The Final Frontiersman: Heimo Korth and His Family, Alone in Alaska's Arctic Wilderness
Product ID: 1652583
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The inspiration for The Last Alaskans —the hit documentary series now on the Discovery+—James Campbell’s inimitable insider account of a family’s nomadic life in the unshaped Arctic wilderness “is an icily gripping, intimate profile that stands up well beside Krakauer’s classic [ Into the Wild ], and it stands too, as a kind of testament to the rough beauty of improbably wild dreams” ( Men’s Journal ). Hundreds of hardy people have tried to carve a living in the Alaskan bush, but few have succeeded as consistently as Heimo Korth. Originally from Wisconsin, Heimo traveled to the Arctic wilderness in his twenties. Now, more than three decades later, Heimo lives with his wife and two daughters approximately 200 miles from civilization—a sustainable, nomadic life bounded by the migrating caribou, the dangers of swollen rivers, and by the very exigencies of daily existence. In The Final Frontiersman , Heimo’s cousin James Campbell chronicles the Korth family’s amazing experience, their adventures, and the tragedy that continues to shape their lives. With a deft voice and in spectacular, at times unimaginable detail, Campbell invites us into Heimo’s heartland and home. The Korths wait patiently for a small plane to deliver their provisions, listen to distant chatter on the radio, and go sledding at 44 degrees below zero—all the while cultivating the hard-learned survival skills that stand between them and a terrible fate. Awe-inspiring and memorable, The Final Frontiersman reads like a rustic version of the American Dream and reveals for the first time a life undreamed by most of us: amid encroaching environmental pressures, apart from the herd, and alone in a stunning wilderness that for now, at least, remains the final frontier. Review: good read. - Interesting way of life. It was good to get an inside look at the different choices people make. Would recommend Review: Interesting reading. - Enjoyed reading Heimo’s story after seeing The Last Alaskans television show.
| Best Sellers Rank | #219,197 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #22 in Artic Polar Region Travel Guides #177 in Pacific West United States Travel Books #267 in Survival Biographies |
| Customer Reviews | 4.7 out of 5 stars 3,209 Reviews |
T**X
good read.
Interesting way of life. It was good to get an inside look at the different choices people make. Would recommend
A**R
Interesting reading.
Enjoyed reading Heimo’s story after seeing The Last Alaskans television show.
A**R
A Very Unique Couple
I have seen the Korths featured in the TV series, The Last Alaskans. Of the people featured in that show, I took a special liking to Heimo and Edna. Both were so capable in every endeavor undertaken, but the love and concern for each other and their daughters was quite striking. This book provided me with a deeper knowledge of Heimo’s and Edna’s roots. He learned from being mistreated by his father to never treat anyone you love with nothing but love and understanding. This resonates with every TV episode. I admire their relationship and their treatment of others.
B**N
Enjoyed it!!
A genuinely great read!!
D**R
The last frontiersman
James Campbell, who happens to be Heimo Korth’s cousin spent several months living with Heimo and Edna in the Artic national wildlife refuge. His writing does an excellent job in describing how Heimo lives with his wife. I’ve been reading numerous books about individuals living in the bush, and Heimo, without doubt, lives the most rustic lifestyle of anyone I’ve read about. I watched the show the last Alaskans and from reading this book, it just verifies the fact that these individuals really live in extreme conditions in Alaska, James Campbell, and his daughter later goes back to Alaska and canoes a river to the arctic ocean. That is also a very good Book to read.
B**N
Wilderness Family Struggles
I first saw the Last Alaskans reality series on TV. This book fills in all the details and much, much more. First it is one of the best accounts of how unbelievably difficult it is to LIVE in Alaska's wilderness all year, especially with a family! It's the hazardous and unpredictable weather, difficulty earning money to provide for supplies and transportation, dangerous animals and rivers/terrain and the unpredictable availability of meat and fur. But the most difficult is raising a family there. This true story is the struggle of one man to balance his powerful love for this kind of living off the land vs his love of family and providing the needs of his wife and children. Particularly, the children need contact with people and a good education to enable them to make a choice of how they want to live once on their own. The balancing of sacrifices of adults vs children's needs makes a familiar struggle, although in the extreme here to most families on the grid The author does a great job telling the story in a style that never bores. This story is for dreamers, outdoor couples, adventure lovers, parents, and has much in adventure and food for thought for anyone and everyone! Highly recommended!
T**Y
Heimo
Great adventure
L**K
I love the book and I love this guys lifestyle.
I first order this book in paper back. I liked it so much I ordered another copy in hard cover. We all have a favorite movie we watch time and time again over the years. I have read this book three time and enjoy it every time. Heimo Korth is an amazing man and has enjoyed a lifestyle I have longed for, but life sent me off my course. I live vicariously through his adventures in an unspoiled land bathed in the beauty only Mother Nature can provide. Cold and dangerous, this book brings to life a real life adventure and visualizes and land unspoiled by man kind... j
A**L
Sehr empfehlenswert!
höchst interessant!
M**D
A down to earth read !
Really enjoyed this book ! A lot of effort needed to read between the line's but well worth it ! Felt like I was really involved with this family ! A great read loved it !
A**Y
Great Read
Awesome book. Heimo is truly the final frontiersman. I initially bought it because I am also an outdoor enthusiast and really enjoyed watching Heimo on the show 'The Last Alaskans' which was on Discovery Channel. This book tells a great story about Heimos up bringing and life story as well as current everyday life up in the Bush!
G**S
Great read about a fantastic family
I have had this book for many years and have read it many times. My recent purchase was for one of my adult sons so he can get the same enjoyment from it as I have. It is a fantastic read and a book that once you start you cant put it down. Highly recommend.
V**Y
It takes courage and love!
Heimo and family are one of the last families making it as bush people! Different lives that take us in nature as we enjoy reading and disconnect from our own stressful lives!
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