Alaska: A Novel

James Michener’s Alaska is historical fiction in his signature style — a vast, time-spanning narrative that compresses millennia into a single sweeping story. The book begins in prehistory, where Michener takes creative liberties to imagine the land’s earliest inhabitants, and then steadily accelerates toward the modern era, expanding in detail as it approaches the present. His rendering of Alaska’s geological and human evolution is both imaginative and , given what we know, plausible. I picked up the book wondering what could possibly make Alaska worthy of such an epic treatment, and found myself astonished by its depth — the land’s natural history, geography, and the improbable mix of people who shaped it. Michener remains even-handed in his storytelling, giving due credit to every group that played a role in Alaska’s past. Some passages, such as the brutal hunting of walruses for profit, are difficult to read, but they are a necessary part of the truth he aims to tell. Like many of his novels, Alaska is both compelling and demanding: it’s hard to put down once you’re absorbed in it, yet oddly hard to pick back up after a pause. Michener’s characters often pass in and out of the narrative, generations blending and overlapping, so that your emotional connection lies more with the place than with any single person. Still, the research, scope, and storytelling are extraordinary. Because he delivers history through fiction, the lessons linger — long after you’ve closed the book.

This is a reason long book, but very much worth it. Love how the characters develop and then relate thru out the book.

Michener lives up to his reputation as a research artist, and this book is meticulously done. The facts are there, if dated by this year of 2025. It's an amazing documentary type, with stories leading back to the Bering Strait bridge. However, if you are a character driven reader as I am, there are long explanations of politics, class friction, and geology that may leave you bored. Tying some of the prominent families into lengthy centuries of Alaskan history makes it a worthwhile read. It's the type of book that you can find occasionally interesting, and that, upon completion, makes you feel as though you learned some new things about a unique state in our country. And that's always a good thing. Perhaps the more we know about our neighbors and why they do what they do, the more we can work with them and develop the unity of real countrymen.

The best thing about this book is that it left a permanent imprint in my mind. After reading it I feel that I understand Alaska complicated history and demographics a little better. And it was a surprisingly fun read all along. Like most Michener books, this one is also a mixture of true history and life stories of mostly fictional characters with some real historical figures lurking in the background. Sometimes the adventures of the fictional protagonists were so engaging that I was forgetting a broader historical picture, at the other times the real history and geography become so fascinating that I was forgetting about fictional characters. At the beginning of the book there is a very useful short chapter explaining what is fictional and what is true. In agreement with the historical truth, there is a lot of cruelty and carnage involving both, humans and animals. But there is also a lot of compassion and love. The book spans thousands of years and is 1200 pages long. But it is like a few separate books combined in one, each with separate (or only loosely related) sets of characters. Good thing about it is that if one is not ready for such long reading commitment one can always skip some parts and read about the periods in history which interest one most. The ending is a little anticlimactic because it does not bring reader to the presence. I wish Mr. Berry (who wrote very nice introduction) wrote one short chapter at the end.

What an amazing tome! Like all Michener books, this one covers the arc of history like no one else. From the geology of land masses to Russian explorers, Seattle opportunists, Natives seeking to hold on to their paradise - he intersperses personal stories with the onward momentum of historical events. Having never been to Alaska, but going on a cruise in one month's time, I have new appreciation for the awe and splendor of the terrains as well as some understanding of the history. All his books are worth reading, digesting, reflecting. And this one is for sure.

Each section is so complete and detailed. It is a great way to learn about this complicated state. Another Michener masterpiece!

It took me months to complete this book. I found it very interesting but complicated and sometimes hard to follow. I did finish it and it was worth it. Michener is so well researched that his books always are lessons in history, geology and social development. I’m glad I stayed the course and finished the book.

Just finished "Alaska" by James A. Michener. Having visited the state twice over the past six years, I found myself appreciating Michener’s work even more. He captures the awe, majesty, and wild spirit of the place. Reading this book felt like reliving the incredible landscapes and history I witnessed firsthand. True to Michener’s style, the novel spans eons, beginning with the formation of the land itself and weaving through the lives of indigenous peoples, Russian fur traders, gold prospectors, bush pilots, and modern settlers. Every chapter brings history to life through memorable characters whose personal struggles mirror the larger forces shaping the region. He doesn’t just tell a story — he takes you on a full journey through the history, struggles, and beauty of our 49th State - the Last Frontier. Yes, it's a long book (nearly 900 pages), but worth the time invested for anyone who loves history, adventure, or just a great, sweeping story you can get lost in. Check it out!

A long read - over 1300 pages. At times I almost gave up, but it was worth sticking with. I now know a lot about Alaska - from the beginning of time to the 1980s. The cruelty of the Russians when they occupied it was awful and the Americans exploited it for what they could and rode rough shod over Native American rights. Businessmen used their influence to stop it becoming a territory for as long as possible so they could take advantage of the lack of government and rule of law, and later lobbied against it being made a State to preserve their monopolies that resulted in Alaskans paying much more for supplies than they should have. Michener, it seems, was progressive in his attitude as demonstrated in the way he tells the story. It was all so interesting - the first inhabitants crossing from Siberia, the gold rush, the salmon, the spectacular landscape - it had me googling for images - the fight for statehood, etc The book is part fiction and part non-fiction with a lot of facts, the writing solid but not arresting. So would I read another long Michener epic? Probably, but I could read three shorter books for one of his, and there’s so much else I also want to read. Still, I’ve already downloaded ‘Hawaii’ - I couldn’t resist it! If the thought of Alaska inspires you like it does me, then you’ll most probably love this book.

I love James Michener and this is one of his most brilliant novels. The history of the arctic was fascinating especially with what is happening in the world today.

Excelente, como todo livro do Michener. Uma descrição minuciosa da vida no Alasca, e as dificuldades inerentes à vida em uma natureza selvagem.

Pour un livre d'occasion, c'est parfait. La livraison a été un peu plus longue que prévu mais ça ne fait rien le principal c'est de l'avoir reçu.

Sehr gutes Buch. Gut erhalten.