inspired conservationists who lobbied to protect Admiralty Island from logging. Hasselborg's keen wit, fierce independence, and eccentric ways attracted much attention during his lifetime. He was an extraordinary man who was in some ways a perfectly ordinary Alaskan of his time, and author Howe reflects on both sides of that character in a balanced, detailed way.
***
What an amazing life this man led! His is the story of a true AK pioneer. His experiences and insights are entertaining and teach a great deal about this era. I really enjoyed reading about him!
Three, four, five stars? I went with 4 because the information (stories, quotes, history, etc.) in the book is definitely five star material. However, I would have to give the actual writing 3 stars. Several sections felt like reading a textbook, not a biography. More quotes from Hasselborg's letters and journal would've been great!
4/5 stars
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