Following My Father's Dreams: Journals From A Rookie Iditarod Run [Paperback]

James Warren (Author), Christopher Warren (Contributor)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 10, 2005

Father and Son, in Michigan, trained to take their sled dog team to Alaska to run in the 'Last Great Race on Earth', the Iditarod. From the start line in Anchorage to the finish in Nome, Christopher hitchhikes by bush plane along the trail, recording the intensity and struggle of unfolding adventure in his journal on the family website. Jim, the oldest rookie, guides his team through the perils of back country artic travel to a 13 day finish against the odds because of unexpected injuries.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Jim grew up and lives in the small rural community of Linwood, Michigan, graduated from college as an Electrical Engineer and spent most of his career as a construction and facility project manager. Upon retirement he continued the families Christmas tree farm. Then after a tour of Iditarod '00 he built a kennel of Alaskan Huskies for distance racing. In March of '04 he crossed the finish line of Iditarod in 13 days. Jim continues to train for a future Iditarod and manages the families SledDog Lodge located near Paradise, Michigan on the Lake Superior shore. Christopher grew up on the Warren Homestead Christmas Tree farm where his grandfather and father lived for over 50 years. He graduated from High School early to accompany his father in the adventure of the Iditarod. Chris, as a Media person, followed the race flying by bush plane into the Alaskan backcountry along the historic race trail, updating the family website while the race was running. Chris continues his studies at Michigan Technological University in Civil Engineering and is an avid snow boarder and mountain biker. He trains and races the sled dogs too, and is a future Iditarod candidate.

Product Details

• Paperback: 180 pages
• Publisher: BookSurge Publishing (August 10, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1419610686
• ISBN-13: 978-1419610684
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 4.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,487,062 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #86 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Outdoor Recreation > Iditarod & Dog-Sledding

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An older rookie's Iditarod, March 30, 2007

By 

Janet Wertz "Penny" (Memphis, TN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Following My Father's Dreams: Journals From A Rookie Iditarod Run (Paperback)

A compilation of blog postings, this book is a look at the Iditarod through the eyes of an older rookie dog musher and his family. It is very good, very light reading. I've read books about the Great Race that told about the big names. This book tells all about the preparation necessary just to get to the race, as well as the hazards of the race itself. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars re: Jim & team, January 2, 2008

By 

C. Caravaggio "" cattoy "" (Center Line, MI USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Following My Father's Dreams: Journals From A Rookie Iditarod Run (Paperback)

Jim & Chris Warren's account of the trials and tribulations of training for this GREAT RACE shows love and understanding for both the dogs and the great commitment it takes to get to the finish line.

I have an extensive library of Iditarod books and I put this book right up there on top. Many of the top FINISHERS have written books on the race but this comes from a common man. One without large corporate sponsorship trying to live out his dream and in doing that FOLLOWING HIS FATHER'S DREAM.

I coudnt put the book down. The e-mails to and from family members and friends and fans gave the book a special touch.

The true bond between Jim & the dogs was so apparent. Their trust in each other was essential if they were to make it the 1100 miles. The way Jim & the dogs communicated with their body language shows what the expert training put into the team; all of them dogs and the driver.

Through the driver's physical pain and exhaustion, not to mention sleep depravation or poor diet, Jim managed to work through the doubt by taking it one check point at a time, some times managing the race one hill at a time.

In every mile of the race new perils are thrust at the mushers, whether it be a steep drop off or a blinding whiteout, or below zero temperatures with stinging snow creeping into your clothes, or just not being able to see the markers clearly. Anyone that even attempts this race is a special kind of person.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Where others can only dream, others do., April 25, 2006

By 

Woodswoman (Michigan, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Following My Father's Dreams: Journals From A Rookie Iditarod Run (Paperback)

This book is for anyone who has ever dared to dream.

Jim Warren, following his own father's dream of adventure, becomes the oldest rookie to participate in the 2004 Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. Jim's father never saw Alaska. However, his life-long influence stirred Jim's soul.

Jim's son, Christopher, completes the trilogy of Warren men by finishing high school months early, with honors, to accompany his father to Alaska.

The easy to follow Journal format takes the reader along from the first decision to run the race, to the finish line in Nome. Entries by both Jim and Christopher tell the story in an impassioned manner.

With incalculable physical determination and mental toughness, Jim crosses under the famous burled arch in 13 days with a team of healthy dogs.

The respect and admiration between father and son, the bond of the dogs, and the sheer willpower to step out of one's comfort zone makes this book a must-have for everyone seeking adventure...or anyone who dares to dream.