Winterdance: The Fine Madness of Running the Iditarod

This might be the funniest book I've ever read; Paulson takes us through his education as a clueless Iditarod racer, describing the mishaps he experiences throughout his training, and during the race. His dry wit as he described mishap after mishap caused me to shake with laughter as I tried to contain myself on the New York City subway; I had to put the book down several times so that I could "regroup" before the next bout of laughter. His saintly wife acts as his "straight man" as she endures his debacles at the hands of his dogs and whatever nature could throw at him. What also comes across though is the bond he forges with his dogs, especially Cookie, who seems to have a deep understand of Paulson, as well as what is expected of her as he trains; he describes her—and the bond he has with her—with great tenderness and devotion as they come to rely on each other during the course of the book. Whether you love books about animals, books that make you laugh, books about the Iditarod... I would highly recommend this book. I've read a lot of books, and this is one of the best I've ever read.

I was hanging around the house with bronchitis when I picked up my daughter's copy of "Winterdance: the fine madness of running the Iditarod". What a surprise. This is a hilarious book by a driven man. Gary Paulsen and his wife, Ruth, are broke and down on their luck when they move to Northern Minnesota where Gary runs traplines using a dog team and sled. Eventually, he awakens to the idea of running the Iditarod. The book covers his experiences training for the race and then the race itself. His experiences are heart-warming (or perhaps ball-warming as when he sets kitchen matches alight in his pants pocket)and display a determination that's nearly other worldly. But people aren't the main characters in this book, it's the dogs. We eat, sleep and run with the dogs. And it is a learning experience. Gary Paulsen is one tough cookie who brings to life the hardship, wind, snowstorms, frostbite, dog fights, moose attacks, sleeplessness, hallucinations, concussions, physical abuse and brutal reality of the Iditarod. And gives us more: the magnificent beauty of Alaska and the strange, deep relationship that develops between dog and man. This is one of the best outdoor adventure books I've read (and there have been many). I highly recommend it.

Reading this book touches readers in different ways and at different points. Still, this is the favorite read of our book club. Gary Paulsen brings together a variety of elements with maestro talent: the Iditarod Race itself, the Alaskan people and community, the extreme of sled dogs and the ignorant dreams of a crazy adventurer. (Perhaps The Godfather is the only book with a faster start.) The comedy of this book is not individual punchlines. Rather, it is the accumulating insanity that reaches a boil with every reader at different points. My point was reached at 1:20am...past my reading curfew. I started laughing so hard that I was losing my breath. Literally! I calmed myself remembering, that should I pass out, my body would take over breathing by itself. There is a dire pleasure and jealousy following somebody else foolishly pursue their dreams. I will never look at a Volkswagen Bug the same again. I will have new respect for the innate character of all animals--domesticated, wild, in-between and hybrid of both. This is not the best book ever. It is my favorite book ever! I have gifted this book at least forty times.

a zillion 'stars' for this extremely well written and wonderfully told real life adventure. His love and insight into his dogs, their mishaps and heroism and humor, love...combine to make this hands down my most favorite book ever. I have read it countless times...but, really, even after one reading, the story is so unforgettable it will live forever in your mind and heart. It also left me totally convinced that you have to be more than a little bit crazy to ever attempt the Iditarod. I realized at once I would never have cut it... I have to say you will never regret getting this book if you like dogs or adventures or are interested in what has to be a fairly honest accounting of a newcomers attempt at the Iditarod. most highly recommended and thoroughly beloved by me.

Bought this for my son, he is a great fan of Gary Paulsen books.. This story highlights the events of the Iditarod race in the cold north. These teams of dogs are amazing. They’re willing to endure a snowstorm that surrounds them. They push on even with frostbite and moose attacks. This book has dog attacks and sleeplessness and hallucinations. And yet still the dogs push on and on. We really really liked the color Photographs and map that helped us understand what was happening .

Very humorous book on learning how to train, and eventually participate, in the toughest race in the world. Learning by mistakes is putting it mildly. I laughed and almost cried reading it. You will cheer him and the dogs on with every crazy mishap. What courage and determination !

I love Winterdance. My son sent me my 1st copy when he was in Alaska in 1995 working with sled dogs. I made the mistake of taking it to work with me on a long, lonely 12 hour midnight shift. It's actually a good thing it was long and lonely. I read the whole book in one sitting. I laughed till the tears rolled down my face on several occasions, and at the end I cried till the tears just wouldn't stop. I have given this book on several occasions to others who have also loved it, and I have re-read it several times myself and every time I love it as much as I did the 1st time. Except for this time. Which is the reason I only gave this 4 stars. I don't think it's my imagination, but the end has been edited over the way it was the 1st time. The original had a list of mushers for every race from it's inception to when he ran. It is no longer there. And-I won't spoil it for others-there is a part after the end of the chaper Nome that is no longer there. I would give good green money (with in reason) for one of the original editions. With the exception of that one small thing, this is truly a wonderful book. It makes a great gift and is an awesome read. Try it and get a box of tissues out. You'll need them Merle Ragle

I have always been interested in the Iditarod,(I love the arctic breeds and we currently own a Samoyed, or rather he owns us -- heart and soul!) but never spent much time learning about it. That changed this past March when I began following the sport about midway through the race. The more I learned the more I wanted to know. That's when I found "Winterdance: The fine Madness of Running the Iditarod". What a find! I read the book to my husband every evening until we finished it in just a few days. We found it very compelling --- AND FUNNY! Many times we found ourselves laughing so hard we were crying. Mr. Paulsen's vivid descriptions of his steep learning curve in dog training and race preparation keep the reader turning pages! Two baby boomers who have long since left their teen years behind (and started into second childhood) highly recommend this as an entertaining and informative read about dog sledding and the Iditarod. Way to go Gary Paulsen! We plan to read more of your work.

Si vous voulez découvrir l'univers d'un conducteur de chiens qui tente de courir la plus grande course de chiens de traîneau, l 'Iditarod en Alaska (1800kms), hésitez pas. Un livre que je trouve sublime à la fois drôle, hilarant, émouvant, dramatique. Une histoire vraie racontée par un remarquable conteur. J'en ai déjà offert trois exemplaires à mes amis. Un seul regret, il n'est accessible qu'aux personnes lisant l'anglais (pas de traduction disponible) bien que il soit écrit dans u style très simple, non alambiqué. Probablement le meilleur livre que j'ai lu depuis longtemps. La fin en est terrible mais heureusement, il y a une seconde fin à découvrir dans la biographie de l'auteur.

I’ve bought this book for about 6 people it is one of the best true stories I’ve read, with good story content and a great sense of humour. One of the best stories. I received books of time and packaged and good quality.

I didn't know of the Race before reading this book and boy, I couldn't put it down. It made me laugh out loud and reduced me to sad, real tears. The courage, steadfast belief and gruelling tenacity of the writer and of the fellow racers and his wife - wish I had written this book.WISH I COULD ENTER THIS RACE!!!!!!!!!! Even at the ripe old age of 73 - I really want to do this. For many years friends and family talk about going on cruises and far flung holidays and all I have wanted is to dog sled somewhere - who knows - I can dream. Adventure doesn't diminish in old age.

Wenn man sich für das Thema Hundeschlittenrennen interessiert, eine Affinität zu Hunden und Natur hat, dann ist diese Buch fesselnd und mit einer lakonischen Situationskomik bestückt, die einen zum Lachen bringt. Man ist beim härtesten Hundeschlittenrennen der Welt, Iditarod mit auf dem Schlitten dabei.

Enjoyed this review of the race. Very personal, not afraid to admit to fears, funny and dramatic.