Alaska's Accessible Wilderness: A Traveler's Guide to AK State Parks [Paperback]

Bill Sherwonit (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 1996

"ALASKA'S ACCESSIBLE WILDERNESS is a beautifully produced book that will lure travelers to the parks."-The Anchorage Daily News

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Sherwonit, an Anchorage resident and freelance writer, was trained as a geologist and journalist and has explored Alaska's state parks since the 1980s. He introduces readers to the wonders of the North by recounting his own explorations and hiking trips over the years. This allows a wealth of pertinent information to be incorporated into the text while introducing the wonders of the Kachemak Bay, Wood-Tikchik, Chugach, Shuyak Island, and Denali state parks. Focusing on the theme "accessible wilderness," he introduces readers to the unique and exciting attributes of each area through superb travel writing. Sherwonit presents practical information in one concise, full-page format entitled "If You Go" and separate one-page articles on such topics a mosquitoes, bears, and fishing. Complemented by 50 color photos and eight maps, this book will have readers packing their bags. One of the most refreshing travel guides this reviewer has encountered; highly recommended.?Jo-Anne Mary Benson, Osgoode, Ont., Canada
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

""Superb travel writing... One of the most refreshing travel guides this reviewer has encountered. Highly recommended."

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Product Details

• Paperback: 120 pages
• Publisher: Alaska Northwest Books (April 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0882404717
• ISBN-13: 978-0882404714
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 8.7 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,970,956 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing, August 25, 2001

By 

Richard Miller (Raleigh, NC United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Alaska's Accessible Wilderness: A Traveler's Guide to AK State Parks (Paperback)

There is a reason you see used versions of this book for sale. I was very disappointed in that it only covers 6 parks. Considering the number of state parks in Alaska, this is a pretty poor showing. Those that are covered are covered in a "this is what I did" vein and not in a "this is what is available" manner that I was expecting.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Innovative and overlooked, December 30, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Alaska's Accessible Wilderness: A Traveler's Guide to AK State Parks (Paperback)

This book is different, and that's its charm! Instead of a simple turn-left, turn-right, camp-here guide, it is a trip-planner and day-dreamer's book of beautiful wilderness images and essays. Because the design and photos are top-rate, it would also work as a gift book or post-trip keepsake. Sherwonit introduces each park with a 1st-person travel essay, describing hiking, paddling, and animal-watching adventures, and the author's own personal connection to these places. Then there are great how-to sections, sidebars, and lavishly illustrated maps. The softcover, square-shaped format make it more aesthetically pleasing than a small, narrow guidebook, but less unwieldy than a coffee table book.

Alaska is so vast, overwhelming, and superlative, it can be hard to imagine how to explore it, but this book helps the reader visualize and plan. If this book is so pleasing, why isn't it better known? I think it's the title. "Accessible" wilderness might make readers think of wheelchair paths, when in fact, this book is about wild and remote parklands that are simply *easier* to reach (though not always easy). Another reason this book is overlooked is that it focuses on Alaska's state parks instead of its more famous national parks (like Denali National Park). But again, that's the book's strength. Tourists cruise past Denali STATE Park without realizing what they're missing, and many "Outsiders" have never heard of places like Kachemak Bay State Park and Wood-Tikchik. Though every park covered is unique, all but one are within 325 miles of Anchorage, the state's urban hub. (One of the parks, Chugach State Park, actually backs up to Anchorage, bringing moose, bears and salmon to our backdoors.) As an Alaskan, I'm tempted to keep our great state parks under wraps, but I'd hate for readers to miss this fine book by a writer who really knows and appreciates the state's natural treasures.

5.0 out of 5 stars Get a 'sense of place' of state parks in Alaska, January 4, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Alaska's Accessible Wilderness: A Traveler's Guide to AK State Parks (Paperback)

The book includes descriptions of some of Alaska's parks. I find it a cross between a travel narrative and a travel guide. The photos and narrative provided good descriptions. The title is a alittle misleading in that the book focuses on a few of the main state parks and does not provide details on every state park on the road system. What it does provide is the authors experience of the 'sense of place,' what it might be like to be there. For that, it is well worth it.