Arctic Bush Pilot: From Navy Combat to Flying Alaska's Northern Wilderness- A Memoir [Paperback]

James "Andy" Anderson (Author), Jim Rearden (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 26, 2000

Backed by Wien Airlines, former Navy combat pilot "Andy" Anderson pioneered post-World War II bush service to Alaska's vast Koyokuk River region serving miners, Natives, sportsmen, geologists, adventurers, and assorted bush rats. He flew mining equipment, gold, live wolves and sled dogs, you name it -- anything needed for life in the bush. He sweated out dozens of dangerous medical-emergency flights, ""always at night and in terrible storms.

Editorial Reviews

Review

I've never read a book that so skillfully puts the reader into a bush pilot's head --Cliff Cernick, Flyer magazine

I'd have died of pneumonia one winter if Andy Anderson hadn't flown me from Huslia to the Tanana Hospital in rotten weather. --Sidney Huntington, Galena, Alaska

There are both amusing and heartbreaking anecdotes, and never a dull moment. This book captures the essence of Alaska and the reader's imagination. This is recommended reading material for all aviation enthusiasts--especially for those who dream of experiencing the challenges of a bush pilot. --Judy Whitson, Private Pilot magazine

I'd have died of pneumonia one winter if Andy Anderson hadn't flown me from Huslia to the Tanana Hospital in rotten weather. --Sidney Huntington, Galena, Alaska

There are both amusing and heartbreaking anecdotes, and never a dull moment. This book captures the essence of Alaska and the reader's imagination. This is recommended reading material for all aviation enthusiasts--especially for those who dream of experiencing the challenges of a bush pilot. --Judy Whitson, Private Pilot magazine

About the Author

A 50-year resident of Alaska, Jim Rearden has written 17 books and more than 500 magazine articles, mostly about Alaska. He was named Alaska's Historian of the Year in 1999. He lives in Soldotna, Alaska. James "Andy" Anderson retired to Pennsylvania before his death in 2007.

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Epicenter Press (May 26, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0945397836
• ISBN-13: 978-0945397830
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #696,844 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Nugget, September 21, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Arctic Bush Pilot: From Navy Combat to Flying Alaska's Northern Wilderness- A Memoir (Paperback)

As a collector of aviation related books, especially those of the North Country, I found this title to be another nugget in the pan. Very well written, with Jim Rearden's skillful touch. James Anderson flew in the Arctic not long after that area was pioneered by aviation. And fly he did, accumulating nearly 30,000 hours of bush flying in 20 years. His stories are fascinating and accompanied by some excellent photographs. Hauling freight and passengers in work-horse planes, like the Norseman and Cessna 180, was a daily routine. Anderson soon learned the topography of interior Alaska like few other pilots. And in doing so he also accumulated some interesting and amusing stories of the people and places of that area.

I would recommend this book to any reader who enjoys bush flying, Alaska, and adventure.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book on the Alaskan Bush, January 8, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Arctic Bush Pilot: From Navy Combat to Flying Alaska's Northern Wilderness- A Memoir (Paperback)

Having been a pilot in Alaska for 25 years and having been lucky enough to be taught to fly by James "Andy" Anderson it was hard for me to put this book down until I was through. Once you realize how unassuming Andy is you really appreciate the experiences he has been fortunate enough to have had in a very unique place and time. His unbelievable skill has been finely tuned by many years of daily flying only a few can appreciate. I highly reccommend it to pilots and non-pilots alike. He is truly a ledgend on the Koyukuk River and Brooks Range area of Alaska.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not what I expected, but good none the less., October 9, 2005

By 

Mostyn (Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Arctic Bush Pilot: From Navy Combat to Flying Alaska's Northern Wilderness- A Memoir (Paperback)

I bought this book expecting it to read about Bush flying. There is a fair bit about bush flying however I was expecting a bit more.

The book is actually a biography of the authors experiences as a bush pilot in the Alaskan wilderness. As such it deals mostly with the authors experiences with the people and environment of northern Alaska. This was still very interesting and I enjoyed reading the book.