Tip of the Iceberg: My 3,000-Mile Journey Around Wild Alaska, the Last Great American Frontier

“Tip of the Iceberg – My 3,000-mile Journey Around Alaska, The Last Great American Frontier” is just terrific. It is an enormously satisfying parallel adventure, pairing the story of Edward Harriman’s 1899 expedition to Alaska with the author’s modern retracing of the same adventure nearly 120 years later. Both stories are beautifully told, with plenty of illuminating historical context to bring the past to life, and enough wry observation, real adventure and beautiful nature writing to make the modern story almost as amazing as the original one.The constant throughout is the Alaskan wilderness. Adams allows the original explorers to speak for themselves, and passages by John Muir and John Burroughs are powerful in communicating the wild vastness and shocking beauty of Alaska and the awe they felt as they encountered it. But Adams’ writing is so vivid and affecting about nature, and his descriptions so good, that it is his writing that makes the real connection for you to wild Alaska.Finally, Adams is no armchair adventurer, and his enthusiastic pursuit of the journey pays off in two ways. He has real adventures, recalled with humor and terror disguised as humor. But most rewarding are the portraits of the people he encounters in Alaska. He honors all by truly seeing them and reporting with compassion what he sees. Throw in some fascinating and tragic Native American History, some environmental history, some climate change, some geology, some huge earthquakes, some modern Alaskan political science, some tsunamis and some beer for dinner. Then you get the encounters with bears.If any of this sounds interesting at all, then you should read this book right away.

One of the best books I’ve read lately. The look both past and present was exceptional, entertaining, informative, and thought provoking. Regardless where you stand politically and your views of global warming, the comparisons made from 1899 to now will make you want to visit Alaska next week. I went ahead and bought both the Muir book and Expedition log to learn more of that time period. Been to AK at least four times for short work visits and a cruise along the inside passage and it was never enough. This book reinforced my desire to spend a few months there next year.

There are only so many times that you can say "Alaska is beautiful" or "Alaskans are quirky" before it gets repetitive.

Fun and educational read. I loved the way he tied in the 1899 and his expedition. I felt he really concentrated a lot on the colorful "locals" and stressed the smaller communitiues.. The ice age stuff did not interest me that much but the scenery and global warming and unpredictable weather was well documented. He did a great job of describing the Harriman considering it was over 100 years ago.I do question his map- it shows he flew to Nome from Dutch Harbor -but narrative says he flew from Anchorage.?

Alaska is in my heritage as my grandparents met there and my maternal grandmother grew up there. I loved this book. Great details about Alaska AND about the Harriman Expedition and it’s impact on our country and our National Parks. Thanks to men like John Muir and Theodore Roosevelt, we will have access to the beauty of America for generations to come.

For all the armchair travelers and especially for those who are unable to visit Alaska, Mark Adams has written an illuminating and very enjoyable book for you! I purchased the hardback copy instead of Kindle as I knew I'd want to share this book - it contains a map and some photos, sources and bibliography. I especially enjoyed Alaska's history, climate changes, early explorers, natives, and the scenery as described so perfectly in this utterly delightful book! Most of all I enjoyed the author's usual good-natured humor as he sailed, hiked, flew, biked, kayaked, camped, ate, communicated with tourists and Alaskans, and described the journeys by explorers in the 1800's. Alaska is America's final frontier. I've read many books on Alaska, but this is my favorite one to share.

I liked the narrative of presents t VS 1896 harrimon trip. Having been to Alaska many times since”9ved the discriptio s,adventure and history

Mark Adams consistently delivers books that take three stories that are masterfully woven into pure adventure, insights, and fun. If you love history, travel, and discovering the stories behind the stories, then Tip of the Iceberg is for you. Like Turn RIght at Machu Picchu, there are three chords; the main story (Harriman), the history of the town and adventurers that came before Harriman, and Mark's story of retracing the steps. You’ll appreciate the research and detail provided at each station of the journey as well as the odd, funny, or scary things that happen along Mark’s trip. I am amazed how he can connect with people and how quickly they open up, which adds to the understanding of the culture. This ability is what makes Mark’s book pure fun to read.

The author follows in the footsteps (or more literally - the wake), of a game-changing expedition a century before.Painting a colorful backdrop to his own excursions, by using references and historical notes from the original, he touches on multiple cultural and political issues which are also shaping the Alaskan scenery - in an entertaining, yet serious way.I really enjoyed this on many levels and the photo showing the retreat of one glacier over the century vividly brings into question the concept of climate change denial.Fabulous armchair travel and I will be reading more of his work.