Customer Reviews

More Readings From One Man's Wilderness: The Journals of Richard L. Proenneke, 1974-1980

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This book, unlike One Man's Wilderness by Sam Keith, gives us Dick's own words. The editor, a friend of Proenneke's, honored his request that, if this part of his journal were ever published, his words and phrasing not be changed in any way. So what you get here is Dick's own phrasing and manner of speech - which is folksy and direct.

Proenneke was disappointed that Sam Keith heavily edited his prose in One Man's Wilderness (which is obvious if you read both books) and he refused to have any more of his journals published without a promise that no editing would occur. If you are a fan of Dick Proenneke, this is the best and most authentic look at his life. It contains an introduction with a brief biography which, although short, is the only such work that we have.

THIS WAS THE SECOND BOOK I HAVE READ BY AND ABOUT DICK PROENNEKE. LIKE ONE MAN'S WILDERNESS, THIS BOOK IS A COMPILATION AND DAILY ACCOUNT OF DICKS' LIFE IN THE ALASKAN WILDERNESS. THE SIMPLE PROSE AND WRITING STYLE OF PROENNEKE IS EASY TO READ AND MAKES THE READER FEEL AS HE IS TALKING TO DICK IN PERSON. THERE IS ALOT OF READING AND THE BOOK IS LONG, BUT AFTER I FINISHED IT, I FOUND MYSELF YEARNING FOR MORE. I CAN ONLY HOPE THAT THE ALASKAN PARK SERVICE( WHO PRINTED THIS BOOK) ALSO PRINT THE REMAINDER OF THE PROENNEKE JOURNALS.
THIS BOOK WILL MAKE YOU YEARN FOR EASIER TIMES. TIMES WHEN FOOD AND A ROOF WERE ALL YOU NEEDED.
IF YOU ARE CONTEMPLATING THIS BOOK --DON'T --GET IT. YOU TOO WILL BE YEARNING FOR MORE, AND FEELING THE BITE OF THE ALASKAN COLD AS YOU READ

This guy was amazing. His descriptions are wonderful and really make you feel like you know the guy. If you want to try before you buy it's also available at the NPS site in a PDF (www.cr.nps.gov/history/online_books/lacl/proenneke.pdf)

This book is a superb sequel to "One Man's Wilderness" and is excellent reading in its own right. John Branson thoughtfully answers many questions about Mr. Proenneke and provides numerous helpful footnotes tying together people, places, and events.

Mr. Proenneke takes the reader to an amazing, but, as I know from having hiked and camped there, also a harsh wilderness. Through his day-to-day accounts of a life lived simply and optimistically, and in tune with his environment, he presents a compelling model for how to appreciate the world around us, whether a wilderness or a city.

I enjoyed reading a few entries at a time. I look forward to the hopeful release of the remainder of the Proenneke journals.

Richard Proenneke's journals from 1974 - 1980 detail everyday life at Twin Lakes Alaska. From the daily adventures of hiking and filming wildlife to the more mundane chores of chopping firewood, and making sourdough pancakes, Dick reveals his everyday life in the wilderness. Dick's prose is surprisingly easy to read for a daily journal, and entertaining. He easily transports the reader to the wilderness, and all its beauty, danger, and tranquility. A more sanguine aspect as the journal unfolds is the eventual encroachment by Man, stayed somewhat by the National Park status of the region. Dick's writings are unassuming, and yet very powerful in their simplicity, and the pictures they paint. A rare man, that I wish I could have met. I highly recommend this book for those that love the outdoors, and seek a captivating story of rugged, yet humble individualism.

This book follows the daily life of Dick Proeneke as he lives in his log cabin in the Alaska Bush. He lives delibertly in the moment and enjoys life and manual labor. He is a gentle man who loves nature and is very spiritual without being religeous, to me he is the essence of Zen ,but he probably has no idea what Zen is. Something in this short little series of notes in this book,is almost like medicine. Something that we desparately need in this society of fame chasers,greedy sychophants,capitalist consumers, a quiet little message ,powerful and direct. Dick Proeneke got one up on us...

I stumbled across this amazing man (Dick Preonneke) by seeing 'One Man's Wilderness' on PBS. I immediately purchased the DVD (and The Frozen North and Alaska Silence and Solitude by Bob Swerer Productions). After a stressful day there is just something so relaxing about dreaming of simpler times. Yeah, it is hard work but you actually 'see' the results of your labor. That is much different than most jobs today. The only thing better than watching the DVD was reading Dick's personal journals. Wow, to be able to read how Dick overcame living at Twin Lakes is just a powerful story. My only disappointment is not knowing if the NPS will release his final journals. Do yourself a favor and read One Man's Wilderness and More Readings from One Man's Wilderness.

I've read One Man's Wilderness along with this journal and the review I wrote for it could probably be placed here word for word. It's plainly a fantastic account of an extraordinary man living life day to day in the wilderness. The message of the journal is also simple: don't be wasteful, be resourceful, use your God-given wits to be a productive and decent person. Again I can go on and on about the values this book projects without even trying.
This is a much longer read than 'Alone' that could go from days to a few weeks. Read it and savor it. You may just be inspired to do something extraordinary.

I have not yet finished this book/journal but find myself trying to read a few pages daily. RLP (Richard L. Proenneke) took time from his daily chores to write thousands of pages, documenting his life in the Alaskan wilderness.I escape the daily grind of my 9 to 5 by living out in the wilderness with RLP. So far I have climbed mountains,made friends with various animals,hiked in sub zero temps,sewn buttons on and patched worn clothing,cleaned campsite liter left by hunters, and on and on I could go all done thanks to RLP sharing his life with me through his writings. I highly recommend this book to anyone who ever dreams of escaping into a less hectic life. Thanks RLP !!!

I agree with the other reviewers that this is a great book (for me). But it's not for everybody. If you are looking for eloquence, vivid description, or even decent writing or grammar, you should look elsewhere. This is one man's journal. RLP was not aiming to write well but to simply put his thoughts down. Nevertheless (or maybe because of this), his writing has a strength, simplicity, and power that is even more meaningful than beautiful language. The book is long and many entries are similar to each other, which can either drive you crazy or have the effect of putting you right inside the cabin along with him during those long Alaskan days and nights. I was hooked instantly and will be sad to read the final pages.