About the Book

This is a book by a man at home in Alaska, giving incidents of his life there and of the country itself. Jay Williams tells about Alaska as he knew it. He describes with affection both the country and the men who surrounded him, giving many accounts of encounters with the wildlife of the area—predominantly those ending in rifle shots, but in later years, those ending with camera shots instead.

Williams devotes a good deal of space to the animals themselves and also gives information about the various areas of Alaska most familiar to him. Most of all, he gives sound advice on the experience, alertness and provisions needed by a man who copes with the wilderness and its animal inhabitants. In the appendices there is advice on equipment and technique for camp and trail and, written by Townsend Whelen, directions for making the Alaskan packboard and hunters’ lean to tent.