Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
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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.

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.

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.

The book is an accurate account of an unusual pioneer. I knew Andy, back in 1952, and have ridden in the Wien Norseman, with Andy piloting. If there is any fault to be found with his story, it is that it is understated.
Typically reserved, his account does not linger on the incredible cold and loneliness that was his lot on many of his journeys. His willingness to go to the rescue of lost and injured miners and trappers, at great risk to his own life and safety, testify to his own character.
Andy, and the pilots of his time, benefitted from the experience of his friend and mentor, Noel Wien. The pilots of today fly the routes that Andy pioneered.
I recommend the book, "Arctic Bush Pilot" to any who hunger for a taste of how it used to be, in the remote Arctic Circle regions of Alaska.

This is a FANTASTIC book!! I simply could not put it down!! I bought it on the day I departed on my 4th trip to Alaska...the flight passed so quickly as I read page after page!!

I read with great interest the section about Jules Thibedeau, my First Cousin who was a bush pilot from Barrow, AK in the 50's and 60's...his comments about Jules, "The Walking Pilot" brought back memories of the stories I heard as a child about my cousin who would fly anywhere, at anytime, to help anyone in Alaska...a guy who was truely a "tough-luck, no-money" pilot who cared more for the people he helped than he did his own well-being many times.

Anderson's comments came back to life for me during that trip as I visitied Barrow for the first time...only to have an 80+ year-old Eskimo woman tell me how my cousin had saved her son when he was young kid...Jules had flown out in a blizzard to bring her sick child back to Barrow...

Bravo to Mr. Anderson on a "must read" book!!

Don't know the author, don't know the pilot. Simply an easy to read, very entertaining and informative book that, like day old lazagne, was much enjoyed even the second time around.

I had the pleasure of attaining a lifetime dream of learning to fly an airplane. I didn't immediately appreciate my good fortune to be led step-by-step through the process by my instructor, Jim Anderson. As I played the unintentional role of test pilot, stretching the limits of the plane, my instructor kept a very cool head, showed tremendous patience and provided life saving tips to enable me to become a pretty good private pilot. I always wondered how Jim could maintain such a relaxed presence with every new danger I provided. I had heard bits and pieces of his flying past - from naval aviator during WWII to pioneer in the Arctic. I have thouroughly enjoyed filling in the blanks by reading this book. Jim is every bit the hero that the book portrays. And more than that, he has the highest level of honesty and integrity (tested in aviation and elsewhere) of any person I have encountered. I recommend this book without reservation.

I enjoy reading flying stories, and this is a fun one. I do recomend ths book to any one who enjoys stories of bush flying.

You have to get used to reading a compilation of short stories, however this is a great read. The book reads like you sitting down with a story teller who really enjoyed his life, his friends and somehow survived many risky situations in an unforgiving wilderness. I sense the book could have been a very technical read with many details, however the author is succinct, and unfortunately the book is over quickly...

I have read it, and has some neat stories about flying in the bush. Which is where my wife and I plan to make it some day.
Good reading!