Born to Pull [Hardcover]

Bob Cary (Author), Gail De Marcken (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 2001

Sled dogs are a mysterious breed-unrelentingly independent. At play, they may look like any other pup, but at work they bear no resemblance to others of their species.

Investigate how the fierce bond between musher and dog slowly develops until the team fuses and unleashes its collective power on the trail. Learn how these roles occasionally reverse when a "green" musher learns to trust a sled dog's experience and innate pulling instinct.

Born to Pull is written by famed North Woods author Bob Cary. Each chapter features expert insight into dog sled team dynamics that complement Bob's lively stories about life on the trail.

These narratives are vividly brought to life with stunning illustrations by northern watercolor artist Gail de Marcken who spent several months traveling with dog sled teams. Inside these pages, you'll learn everything you always wanted to know about sled dogs and their sport!

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"If you love dogs, you have to get this book. Stunningly illustrated and beautifully written, this book combines great information with a love of dogs that glows off every page." Patricia McConnell, Cohost of Public Radio's Calling All Pets -- Patricia McConnell, Cohost of Public Radio's Calling All Pets --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Author, Bob Cary, award-winning author, journalist, artist, and wilderness guide, has become a northwoods legend. His quick wit and sly humor have won him the dedicated appreciation-and occasional consternation-of readers across the nation, as well as the local folks. Author of Root Beer Lady, Tales from Jackpine Bob, and Born to Pull, Bob lives with his wife, Edie, near Ely, Minnesota, on the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, where they ski all winter, fish all summer, and play with reckless abandon the rest of the year.

Illustrator, Gail de Marcken, has a passion for dogs as well as watercolors. She spends leisurely summers in the woods near Ely, Minnesota, and adventurous winters elsewhere in the world with her Peace Corps husband, Baudouin. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 94 pages
• Publisher: Pfeifer-Hamilton Pub (February 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0439220866
• ISBN-13: 978-0439220866
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,754,688 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not for kids only!, January 6, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Born to Pull (Hardcover)

I found this book in the kids' section while looking for Christmas presents. Knew nothing about it, and sled dogs are not my dog-of-choice, but was immediately compelled to buy it even tho it cost more than I'd planned. Amazingly full of good information, understanding of dogs and pulling, but there was a twinkle in the eye of the author, too. Imagine the runway team surrounding the ice-fisherman and eating all his catch!

The illustrations too are extraordinary. Such obvious awareness of the inner workings of dogs is unusual. The expressions of each dog are wonderful.

Highest recommendation for sled-dog enthusiast or any dog person, young or old.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Information wrapped inside a beautifully illustrated book, July 19, 2000

By 

Gwyneth Calvetti (West Salem, WI United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Born to Pull (Hardcover)

"Born to Pull" was recommended to me by the owner of the kennel where our family would be going for our first mushing experience. Though aimed at upper elementary kids, the amount of information is amazing. The illustrations enhance the content beautifully; particularly stunning is a painting of a team pulling under the Northern Lights.

Most enjoyable are the stories interspersed throughout; stories from well-known mushers such as Gary Paulsen and Jamie Nelson. Stories of dogs that decided to run the wrong way at the end of a race, and of dogs who found the way home in a raging storm.

Reading this book did not guarantee that I would not wipe out on the sled, but when I did, I knew just what the snow hook was!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A thing of beauty.....a thing of knowledge, October 8, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Born to Pull (Hardcover)

"Born to Pull" was a joyous surprise. I expected the usual photos and line drawing illustrations accompanying the "how to" text, but was delighted to see the exquisite watercolors of my favorite subject, sled dogs. The artist and author make an excellent team in this effort, rather like champion duel lead dogs! A must for any mushers' library, armchair or otherwise. Perfect for gifts.