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Winterdance: The Fine Madness of Running the Iditarod

gary paulsen

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Fueled by a passion for running dogs, Gary Paulsen entered the Iditarod--the eleven hundred and eighty mile sled-dog race through the Alaskan wilderness--in dangerous ignorance and with a fierce determination. For seventeen days, he and his team of dogs endured blinding wind, snowstorms, frostbite, dogfights, moose attacks, sleeplessness, hallucinations--and the relentless push to go on. Winterdance is the enthralling account of a stunning wilderness journey of discovery and transformation (Chicago Tribune), lived and told by the best author of man-against-nature adventures writing today (Publishers Weekly).

272 pages, Paperback

First published March 1,1994
Places
alaska, 

This edition

Format
272 pages, Paperback
Published
February 17, 1995 by Mariner Books
ISBN
9780156001458
ASIN
0156001454
Language
English

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About the author

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gary paulsen

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Gary James Paulsen was an American writer of children's and young adult fiction, best known for coming-of-age stories about the wilderness. He was the author of more than 200 books and wrote more than 200 magazine articles and short stories, and several plays, all primarily for teenagers. He won the Margaret Edwards Award from the American Library Association in 1997 for his lifetime contribution in writing for teens.

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Community Reviews

Rating(3.9 / 5.0, 100 votes)
5 stars
30(30%)
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31(31%)
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39(39%)
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0(0%)
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100 reviews All reviews
Profile Image for Kimberly .
Bluevids
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
April 17,2025
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The book was okay. The author had some pretty neat experiences that were interesting to read about. The writing, however, was mediocre and reminiscent of 80's YA. It's like he's trying to hard to pound into our heads about how meaningful his experience was, instead of just telling us the story and letting us figure it out on our own. Plus every two pages there was some variation of, "I was arrogant and thought it couldn't possibly get any harder. Little did I know, it would." It got old quick. But if you're interested in the subject I would recommend the book anyway.
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MayorHunter2
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
April 17,2025
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Author Gary Paulsen decides, on what seems almost a whim, to run the Iditarod. This memoir follows his process of prep along with each stage of the race and reads like the most interesting parts of his experiences written in a private journal. It is at times hilarious and horrifying. It is books like this that make me grateful for my in-person book club (January pick) as I never would have picked this one up on my own. However, I would have appreciated a lot more information on race details and equipment to fully enjoy the story.
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AlterSaber569
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
April 17,2025
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Iditarod-a Trail Sled Dog Race is held annually in Alaska which covers a length of over 1000 miles. It is a combination of suffering, madness, care and love to dogs and many other things. The dog-runners train themselves, the dogs, and consider every aspect of the dogs’ health and strength as it is the dogs who run, pull and win. And here now is a “rookie” dog-runner who is almost absolutely ignorant about everything regarding the dogs, the race, and the environment of Alaska. But he learns from everyone, asking questions and observing the dogs, experienced runners, and the surrounding environment.

The book is a real story of a writer with little experience of running dogs, and who decides to run the Iditarod. Besides the information that the book gives about the Iditarod, the dogs, and life in Alaska there are much deeper issues to dwell into and think such as the intelligence and feelings of animals.

The book is very easy to read and in some parts very funny.
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Yumni
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
April 17,2025
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I had no idea as to how fun, emotional, gripping, and adventurous this book would be: I laughed out loud in so many parts; and I found the ending difficult but I totally understand it. I think I would have done the same thing. It would be cruel to keep the dogs and not let them run. I felt the sun on my face and the icy needles on my eyelids (of course reading this while it is 6 degrees outside helped in that regard). The author shared his emotions from rage to gratefulness; his descriptive hallucinations; and bodily sensations. This all resulted in a five-star read for me. I will likely read this book again at some time.
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1isParanoid
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
April 17,2025
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This was another book I was disappointed in. That's been happening a lot lately, although I haven't posted most of them. This was a true story about the author's experience running a big dog sled race in Alaska. The story was interesting enough with several funny anecdotes. His writing style is very simplistic, but the point that really bothered me was that there was a LOT of foul language. I actually wish I hadn't finished it because there was so much swearing.
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wetkancut
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
April 17,2025
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The funniest book I have ever read.

This stands among the rare books that will get you looks for laughing out loud in the middle of the airport. This is the true story of the author who, in "dangerous ignorance," just up and decides to run the Iditarod. Its a story of essentially self discovery, but really, its completely and totally insane. The adventures are hilarious, and the journey is amazing.

There is only one way for a story about a full team of Iditarod -class sled dogs raring to go with nothing but a guy on a Schwinn behind them to end. That way is friggin funny. Well, and a little dangerous.
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anniebananie
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
April 17,2025
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I loved this book because whenever i stoped reading it ended on a page turner. This book i perfect for kids 6th and up because it has a lot of swearing. If you love book about the Iditarod and dogs you would love this book. I woke up and noticed 9 dogs even though i only have 8. I went back to bed because i thought i was crazy. Then i woke up again and noticed only 8 dogs. Then i went back to bed. Then i woke up in the morning and noticed 9 dogs. I got up and walked over to see what it was. It was a...... read to find out what it is.
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