July 05, 2020

Learning the Ropes: An Alaskan Memoir

July 05, 2020/ Steve Stripling

Mike's Book from Joe Columbus - Photoshopped.jpg

Learning the Ropes: An Alaskan Memoir

By Mike Gordon

Mike’s story is the Last Frontier’s entertaining version of the Odyssey. Mike created and operated one of the most successful nightclub saloons in the world, Chilkoot Charlie’s.

Opening in 1970 and for the next 45 years before retiring, Mike went through the cash rich Alaska Pipeline years, boom and bust economies, fought the Hell’s Angels, drugs and personal demons, climbed the seven tallest mountains in seven continents, went back to college after 48 years away from it to get his B.A. and M.A. But wait, there’s more!

Hear Mike’s interview!

The book can be purchased from his website or from Amazon

Look inside and buy it on Amazon

March 21, 2020

The Man Who Sold Alaska/The Man Who Bought Alaska - Mike Dunham

March 21, 2020/ Steve Stripling

The Man Who Sold Alaska

A short biography of Tsar Alexander II of Russia focusing on the sale of Alaska to America in the context of the other major events of his life.

Look inside and buy it on Amazon

The Man Who Bought Alaska

A short biography of William H. Seward, the man who bought Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million dollars. The first biography of Seward written by an Alaskan, Mike Dunham, and the first to focus on the purchase in the context of his other achievements, this is the story of a patriot, gambler and 19th century visionary who saw the world from a remarkably modern perspective.

Look inside and buy it on Amazon

August 10, 2019

3 Books from the Wild — Bob Bell

August 10, 2019/ Big Alaska Show

As a longtime Alaskan outdoorsman and pilot, Bob Bell’s life is packed with fishing and hunting tales. What makes Bob’s outdoor tales so unique - he’s had so many close calls that almost cut his life short he had to write more than one book!

September 15, 2018

Cowboys of the Sky – by Steve Levi

September 15, 2018/ Perry Alexander

Steve Levi’s book, Cowboys of the Sky: The Story of Alaska’s Bush Pilots, is a fun read that could easily pass as fiction. But danged if these aren’t true tales! Alaska’s story is the story of aviation. Listen to our entertaining interview with Steve talking about his book. Then go buy it!

September 10, 2016

To Russia with Love – by Vic Fischer

September 10, 2016/ Perry Alexander

Vic Fischer’s life story reads like a real-life Forrest Gump, with appearances by Lenin, Stalin, Hitler, Eleanor Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, Saul Alinsky and many more, together with everyone in the whole history of Alaska from statehood to the present day. A great read by a great Alaskan.

June 11, 2016

Chuck Sassara's Alaska: Propellers, Politics & People — by Chuck Sassara

June 11, 2016/ Perry Alexander

Aviation built Alaska with people like Chuck Sassara. His career is remarkable in and outside Alaska. To hear him tell his own story on our podcast is a treat that takes us back with his first-hand account of what it was like to fly in Alaska in the ‘50s and ‘60s.

March 12, 2016

Denali’s Howl — by Andy Hall

March 12, 2016/ Perry Alexander

Andy Hall was only 5 years old in 1967 when 7 of 12 climbers died on Denali, it’s worst climbing disaster. His father was Superintendent of the Park (then McKinley Park) where Andy and the family lived.

April 25, 2015

Fifty Miles from Tomorrow — by Willie Hensley

April 25, 2015/ Perry Alexander

Willie’s impact on Alaska both economically and culturally is profound. Willie’s account is inspirational of his growing up from a Native Alaskan to a politically charged leader championing native rights and a key figure in the landmark Native land claim rights.