Race Across Alaska: First Woman to Win the Iditarod Tells Her Story [Paperback]

Libby Riddles (Author), Tim Jones (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1988

Libby Riddles wanted an adventure. At the age of 16 she left home for the snowy frontiers of Alaska, the Last Frontier. There her love of animals drew her to the sport of sled dog racing. When she entered the Iditarod, the famous marathon from Anchorage to Nome, she was just another Iditarod Nobody. Twelve hundred miles later, having conquered blizzards, extreme cold, and exhaustion, she and her dogs crossed the final stretch of sea ice, miles ahead of the nearest competitor...and suddenly she realised: I will be the first woman to win the Iditarod. This is the story of a courageous woman and her heroic dogs. This is the story of Libby Riddles's adventure.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Born in Wisconsin, Riddles was 16 when she moved to Alaska in 1972. After working at various odd jobs and becoming involved in sled dog racing, in 1985 she entered the "Iditarod," a grueling sled-dog marathon on the Iditarod Trail from Anchorage to Nome. Nineteen days and 1200 miles later, she emerged from a raging blizzard and crossed the finish line to become the first woman to win this race. This fast-paced description of her bout against both the elements and veteran competitors generates electrical excitement. Former newspaper editor Jones (the Chicago Tribune and the Wall Street Journal, among others) contributes short background articles covering trail history, fabric booties that protect the dogs' feet, checkpoint procedures, etc. There are 11 black-and-white photos and maps at the beginning of each chapter showing Riddles's daily position.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Libby Riddles and Tim Jones

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Stackpole Books; Ltr ptg edition (January 1, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811722538
• ISBN-13: 978-0811722537
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #556,790 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #30 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Outdoor Recreation > Iditarod & Dog-Sledding

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Getting in Touch With The Iditarod, January 19, 2000

By 

Henry R Pearson Jr - See all my reviews

This review is from: Race Across Alaska: First Woman to Win the Iditarod Tells Her Story (Paperback)

This book does a wonderful job of describing the many facets of the Iditarod Dog Sled Race - - the majesty and beauty of Alaska, the personality, strength, and stamina of the dogs, the harshness of the weather, the varied trail conditions and terrain, the sleep deprivation and physical toll exacted on the mushers, the difficulties in following the trail, the friendship and comradery that exists among the mushers, the hospitality of people along the trail, and the excitement of the competition. The style of the writing seems just right - - eminently readable, highly entertaining, very descriptive and insightful. From the comfort of ones armchair, the reader feels very close to the drama, excitement, hardships, danger, and challenge of the Iditarod. While it is true that the author, Libby Riddles, was the first woman to win the Iditarod, to her credit she does not come through as a crusader or a "woman's libber". She is a genuine, sincere person with a great love of sled dogs, racing, the outdoors, and competition. This book is an epic story about how she proved herself to be the best in the world, by winning the Iditarod. She was incredibly dedicated, driven to win, and extraordinarily tough. I highly recommend the book to anyone who loves the challenge, adventure, danger, and excitement of The Last Great Race - - the Iditarod.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Libby is woman, hear her roar!, May 25, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Race Across Alaska: First Woman to Win the Iditarod Tells Her Story (Paperback)

Libby Riddles proves that being a woman in the middle of Alaska's traitorous terrain can be a blessing, especially when flying behind a pack of healthy enthusiastic dogs. Although this recount of the 1985 Iditarod wasn't written to prove a point about the strength and determination of women, the perseverance of the team with Libby in the lead illustrated the inner drive that makes completing a daunting task like the Iditarod possible. In her own words she describes the incredible task of racing a pack of sled dogs across Alaska from Anchorage to Nome while facing unbelievable odds including ferocious weather, exhaustion, doggie runs, sneaky sweepers, and the ever elusive trail markers. This book gives a behind-the-scenes type of look inside the mind of a determined and intelligent musher making moment-to-moment decisions while coming within inches from mortal danger for herself and her dogs. Libby's story will make you want to harness up your beagle and set out for the tundra of Alaska!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A page turning adventure for all ages!, August 1, 2001

By 

Marlo Messina (Burbank, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Race Across Alaska: First Woman to Win the Iditarod Tells Her Story (Paperback)

Libby Riddles is the first woman to win the Iditarod, which is the Alaskan dog-sled race that covers over 1,000 miles.

As I'm not very familiar with Alaska, I had never heard of Libby Riddles, or the Iditarod for that matter. However, my boss, who is from Alaska, brought me an autographed copy of the book as a souvenir from one of her trips home. I immediately started reading the book and was quickly engrossed in Libby's adventure.

The book is written in journal style. I felt as if I were right there on the trail with Libby throughout her grueling race to the finish. Interspersed throughout the pages are interesting Iditarod facts that help the reader to better understand the life of a musher as well as the ins and outs of the race.

Libby, as well as all the mushers, show an amazing amount of courage and strength. From start to finish, many mushers don't get to shower and exist on an hour or so of sleep every 15-24 hours! Imagine that kind of schedule, coupled with the intense physical endurance they're also experiencing. It was simply mind boggling, but very admirable.

I found this a fascinating read; my only complaint is that I wish it were longer! I wanted the story to continue a little bit after Libby crossed the finish line in Nome!