Remembering Ruben Gaines

Ruben Gaines defined Alaska for local Alaskans through his broadcasts, writings, poetry and cartoons. Ruben created a mythical icon, Chilkoot Charlie, who gained notoriety when it became name of a world renowned rustic saloon in Anchorage, Chilkoot Charlie's, owned by Mike Gordon. Mike wrote a book, DAGNABIT!, that talks about Ruben Gaines and 25 year friendship. You'll find Mike's books and interviews on our Big Alaska Show Book Review section!

Ruben's son, Phil Gaines, also joins us to share stories about his dad and entertaining stories about Ruben Gaines!

Check out the podcast!

Alaska Authors, Coffee and Book Reviews!

Book Review Section!

Today's show featured Stan Jones and Mike Gordon. Stan writes mystery fiction. Mike Gordon writes non-fiction but it's a mystery he's survived!

Two authors whose new books you'll find on our Big Alaska Show Book Review Section, http://www.bigalaskashow.com/book-reviews.

Authors, Lolo Paige and Chris Lundgren, joined the fun as our panel of author experts! Good books, good fun on our show this morning!            

Dagnabit! by Mike Gordon

We're fortunate Mike Gordon wrote this book. Not just because his life is colorful and filled with entertaining Alaskan stories that morph over the decades into legend.  We're fortunate because Mike Gordon has kept Ruben Gaines' legacy alive.

A broadcaster, writer, cartoonist, creative storyteller, mentor and close friend to Mike, Ruben Gaines helped define Alaska's character.

Just like his first book, Learning the Ropes, Mike's writing style is comfortable, fun to read and takes you from a Rustic Alaskan Saloon to the 7 tallest peaks in 7 continents. Plus, makes you wish you had met Ruben Gaines! https://www.mikegordonauthor.com/store

Check out the podcast interview!                                                                                                                           

Ghost Light by Stan Jones                                                                                                                                                           

Stan Jones blends Alaska culture, fiction and mystery making it hard to believe it's not non-fiction! Might as well be. As Stan was telling us, "With the help of a demented Alaska Native elder, Chukchi police chief Nathan Active hunts for the killer who left a woman's expertly dismembered body in the ice cellar of an abandoned Inupiat Eskimo fish camp."

There's more good stuff. Read the book! You can find it here on Amazon!

Listen to Stan talk about his book along with authors, Lolo Paige and Chris Lundgren!

Climbing Adventures

Great way to spend a Saturday! Authors Mike Gordon and Andy Hall share climbing tales from their books: Learning the Ropes: An Alaskan Memoir by

Mike Gordon and Denali’s Howl: The Deadliest Climbing Disaster on America’s Wildest Peak by Andy Hall.

Each shares experience adventures you’ll find in our Big Alaska Show Book Review Section!

The Big Alaska Show Book Reviews

Hear the full show podcast!

Mike and Shelli have lived an amazing Alaskan adventure and share it in this book!

Learning the Ropes: An Alaskan Memoir

Hear Mike Gordon about his book and some climbing adventures!

Denali’s Howl by Andy Hall

Andy Hall talks about his book and Denali’s deadliest climbing accident!

Denali’s Howl: The Deadliest Climbing Disaster on America’s Wildest Peak

Learning the Ropes!

Mike Gordon talks about his entertaining and inspirational book, “Learning the Ropes: An Alaskan Memoir”.

Mike Gordon had created the most popular nightclub in Alaska, Chilkoot Charlie's. But his personal life was in shambles - drug addiction, failed marriages and about to lose another. So he decided to turn his life around. And boy did he ever! Seven summits on the highest mountains on 7 continents, 15 marathons and 48 years after leaving college went back to get his BA and M.A. His M.A. thesis was his book.

Visit Mike Gordon’s website for an autographed copy! www.mikegordonauthor.com.

Hear the podcast!
(The Zoom quality varies, our apologies, but overall some gold nuggets!)