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Winterdance: The Fine Madness of Running the Iditarod [Paperback]

Gary Paulsen
4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (227 customer reviews)

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Book Description

February 17, 1995
Paulsen and his team of dogs endured snowstorms, frostbite, dogfights, moose attacks, sleeplessness, and hallucinations in the relentless push to go on. Map and color photographs.

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Winterdance: The Fine Madness of Running the Iditarod + Woodsong + The River
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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Fueled by a passion for running dogs, Gary Paulsen entered the Iditarod--the 1150-mile winter sled-dog race between Anchorage and Nome-- in dangerous ignorance and with a fierce determination. Winterdance is his account of this seventeen-day battle against Nature's worst elements and his own frailty.

From Publishers Weekly

Acclaimed children's book author Paulsen offers a gripping account of his experience running the 1180 mile Iditarod dogsled race.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

  • Paperback: 272 pages
  • Publisher: Mariner Books (February 17, 1995)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0156001454
  • ISBN-13: 978-0156001458
  • Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.9 x 9.2 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (227 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #20,809 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Gary Paulsen is one of the most honored writers of contemporary literature for young readers. He has written more than one hundred book for adults and young readers, and is the author of three Newberry Honor titles: Dogsong, Hatchet, and The Winter Room. He divides his time among Alaska, New Mexico, Minnesota, and the Pacific.

Amazon Author Rankbeta 

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#45 in Books > Teens
#45 in Books > Teens

Customer Reviews

I highly recommend this book fo all to read. Julia Johnson  |  63 reviewers made a similar statement
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
75 of 77 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars I haven't laughed so hard in years! March 10, 2004
By Monika
Format:Hardcover
I made the grave mistake of trying to read this book while on a public bus. It wasn't long before I realized the folly in this, as I repeatedly had to stifle the wild guffaws that threatened to pour forth without my consent. The other passengers probably came to the conclusion that I was either very sick or slightly deranged as I rocked back and forth in my seat and tried to pretend that I was, in fact, merely coughing. Gary Paulsen has offered us one of the most hilarious accounts of running the Iditarod that I have ever come across.

Living in Minnesota, Paulsen had a small team of five dogs that he used to work his traplines. Over time he became more and more entranced with mushing, until he eventually realized that wanted to, needed to, run the Iditarod - the 1,100+ mile dogsled race stretching across the state of Alaska between Anchorage and Nome. The first half of the book deals with his preparation for the race - finding more dogs, training the dogs, getting the right equipment, etc. We soon see that he has quite a bit to learn. Over the course of this training period, Paulsen finds himself attacked by dogs, run away with by dogs, and often spending many miles being dragged along on the ground behind his sled by dogs. He manages to break his sled repeatedly, get separated from his team, and one night, get sprayed by five different skunks in rapid succession. He is, in short, one of the least qualified of all possible Iditarod candidates.

The second half of the book takes us through the race itself. In the beginning, he makes every possible rookie mistake. He gets lost before even leaving the city of Anchorage, after putting the wrong animal in the lead-dog position:

"We went through people's yards, ripped down fences, knocked over garbage cans....

Much of the first half of the race is a series of such uproarious follies. Unbeknownst to him at the time, the other mushers had voted Paulsen the least likely competitor to get out of Anchorage. But he eventually did, and he ultimately manages to muddle his way through the entire race. As the journey goes on, the book becomes a little more serious as we see Paulsen undergo a transformation. He learns about himself, about the dogs, and about life. He feels himself become one with the frozen world of the north, eventually feeling more at home there that he had with his wife and family in Minnesota.

There are sad parts, too. We see a beloved dog trampled to death by a moose before the first day is over. Unfortunately, this is not an uncommon occurence. Moose do not yield the right-of-way to dog teams, and can be extremely dangerous when upset. We also see a maddened musher kill one of his own dogs in a fit of rage. Killing or abusing dogs during the race is strictly prohibited, and the man was duly disqualified, but I still found this the hardest part of the book to read.

'Winterdance' is a magnificent story of a man following his dream and gaining a wealth of knowledge about himself and the world. Paulsen's easy, self-deprecating humor and vivid verbal imagery bring the story to life. It is also a fast read - I finished the book in one day. I have rarely read anything that has made me laugh so hard, or that has moved me so much by the end. Growing up in Alaska, I always watched the Iditarod start in Anchorage. I've met some of the winning mushers. But Paulsen's story is entirely unique. He was not a race champion or mushing hero, but the rankest rookie out there. And yet he endears himself to our hearts. For any fan of dog mushing, wilderness survival stories, or both, I recommend this book without hesitation. Read more ›

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33 of 36 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
Winterdance by Gary Paulsen is an absolutely fascinating and entertaining depiction about how one man lives out his dream of running in the Iditarod sled-dog race. From the moment we meet Gary and his dog team in a winter storm in Minnesota till the time he gets dragged down Dalzell Gorge in Alaska, his optimism, his observations and his relationship with his dogs keeps one glued to the pages of this book.

Paulsen's personal account is easy reading in that he does not dwell in complex literary style, use large words or go overboard in describing deep characters or flowery scenery. He merely relates what he sees and feels. Often his mission is just staying alive and attached to his sled. His descriptions about his summer training with a bicycle and a car body leave you laughing out loud and in wonder about his perseverance and dedication to his dream" You look like a toy", Ruth (his wife) said as I came back from being dragged out of the yard on my face, hanging on to the overturned rig. " A big doggie toy...."Out of the first twenty runs, I didn't once leave the yard in one piece." His sense of humor is overwhelming as he tackles training a dog team without any instruction, without a book or manual but only his desire to run dogs to keep him going. `In subsequent runs I left the yard on my face, my ass, my back, my belly. I dragged for a mile, two miles, three miles. I lost the team eight, ten times; walked twelve, seventeen, once forty-some miles looking for them. The rig broke every time we ran....
... Read more ›
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28 of 31 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars The fine madness of running the Iditarod July 19, 2002
Format:Paperback
This book packs quite a punch. Each chapter ended with this reader wincing for the author, who had just spent the night stumbling through a Minnesota swamp, his eyes almost swollen shut from mosquito bites, searching for his runaway dog team, or had been blown down an Alaskan mountainside with his team, in the midst of a blinding snowstorm.

Not to mention the five-skunk night.

It takes a great deal of physical as well as mental toughness to train for the Iditarod, much less run a team of half-wild dogs in the actual race.

"Winterdance" reminds me of Algernon Blackwood's "Wendigo:" in both stories men are caught by the spirit of the Great Northern Wilderness, and perish or almost perish. I think the most telling moment in Paulsen's book comes when he runs his team to the end of his trapline---and then keeps on going in the dead of a Minnesota winter, just to see what lies beyond the next hill. His wife's intuition to call out a search team was correct, even though Paulsen eventually did turn back. The 'Wendigo' or wanderlust had almost captured his soul.

It also reminds me of "Call of the Wild." Like Jack London, Paulsen has a laconic, fluid writing style, and both authors include the Wilderness itself as one of their major characters. I won't say that either man subscribed to Blackwood's weird brand of pantheistic mysticism, but read how Paulsen slowly bonds with his dogs--and other wild animals.

This book is also a grand dog story with more pratfalls than a "Three Stooges" movie. The author spent many a night on his backside, being dragged down a dirt road (or worse, through a second-growth forest) by his lusty team.... Read more ›

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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars really good book
This is a really good book. It made a very nice gift for a young friend of mine. You'll be happy if you try it.
Published 2 days ago by JavaGirl
5.0 out of 5 stars my favorite book
a zillion 'stars' for this extremely well written and wonderfully told real life adventure. His love and insight into his dogs, their mishaps and heroism and humor, love... Read more
Published 26 days ago by L. Thompson
5.0 out of 5 stars Hilarious, Tragic, Engaging
Paulsen's writing style is sterling. This is a fabulous adventure story for all ages. Perfect gift for any dog lover.
Published 1 month ago by Kristi Fredrickson
5.0 out of 5 stars I love this book!
This is one of the funniest books I have ever read, and knowing it is a true story makes it funnier. At the same time it is also sad, you might need some tissues.
Published 1 month ago by Patricia
5.0 out of 5 stars Hilarious humdinger!
I thought this book was something other than what it ultimately was, it was funny! Gary Paulsen uses his skill to amuse, transport and delight us on his journey. Good read.
Published 1 month ago by L. Rodriguez-knowle
3.0 out of 5 stars Not for me
It's an okay book for young adults who find the idea of the Iditarod something to put on their "bucket list". Read more
Published 2 months ago by annieg
5.0 out of 5 stars Winterdance, a wild ride!
I was not bored for one second wit this book. Paulsen is a great storyteller and lover of the dog world! A great sense of humor too!
Published 2 months ago by S. Mcginley
5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT BOOK FOR EVERYONE . . . NOT JUST TEENS!
I have always been interested in the Iditarod,(I love the arctic breeds and we currently own a Samoyed, or rather he owns us -- heart and soul! Read more
Published 2 months ago by Haddin Hattie
5.0 out of 5 stars Winterdance = dance of life, love and laughter....
Gary Paulsen has written a magnificent book on a + 1000 mile race across one of the most unforgiving terrains on earth and before that sets out for us, with laugh out loud humor,... Read more
Published 2 months ago by Dudley Ristow
5.0 out of 5 stars awesome
i bought this and started reading and coulndt put it down. great book, great read. fast shipping. you will not be dissapointed
Published 2 months ago by Missclassy
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