Synopses & Reviews
Nunavut tigummiun Hold on to the land It was just fifty years ago that the territory of Alaska officially became the state of Alaska. But no matter who has staked their claim to the land, it has always had a way of enveloping souls in its vast, icy embrace. For William L. Iggiagruk Hensley, Alaska has been his home, his identity, and his cause. Born on the shores of Kotzebue Sound, twenty-nine miles north of the Arctic Circle, he was raised to live the traditional, seminomadic life that his Inupiaq ancestors had lived for thousands of years. It was a life of cold and of constant effort, but Hensley's people also reaped the bounty that nature provided. In Fifty Miles from Tomorrow, Hensley offers us the rare chance to immerse ourselves in a firsthand account of growing up Native Alaskan. There have been books written about Alaska, but they've been written by Outsiders, settlers. Hensley's memoir of life on the tundra offers an entirely new perspective, and his stories are captivating, as is his account of his devotion to the Alaska Native land claims movement. As a young man, Hensley was sent by missionaries to the Lower Forty-eight so he could pursue an education. While studying there, he discovered that the land Native Alaskans had occupied and, to all intents and purposes, owned for millennia was being snatched away from them. Hensley decided to fight back. In 1971, after years of Hensley's tireless lobbying, the United States government set aside 44 million acres and nearly $1 billion for use by Alaska's native peoples. Unlike their relatives to the south, the Alaskan peoples would be able to take charge of their economic and political destiny. The landmark decision did not come overnight and was certainly not the making of any one person. But it was Hensley who gave voice to the cause and made it real. Fifty Miles from Tomorrow is not only the memoir of one man; it is also a fascinating testament to the resilience of the Alaskan ilitqusiat, the Alaskan spirit.
Review
“[A] riveting autobiography. . . told here with a Far Northern twist and an intimacy with the land and the heart.”Timothy Egan,
The New York Times Book Review"Hensley's life has followed a remarkable and inspiring arc. . . . This book is his chance to celebrate and strengthen the spirit of his own people."--Jeff Baker, The Oregonian “Illuminating . . . an entertaining and affecting portrait of a man and his extraordinary milieu.” The Washington Post “Mr. Hensleys account of what its like to grow up in the far north, fifty miles from the International Date Line, is rarely less than gripping.”--Dwight Garner, The New York Times "On one level, this strongly written and evocative book is the story of a man, his peoplethe Iñupiat, or ‘the real peopleand their world and culture. On another, its the story of the politics of land use and energy development." The Washington Times “A compelling tale of doing what had to be done and recognizing the spiritual depth and profound love it takes to become a real person in Alaska, or anywhere else.” Bookforum “An enlightening, affirmative look at Inuit culture and history by a devoted champion.” Kirkus Reviews “Although this fascinating memoir is set hundreds of miles from where most Americans have ever dared to travel, Hensley brings to life this ‘little-known part of America through myriad tales of toil, triumph and the Inupiat Ilitqusiatthe Inupiat spirit. . . . Through his entire adult life, Hensleys mission has been simple: to ensure the Inupiat are allowed to keep their rights and their land. There are rich details of hunting adventures and typical childhood struggles, but the deep-rooted values and strength of the Inupiat people are what make this work truly sing.” Publishers Weekly, Pick of the week Oline H. Cogdill - Kristine Huntley - Daniel Mallory - David Pitt - Charles Bracelen Flood - Ramsey Campbell - Maggie Shayne - L.A. Banks - Kelley Armstrong - Katherine Ramsland - Joe R. Lansdale - Heather Graham - Cory Doctorow - C.J. Henderson - Kirkus - Anthony Quinn - Gahan Wilson - John Fowles - Anthony Quinn - Gahan Wilson - John Fowles - Gene Lyons - Jon Winokur - Neil Walsh - Andrew Leonard - Stephen R. Donaldson - Michael A. Stackpole - Glen Cook - Neil Walsh - Andrew Leonard - Stephen R. Donaldson - Michael A. Stackpole - Glen Cook - Neil Walsh - Stephen R. Donaldson - Jacqueline Carey - Glen Cook - Elizabeth Haydon - David Drake - Dr. Lewis G. Maharam, medical director for the New York City Marathon - Danielle Ofri M.D., Ph.D, author of Singular Intimacies: Becoming a Doctor at B - Jane Brody's "Personal Health" column in The New York Times - Ulick O'Connor - Michael Billington - Michael Coveney - Sir Ian McKellen - Blender Magazine - Yoga Journal - The Financial Times (London) - The Guardian (London) - The Sunday Independent (London) - Los Angeles Times - New York Times Book Review - Newsweek - Booklist - Kirkus Reviews - Publishers Weekly (starred) - SF Site - The Dallas Morning News - New York Observer - Booklist - Kirkus Reviews - Publishers Weekly - The New York Times Book Review - USA Today - Salon.com - SF Site - The Good Book Guide - Publishers Weekly - Salon.com - SF Site - The Good Book Guide - Kirkus Reviews - Booklist - Booklist - Romantic Times Bookclub - Booklist - Kirkus Reviews - Booklist, starred review - Publishers Weekly, starred review - San Francisco Chronicle - School Library Journal, starred review - Atlantic Monthly - Houston Post - Library Journal - Los Angeles Times Book Review - Miami Herald - Newsweek - Philadelphia Inquirer - Publishers Weekly - The Chicago Tribune - The New York Times - The Washington Post - Booklist - Interzone - Science Fiction Chronicle - VOYA - Cassandra King, author of The Sunday Wife - Deborah Smith, New York Times bestselling author of A Place to Call Home - Haywood Smith, New York Times bestselling author of the Red Hat Club series - Joshilyn Jackson, author of Gods in Alabama - Larry Habegger, editor, Travelers' Tales Paris - Entertainment Weekly - Kirkus - New Scientist - Newsday - Publishers Weekly - Realms of Fantasy - San Francisco Chronicle - The Sunday Times - The Washington Post - Time Out London - Wired - Library Journal - Entertainment Weekly - Kirkus - New Scientist - Newsday - Publishers Weekly - Realms of Fantasy - San Francisco Chronicle - The Sunday Times - The Washington Post - Time Out London - Wired - Interzone - Library Journal - SF Site - Kirkus - Booklist - Publishers Weekly - USA Today - Library Journal - Publishers Weekly - SciFiDimensions.com - Enigma - SF Site - author of Lee, The Last Years - Australian Bookseller and Publisher - Australian Jewish News - Marie Claire (Australia) - Vogue (Australia) - Enigma - SF Site - Booklist - The Washington Post - Library Journal - Booklist - Richmond Times-Dispatch - Booklist - South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Review
“[A] riveting autobiography. . . told here with a Far Northern twist and an intimacy with the land and the heart.”—Timothy Egan,
The New York Times Book Review"Hensley's life has followed a remarkable and inspiring arc. . . . This book is his chance to celebrate and strengthen the spirit of his own people."--Jeff Baker, The Oregonian “Illuminating . . . an entertaining and affecting portrait of a man and his extraordinary milieu.” —The Washington Post “Mr. Hensleys account of what its like to grow up in the far north, fifty miles from the International Date Line, is rarely less than gripping.”--Dwight Garner, The New York Times "On one level, this strongly written and evocative book is the story of a man, his people—the Iñupiat, or ‘the real people—and their world and culture. On another, its the story of the politics of land use and energy development." —The Washington Times “A compelling tale of doing what had to be done and recognizing the spiritual depth and profound love it takes to become a real person in Alaska, or anywhere else.” —Bookforum “An enlightening, affirmative look at Inuit culture and history by a devoted champion.” —Kirkus Reviews “Although this fascinating memoir is set hundreds of miles from where most Americans have ever dared to travel, Hensley brings to life this ‘little-known part of America through myriad tales of toil, triumph and the Inupiat Ilitqusiat—the Inupiat spirit. . . . Through his entire adult life, Hensleys mission has been simple: to ensure the Inupiat are allowed to keep their rights and their land. There are rich details of hunting adventures and typical childhood struggles, but the deep-rooted values and strength of the Inupiat people are what make this work truly sing.” —Publishers Weekly, Pick of the week
Synopsis
A NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW EDITORS' CHOICE
An alternately charming and harrowing account of over 50 years of one remarkable native Alaskan's life - from living off the land north of the Arctic Circle, to the Alaskan senate, Hensely is a huge hero to his community.
Born twenty-nine miles north of the arctic circle, William L. Iggiagruk Hensley was raised to live the seminomadic life that his I upiaq ancestors had lived for thousands of years. In this stirring memoir, he offers us a rare firsthand account of growing up Native Alaskan, and later, in the lower forty-eight, as a fearless advocate for Native land rights. In 1971, after years of tirelessly lobbying the United States government, he played a key role in a landmark victory that enabled the Inupiaq to take charge of their economic and political destiny. Fifty Miles from Tomorrow is "a joyous celebration of Hensley's life among the I upiaq people and of fighting for their rights" (Library Journal).
Synopsis
Born 29 miles north of the Arctic Circle, Hensley was raised to live the traditional, seminomadic life that his Inupiaq ancestors had lived for thousands of years. The author offers a firsthand account of what life is like growing up Native Alaskan.
Synopsis
A
NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW EDITORS' CHOICE
Born twenty-nine miles north of the arctic circle, William L. Iggiagruk Hensley was raised to live the seminomadic life that his Iñupiaq ancestors had lived for thousands of years. In this stirring memoir, he offers us a rare firsthand account of growing up Native Alaskan, and later, in the lower forty-eight, as a fearless advocate for Native land rights. In 1971, after years of tirelessly lobbying the United States government, he played a key role in a landmark victory that enabled the Inupiaq to take charge of their economic and political destiny. Fifty Miles from Tomorrow is "a joyous celebration of Hensley's life among the Iñupiaq people and of fighting for their rights" (Library Journal).
Synopsis
An alternately charming and harrowing account of over 50 years of one remarkable native Alaskans life - from living off the land north of the Arctic Circle, to the Alaskan senate, Hensely is a huge hero to his community.
About the Author
William L. Iggiagruk Hensley was a founder of the Northwest Alaska Native Association and spent twenty years working for its successor, the Iñuit-owned NANA Regional Corporation. He also helped establish the Alaska Federation of Natives in 1966 and has served as its director, executive director, president, and cochair. He spent ten years in the Alaska state legislature as a representative and senator, and recently retired from his position in Washington, D.C., as manager of federal government relations for Alyeska Pipeline Service Company. Hensley and his wife, Abigale, live in Anchorage, where—now an Iñupiat elder—he is the chair of the First Alaskans Institute.