"There are strange things done in the midnight sun By the men who moil for gold;The Arctic trails have their secret tales That would make your blood run cold." Robert W. Service, "The Cremation of Sam McGee." The High Arctic has long been a land of romance, a magnet drawing adventurers. From the 60th Parallel to the North Pole across the tundra and the Barren Lands, the Far North has beckoned the brave, the foolhardy, and the curious. The mystery of the Land of the Midnight Sun has fascinated poets and writers, painters and sculptors, no less than scientists and explorers. In this anthology, a spectrum of Canadian writers explore in their imaginations crime and malfeasance and thrilling danger under the flickering Northern Lights. Come mushing down these secret trails with John Ballem, John Buchan, Rose De Shaw, Carol Newhouse, Marjorie Pickthall, James Powell, Peter Sellers, Robert W. Service, and Eric Wright, as they probe the wilderness of human evil in this entertaining melange of short stories old and new. From the paleolithic to high-tech oil drilling, the enduring saga of crime and punishment is told by these talented story-spinners in these tales of detection, mystery, and adventure.

The Northwestern story emerged full-blown from the pen of Jack London, and his ?The League of the Old Men? is a fitting introduction to these rigorous action tales, in which the inhospitable climate strips away civilized veneer and individuals must live or die by their cunning, instinct, and sometimes ruthlessness. The bond between man and dog and the character flaws revealed under the stresses of extreme isolation are just two of the classic themes explored in these works. The collection comes to a fitting climax of a century?s worth of development with a new story by Tim Champlin, commissioned for this volume. Most of these stories were originally published in magazines and were heavily edited to meet space and style concerns. Stories of the Far North restores each work to its original form, uncut and as each author intended.

2020 Banff Mountain Book Competition Finalist in Adventure Travel In Journeys North, legendary trail angel, thru hiker, and former PCTA board member Barney Scout Mann spins a compelling tale of six hikers on the Pacific Crest Trail in 2007 as they walk from Mexico to Canada. This ensemble story unfolds as these half-dozen hikers--including Barney and his wife, Sandy--trod north, slowly forming relationships and revealing their deepest secrets and aspirations. They face a once-in-a-generation drought and early severe winter storms that test their will in this bare-knuckled adventure. In fact, only a third of all the hikers who set out on the trail that year would finish. As the group approaches Canada, a storm rages. How will these very different hikers, ranging in age, gender, and background, respond to the hardship and suffering ahead of them? Can they all make the final 60-mile push through freezing temperatures, sleet, and snow, or will some reach their breaking point? Journeys North is a story of grit, compassion, and the relationships people forge when they strive toward a common goal.

Tales of Trails in the Far North is a compilation of the time Mike Potts was blessed to follow his vision of the "free" life in the far north - Alaska. A straightforward telling of life in the frontier from 1968 to 1989, Mike takes us through his trials and errors in learning to survive in a wilderness that can be both beautiful and brutal, with temperatures as low as 60 below and summers only three months long. When Mike first arrived in Alaska he didn't know much about wilderness living, but he kept his eyes and ears open, listened when the Indians and old-timers spoke, and quickly learned not merely to survive, but thrive. He married a girl from Eagle Village on the Yukon River and together they raised a family, moving from cabin to cabin hunting and trapping on the trapline. These are their stories as much as his. This book is a precious record of a way of life that is gone forever. Mike's adventures are written so clearly you'll feel like you've lived those years in Alaska and had those adventures on the trapline yourself. But above all, you'll understand one man's love for Alaska and the faith in God it would come to give him.

50 Westerns The Best Cowboy Adventures, Rider Trails, Stories of Outlaws & Battles with Indians represents an unparalleled compilation that traverses the length and breadth of the Western genre. This anthology highlights the rich tapestry of the American frontier, encapsulated through gripping tales of adventure, conflict, and the human spirit. The collection's diversity is not only reflected in the array of narratives that span from intimate personal journeys to epic battles but also in the literary styles that range from classic prose to innovative storytelling techniques. The assembled works, including tales of high-stakes standoffs, nuanced depictions of native cultures, and explorations of the moral compass of the rugged landscape, underscore the anthologys thematic depth and the genres capacity to interrogate the American mythos. The contributors to this collection, including luminaries like Zane Grey, Bret Harte, and Willa Cather, among others, bring a rich mosaic of backgrounds, perspectives, and literary achievements. Their collective oeuvre not only aligned with but also propelled several movements within the Western genre, enriching its narrative complexity and thematic breadth. From the romanticized tales of daring outlaws to the nuanced portrayals of frontier life, this anthology captures a pivotal era in American literature, offering insights into the socio-cultural fabric of the time. The diversity among the authors ensures a multi-faceted exploration of themes such as justice, freedom, and survival, set against the backdrop of the untamed American West. 50 Westerns invites readers on a journey through the rugged landscapes and turbulent times of the American frontier. For enthusiasts and scholars alike, this anthology presents a unique opportunity to engage with the foundational narratives that have shaped the Western genre. Through its wide-ranging selection, the collection fosters a dialogue between different voices and perspectives, enriching the readers understanding of the complexities and contradictions of the American West. This anthology is a doorway to an extensive, immersive experience of the Western literary tradition, promised to captivate, educate, and inspire reflections on the enduring themes of a bygone era.