Running North is an excellent book for anyone interested in Alaska or mushing. Ann Mariah Cook captures the feel for Alaska and dog sledding perfectly. Even if you have no true interest in the subject you will find your self swept into the wonderful world of dog sledding. Cook clearly brings to life the people they met, friends they made, and the hazards that tried to stop them from running the Yukon Quest. One of the most grueling races in the world. I found I learned a great deal from this book without it ever becoming boring or slowing down. And most importantly she tells about the dogs, the wonderful creatures who work so willingly for us. Sometimes heartbreaking sometime funny, this book is an interesting, exciting read for anyone.

Subtitled, "A Yukon Adventure," Ann Mariah Cook's fascinating 1998 memoir chronicles the time in 1992 that she, her husband George and three-year old daughter moved to Alaska to participate in the Yukon Quest, the toughest sled dog race in the world. It was George who ran the race; Ann was the one who drove the truck, carried the gear, took care of their daughter and gave him moral support through the long months of training, and eventually through the grueling event.

I've read other books about dog mushing, but this one had the unique point of view of a woman who, while not actually on the sled during the race, experienced her own Yukon Quest experience. She writes clearly and honestly, not shying away from the disagreement that she had with the young woman they brought with them to act as the official "handler" of the dogs. She writes about George's experience on the trail, his frostbite, fatigue, narrow escapes and indomitable spirit as he pitted himself against natural forces over which he had little control. She writes about the dogs, their personalities and backgrounds and about the tough choices she and George had to make when it came time to pick the actual team of 12 out of their much larger group. She writes about the people they meet along the way, her Alaskan neighbors, fisherman, storekeepers and the other mushers. And she writes about Alaska itself, making me yearn to experience its beauty and majesty.

There was one small line drawing of the Yukon Quest trail and I kept returning to it again and again as the book moved along and the tension mounted. There is also a photo of Ms. Cook and one of her dogs on the back cover. I wish there were more photos, but I didn't really need them because her descriptions were so clear. Recommended.

Ann Mariah Cook opens up more than one would expect as she leads you from their home in New Hampshire to the rougher world of Two Rivers, Alaska. They're a principled couple, their dogs are Siberian Huskies and they have certain dog-loving standards. They know they're at a disadvantage speedwise to the other teams entered in the Yukon Quest, many with hound-huskie mix packs. They adapt and yet prevail. I am interested in how they differ from the other racers, and wish Ann would have told more about how she and George saw things after the race. Also her vignettes about some of the individual dogs made me want to know more about the dogs.

Ann is understandably wrapped up in the mom thing with 3 year old daughter Katherine. At the same time Ann adapts to Alaskan musher culture, cares for her dogs, and preps husband George's provisions, all the while trying to puzzle out handler, cousin Sandy's behavior changes. There is so much sled dog lore that barely gets touched on. The book is a page turner once the race actually gets on. Ann could have made the book twice as long, because she does such a good job with what she chooses to write about. She needed to tie up loose ends. The only thing that drags is her apparent cluelessness about Sandy.

I checked the Yukon Quest website, and the Cooks didn't make the "most helpful" or the "best dog treater" for the year that George and their pack raced. But it verifies that they were in the race and certain things did happen.