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Wild Men, Wild Alaska: Finding What Lies Beyond the Limits | 
 enlarge | Author: Rocky Mcelveen
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Category: Book
List Price: $22.99
Buy New: $9.36
You Save: $13.63 (59%)
New (6) Used (8) from $9.36
Rating:  47 reviews
Sales Rank: 494716
Format: Bargain Price
Media: Hardcover
Pages: 224
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.6
Dimensions (in): 9.1 x 5.8 x 1
Dewey Decimal Number: 248.842
ASIN: B001CJS686
Publication Date: August 8, 2006
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Brand new! Beautiful! May have a small remainder mark (ink mark) along the edge. gift quality, crisp, clean, multiple copies available, prompt shipping, excellent service.
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Product Description
In Wild Men, Wild Alaska professional hunting and fishing guide and outfitter Rocky McElveen tells the stories of his own adventures as well as those of some of his well-known clients. The book takes readers directly into the Alaskan bush, and shares the intense challenges of a majestic wilderness that pushes a man to his limits.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 42 more reviews...
 Review of Wild Men, Wild Alaska December 29, 2008
D. Cannon
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
I actually read the book this August while up the Holitna River. In early June I'd traveled from Sleetmute to the Kogrukluk River weir and back a total of four times by boat, each round trip being 280 miles. Then in July and August I went another 600+ miles while doing research on the Holitna, Hoholitna, Chukowan, Kogrukluk and Shotgun Rivers.
Although I found the book entertaining, several fellow biologists simply could not finish it. It's apparent that the intended audience was definitely for people who do not know real Alaska and its challenges...who have not lived here for any length of time. It is unfortunate that unknowing people read things like this and then think that this is what Alaska is really like. Sure it's a rugged place where people can easily get into trouble, where every trip can be an adventure. But the book portrayed Alaska as a dangerous place, with dangerous animals behind every tree. It should not, however, be a dangerous place for experienced individuals. Although the elements and the animals have the potential to harm, the odds of disaster are usually lessened with common sense.
For the most part, many of the rescues involved were due to poor judgment - the most obvious being the jet boat incident. There was no reason other than ego and ignorance to put oneself, and clients, in that situation. Yes, you are taking chances just by being out in remote Alaska; but again, the danger only increases the more one doesn't demonstrate responsible behavior.
As far as the life threatening snow machine trip to the lodge to check on the burning buildings, a trip of about 35 miles, I've traveled ten times that far in one day on the Kuskokwim without incident. And there are residents (men and women alike) along the Bering Sea coast that travel that far each night in howling blizzards just to play a basketball game in the next village; then they turn around and go back home...in the dark! The dangers that the author encountered on this trip were only brought on by inadequate planning.
Also, as sure as the author is about that huge bear that was shot through the neck with an arrow survived, I'm sure that the "huge" salmon that President George H. Bush kept on the bow of the boat for several minutes did not survive to spawn upon their release. These two incidents do not show the respect that these magnificent creatures deserve.
Now I don't mean to rub salt into a wound, but an example that demonstrates a true lack of foresight is the fact that the author will likely lose his lodge for an unfortunate third time...this time to the river, quite possibly next summer. It's located on the outside of a river bend on the Holitna River that naturally meanders back and forth across the flood plain, which is what all rivers do. Anyone who has flown over this river should know that it is a highly dynamic river system, changing drastically over relatively short periods of time. The riparian corridor is loaded with oxbow lakes and old river channels. Most other establishments have been built on more stable ground. Simply put, this real Alaskan future disaster in the making should not even be a concern.
Overall, I found most stories in this book to be somewhat embellished, particularly when emphasizing the hazards of just being in the outdoors. I've lived in Alaska for ten years and can remember back to my first few excursions where I was definitely inexperienced. Everything about each one seemed larger than life, from the wildlife to the weather, but you soon learn that with proper planning and common sense being outdoors in Alaska isn't that much different than being in a wilderness in Idaho, Montana or Wyoming; it's just bigger...and yes better.
Does not live up to the hype, unfortunately September 21, 2008
David J. Fleming (SLO native in Colorado)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
I purchased this book with high hopes that I had come across something really good. However, upon reading it, I unfortunately became quite disappointed with the man and his book. My main complaint is that he seems to exercise poor judgment in many of his expeditions. He makes many careless mistakes in the wilderness which needlessly jeopardize himself and his clients. One example is where he does not take his rifle with him to the creek knowing there are bears in the area. That is a careless mistake. Any guide worth his weight always carries his gun with him, always. He cited stories of sleeping in blood-stained clothes. That is another careless mistake. He cites examples of harrowing rescues, but most of which occurred due to his poor planning and recklessness with regard to his environment. Most of his scary situations probably could have been avoided if he had shown better judgment and had planned better. I also found his analogies to the faith rather forced. I paraphrase: "Alaska is really tough, so is the Christian walk." Or another example, paraphrasing once again, "There are some nasty people in life who want to get you, just like some mean animals in Alaska." Another criticism is that the book seems to have been written by a 4th grade student. The vocabulary is too basic; sentences are very poorly written throughout the book, i.e., his syntax and morphology. He uses exclamation points and italics almost in every other sentence, which is a substitute for poor writing. I really wanted to like this book, but it was almost insulting that a Christian book is so poorly written. I am wondering how this book made it past the editors in it's published condition. Furthermore, he doesn't seem to have much respect for the beauty of the land and the creatures he is killing. It never seems to enter his mind that he is a steward of God's creation and Alaska is place of unsurpassed rugged beauty. I am not opposed to hunting, but he rarely speaks of conservation or stewardship. I don't want to just disparage the book without offering some solutions. If you want to read a book about real adventure in Alaska, not unnecessary adventure due to carelessness, please read "Alaska's Wolf Man" which is the story of Frank Glaser. You will gain a perspective on Alaskan adventure that you will not get from "Wild Men, Wild Alaska." I am sure Rocky is a great guy, but he is a careless guide. Most of his mistakes are careless mistakes that someone with a fair amount of rugged wilderness experience would never make. If you want real adventure, head off to Sweden for moose hunting or to Norway for reindeer hunting with a Laplander. Wild at Heart was a good, not great, book on the idea of men discovering their passion, but this one is exploitative of this new genre.
 Great Book Fun Read August 7, 2008
James A. Hadley (Scotts Valley, CA)
I enjoyed the book, I'm not real big on long drawn out reads, however I had a hard time putting it down. Rocky used true-life stories told with a good sense of humor and compassion as well as relating to larger life issues. The book gave me a bit of the feel of Alaska and how wild it can be.
I also spent a week up at Rocky's Lodge in July with my Dad, 3 Brothers, and all the sons and nephews 13 in all. We caught many fish (released most of them) along with some great fun with Rocky's family guides and staff. The accommodations of the lodge and the food were incredible.
Can't wait for the next book!
Pure fun July 10, 2008
Paul S. Sagan
I picked up this book at the recommendation of a friend. I could not put it down. It tells one hair raising, exciting, interesting, and amusing Alaskan adventure story after another. I especially loved the story of President Bush tweaking the big Austrians and their star fishing guide with one amazing catch after another.
This book is much more than a collection of hunting and fishing stories though --it is the story of a passionate man, with the support of a long suffering, loving wife pursuing his calling with everything God has given him. This book captures the pure fun of living life to the fullest and bringing others along to share in the experience. It is obvious that the great delight of the author is to have others experience the joys of the Alaskan wilderness with him. This book is written in a way that allows many of us to vicariously share in the fun at a safe distance from grizzly bears and near fatal plane wrecks and boat crashes.
Vintage Rocky McElveen, the great communicator June 6, 2008
Sherman Williams
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
I found this book to be refreshing, honest, creative, vulnerable and challenging. Even if you're not an outdoorsman par excellance like the author, his style draws you into the great adventures of Alaska. I not only appreciated the raw realities of hunting expeditions, but also the tender realities that were revealed in the partnership Rocky has with his wife, Sharon. Here's a good read. Enjoy!!!
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