Customer Reviews

Birthplace of the Winds: Storming Alaska's Islands of Fire and Ice (Adventure Press)

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Subtitled, "Adventuring in Alaska's Islands of Fire and Ice," this is the account of Jon Bowermaster's modern-day exploration of the four Aleutian Islands in 1999. He's a writer for National Geographic, who sponsored this trip, and he and his three traveling companions were thus able to be properly outfitted with the best outdoor gear and kayaks available for the adventure.

The trip took 25 days in mid-summer, but it sure didn't seem like summer to me. The Aleutian Islands are located in the heart of the Bering Sea, in one of the most dangerous and stormiest waters in the world. But the team Bowermaster put together were all skilled, experienced and strong men. They kayaked from island to island, camped on the beaches and hiked up the volcanic mountains that dominate this small world. They carried their food with them as well as camera equipment as one of the men was an official photographer for National Geographic.

The best part of the book was the well-researched history. I am fascinated by all things about the frozen north and wondered if the Aleutian Islands as depicted by James Michener in "Alaska" was accurate. This book confirmed the accuracy of the fictional book and even added more. There are no people who live on the Aleutian Islands anymore even though they once held a population of more than 25,000. But first the Russians and then the Americans discovered that this was a place to hunt for seal and otter and forced the people to hunt for these pelts. After being isolated for thousands of years, the Aleuts had no natural resistance to disease and many of them died. There was still a small colony in the 1940s but they were all removed from the area because they were being attacked by Japan. Most of these people were sent to internment camps in Alaska and never returned to the Aleuts.

No wonder this place attracted Bowermaster and his National Geographic crew. Of course, in spite of being properly outfitted, there was still danger everywhere, especially since they had no communication with the outside world. And they had to paddle their kayaks for as many as 7 hours without a rest through volatile and dangerous waters. Some of the time I felt I was right with them. The map could have been better, but the photographs were excellent -- definitely National Geographic quality. They captured the beauty and the isolation with a professional's eye.

Because I have a particular interest in Alaska, I did enjoy this book. But the writing reads like a National Geographic piece -- clear, concise and accurate, but lacking in real passion or interesting personal details. The author tried to introduce a small bit of description of some tension in the group, but I had never gotten to know the people enough to really care. I guess I wanted it to be more than what it was -- four modern men dressed in Gore-tex looking for adventure. Therefore, as far as my own personal taste goes, I can only give it a modest recommendation.

An honest tale speeds best being plainly told. shakespeare

Perhaps `plainly' misleads. Birthplace of the Winds: Adventuring in Alaska's Islands of Fire and Ice `speeds' well because of its remarkable clarity and tightly knit narrative structure. Writer and adventurer John Bowermaster's engaging account of a sea-kayaking expedition in one of the more remote and inhospitable regions of the world benefits from the fact that Bowermaster is foremost a writer, and, by his account, only accidentally an adventurer. While ably possessed of the stamina and skills necessary to accomplish the challenge-kayak to all four "Islands of Fire" with a team of three others-it is his gift as a storyteller that sets this book apart from in the adventure travel realm.

Two elements contribute to the book's success, both of which drive the narrative forward in a smooth and graceful manner. By interweaving well-researched ethnographic and historical information with the daily accounts of his expedition, Bowermaster manages to unite two positions that often clash--the role of the adventurer and the anthropologist. By linking the past of this place with its present, through contemporary locals, and these temporary visitors, one gets a vivid sense of how this brutal and magical landscape shapes those who encounter it. As a result, the reader rides a steady wave of tension, chronic and looming. That very fine line between thrill and danger never lets up. Even during accounts of calm days and quiet seas, the reality of a tempest whipping up from nowhere keeps the reader on edge, turning pages with a combination of trepidation and excitement.

Many recent adventure travel narratives have tried to rely on exploiting the tragedy that befell the participants. While sensationalism has its base appeals, this account of danger flirted with and averted--by a blend of skill, fortune, and patience--aims higher. It provides, among other things, a welcome model in this increasingly saturated and formulaic genre-a model that provides history, ethnography and adventure with all the humanity, fear and desire intact.

The added element on top of the harsh environment is a potentially volatile team member. One thinks of those dreadful airline catalogue inspirational posters-"There is no ` I' in team". This is a place where that insipid cliché actually matters, and the threat of pride compromising safety is imminent. Someone once described the proverbial `tipping point' as "imperceptible and ominous-a thing whose identity is revealed always, and only, too late." There is a sense that Bowermaster is mapping out the anatomy of a disaster, a priori, and this gives us an acute sense of the daily fear and anxiety endemic this territory.

All arrive back safely, without major incident, making us realize that the potential of danger is far more enticing than the reality of tragedy. And given both the banality of tragedy, and its devastating effects, one is deeply relieved the journey ends an unmitigated success, and grateful that someone took the risks necessary to share the story of this enchanting and wild place.

Generally, I liked the book because I love the Aleutians and seakayaking, and there are not many books on the market that describe this combined experience.

However, some statements in the book are incorrect, e.g., when explaining plate tectonis, and I agree that the Aleutians are isolated and quiet, but they are definitely not untouched. There are islands you almost don't dare to step on because of unexploded ordnance or environmental hazards - all remnants from WWII.

I must say I got a little tired from reading over and over again how far away from any help they were and how long they would survive if capsizing. I think it would have been enough to dedicate a single chapter to this, and spend more time instead describing the things that actually happened and that they discovered. I also would have liked to read more about the great kayaking they did rather than coming to the conclusion that they behaved like little boys fighting for prestige and food.

The way the historical facts are woven into the story is well done, and the photos are really great.

I enjoyed this book for the history chapters more than for the adventure ones, which detail how a four-man crew of kayakers went to the Islands of Four Mountains in the Aleutian Island chain. The history sections are interesting and generally accurate and give a sense of the natural and, later, governmental hazards the Aleut (Unangan) people have faced over the course of their history. The author emphasizes the dangers of the environment and is rightly impressed by the creativity of the Aleut in surviving in this environment. They created the prototypes of the kayaks and gear that the author and all kayakers still use.

The Russians treated the Aleut badly, forcing them to hunt for otter for weeks on end, but the Americans were not angels, either. Bowermaster notes how the American government deported many Aleuts during World War II to camps where they were mistreated and many died from hunger and lack of medical care. There is a poignancy to his praise of the Aleut when contrasted to the uninhabited state of the islands he and his crew explore. There are still Aleuts in the Aleutian Islands, although many did not return after WWII. See the Kate Shugak series by Dana Stabenow for an interesting fictional representation of this situation.

The adventure chapters detailing the explorations of the author and his crew were not as interesting. A lot of it was about the gear they had and interpersonal tensions. When I was in Fairbanks I saw a documentary with the same name done by this group. It was more interesting because it was visually spectacular, but that doesn't come through as much here.

This is worth reading, but isn't as much of a gripping read one might expect.

As an amateur kayaker, i.e., one who prefers calm water and warm weather, I am nonetheless always fascinated by the paddling tales of people who don't mind big waves, steady rain, freezing temperatures, etc. One of these people clearly is Jon Bowermaster. His book Birthplace in the Winds is the story of a four-man adventure to the Islands of Four Mountains on the Aleutian archipelago. The kayaking, camping, and adventuring are described in gripping detail. You will also learn a great deal about the Aleuts who used to live on these islands in harrowing conditions. My only reservations about the book are that I would love to have seen more photos plus a couple more maps.

The ff are summaries of the authors own statements.

He and his crew go to a place none of us have ever heard of - the ALeutian Islands. No one has ever been there - except - the US mIlitary, the Coast Guard, The Japanese, Natives and Area fisherman. They actually kayak across ten miles of open ocean - and the winds - they hit 17MPH!! Not only that it was cold! (Hmmm wonder what Peter Bray might say about all of this - Peter was (is) the world record holder for kayaking the North Atlantic solo and unsupported) And all the time they were there was a volcano might have exploded! (Yes and I guess a meteor could have hit their boats as well)

The book goes on like this and gets rather boring - the author has an obsession with hypothermia mentioning it so many times I lost count and then devoting an entire chapter to the physiology of it. The fact of the matter is - anyone who goes into Northern Waters realizes they are at risk for this - every lobster man every crab fisherman, every kayaker etc etc. I dont understand the authors need to continually emphasize that "you know we could have died " - from hypothermia, starvation, drowning and volcanoes - what's the point?

You buys your ticket and takes your chances - no sense continually whining about it .

You too could take this trip - If national Geographic forked over $10,000 to you as well - they paid a fisherman $8000 to take them to the islands.


The writing is nothing tremendous - for an 'adventurer' this whole story was rather sedate - there a lot of crab Fisherman who could spin a much better yarn - or better yet read the biographies of people who actually lived in Alaska from the late 1800's into the 1930's and you will see true adventure - not a yuppie's four week vacation.

I liked this book alot, it contains adventure and information all at once. It includes amazing pictures so you can get the full affect of the remotness of the expidition. I plan on buying more Bowermaster books.