Customer Reviews

Eagle Blue: A Team, a Tribe, and a High School Basketball Season in Arctic Alaska

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Eagle Blue provided great insight into the game of basketball within the small towns of Alaska,specifically among native american communities. The author did an outstanding job of combining culture, hoops, and history within the story. This book also included some interesting political questions regarding government subsidies,drilling for oil, and information on the state and people of Alaska.
As a whole I loved the first half of the book but was somewhat disappointed in the sportswriting done by D'Orso. His basketball descriptions left a great deal to be desired. As an example the author uses players numbers to describe the action, for instance; #12 comes back with a three, or #13 with a floater. On a personal note I also have a problem when an adult writer spends time with high school students who are engaging in illegal activities, drinking /smoking. Much like my similiar feelings with the author of Fall Rivers Dream.
However, that being said a good read with many wonderful insights.

I highly recopmmend this book to people curious about life in the Arctic. It provides interesting social and historical commentary as well as expressing the environmental concerns of many natives. Although centered around basketball, one does not have to be a bball fan to find this book insightful.

This book is a very real look at Fort Yukon and all that makes it an 'interesting' place to work!

This book gave a very good feel for the state of Alaska and the diverse issues facing native people in remote villages while being very appealing to the sports enthusiast. Mike D'Orso made me feel like I was an active participant and I could feel the visceral energy of the whole cast as the Fort Yukon Eagles fought their way to the finish of the basketball season.