There was a time when people thrived in living among, not against, nature. There was a time when people reveled in a world without television, mobile (or cellular) phones, television or computers. Sorry messers Gates, Jobs, et al, there really was such a time!

Ralph Williams's story seems now to be only great fiction, for his feats are every bit as phenomenal as are those now shown on the big screen. Still, even though they may seem to be fiction, I can assure you they are most certainly true. Furthermore, great as they were, his successes were not that far different from many other folks of that time.

My grandfather emigrated to North America from Norway about the same time Williams moved to Canada's British Columbia. In fact, while he trapped in B.C. Grandfather may well have met Williams. Anyway, grandfather married after a few years and moved to California where he tried to homestead a quarter section that is now part of a famous ranch on a fork of the Kern River in the Sierra Nevada mountain range.

Alas, the Great Depression happened along and Grandpa was told by his kin to either homestead, or stay working at their glass factory in South Gate in southeast Los Angeles. For the sake of his family he gave up the homestead and told fellow homesteaders goodbye.

That winter a terrible blizzard struck the homesteaders. Grandpa raced his motorcycle the few hundred miles to the foothills of the mountains. He then cross-country ski'd food to the stranded folks - covering a distance of 17 miles from valley floor (perhaps 2,000 foot elevation) to the farmers at some 8,000 foot high. Such a feat is reminiscent of Williams in this great classic Crusoe of Lonesome Lake.

After you read this book, get a copy of Three Against The Wilderness by Eric Collier. Both titles are worthy of collection and reading time and again!

As a teenager (a few decades ago) this book, like no other, appealed to my sense of adventure and love of the outdoors. The passion and persistence with which Mr. Edwards crafted his dreams were a lingering source of inspiration to me. I have purchased several used copies of this book and given them to each of my three sons as well as relatives and friends - all of whom have loved the book!

I am 15 years old and I first read this book about four years ago. My mum was given it as a present after helping a family friend to move from Vancouver Island to the mainland. I have always been interested in the outdoor life and this book has really shown me that whatever it is in life you dream of just work hard at it and you will eventually realise your dream. The book was also a great acount of how man is able to work with nature and not against it. This is the best book I will ever read and should be compulsory reading for everyone!