The Cruelest Miles: The Heroic Story of Dogs and Men in a Race Against an Epidemic

I thought this book was more history of Alaska than story of the dogs and men that helped stop an epidemic. I was looking more for the story of the dogs and sled "race" that saved Nome. Instead I learned a lot about Alaska's history and some about the actual trip. Still a good read.

Sometimes got bogged down with details but overall a good presentation of a historical event in a readable story. In the end I cared as much about the individuals involved as in the whole story

The sacrifices made by the sled drivers are awe-inspiring. The saga is interspersed with interesting information on Alaskan history and weather, sled dog breeds, and today's Iditarod.

Very good book. The story captures you with the dog teams and their mission to get diptheria vaccine through to people in need. I found the story captivating and cheered for the dogs. Set against the gold rush and Nome Alaska, the writer makes history and reality an enjoyable read.

I loved this book and the story has stayed with me. Not a typical book for me, but it was recommended by a fellow dog lover. Amazing story and well written.

"The Cruelest Miles-The Heroic Story of Dogs and Men in a Race Against an Epidemic" by Gay Salisbury and Laney Salisbury, is a book I read about at Age 30+...A Lifetime of Books.

Nome, Alaska in 1925 was icebound with no access other than 700 miles of snow and ice to the nearest railhead. Brave men

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and dogs formed relay teams when disaster struck in the form of Diphtheria. Compelling and so informative, the authors capture every nuance of the incredible story. A lone doctor struggling to save the children of Nome and the surrounding area, without the proper tools, and not losing hope that help would come in time in the from of serum to fight the epidemic. Without hesitation, and without thought of compensation, the men and their amazing dogs, carried the serum across the worst, most unforgiving landscape, in the worst weather imaginable. The fact that they succeeded is a testament to the strength of character that made Alaska great.

I was so lucky to find this book at my Library, and without Heather's review I might not have even heard about it. I love nonfiction, and this was such a good read, from start to finish. I highly recommend it, if you need something to read on a snowed in day. (you will be happy to know that you could be rescued)

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Diphtheria epidemic, 1925 Nome, Alaska

This was the perfect book to read in January. It's hard to feel so sorry for yourself about your 10 degree weather when they're dealing with 60 below! Amazing story. I loved reading about the bond between the dogs and the men. I am so thankful I don't live out

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there! That isolation is not for me. But what a great story. I couldn't put it down. Also made me thankful that we have vaccines and my kids never had to suffer from diphtheria. Highly recommended, especially for a winter read.
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This story contained everything I could ever ask for in a book. It is an ethereal marriage of beautifully written poetic prose joined with a rich history so meticulously researched and documented that together have birthed a magnificent, rarely encountered sensory delight. I can only liken it to

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experiencing the "aurora borealis" for the first time. A mysterious, brilliant combination of elements that delights the heart and soul. A memory that lasts a lifetime.

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Gripping story of the origin of the Idatarod race where diptheria medecine was dog-sledded to Nome Alaska by teams of trail workers. They were racing a plane as well. Fantastic story and hard to put down.

The tale of the dogs and men who braved blizzard conditions to save Nome, Alaska, from diphtheria.

nonfiction (dog sledding to Nome, Alaska in 1925 local history)
interesting history.

If you want to read an exciting story about Alaska in the early 20th century and learn a bit about dog mushing as well, this is a must read. Excellent page turner.

I just finished reading The Cruelest Miles: The Heroic Story of Dogs and Men in a Race Against an Epidemic
by Gay Salisbury and Laney Salisbury. This book was unexpectedly fascinating on many levels. The book is nominally about the carriage of diphtheria antitoxin from the railhead near Fairbanks,

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Alaska to the coast at Nome, through some of the coldest temperatures that state has experienced, and in unusually fierce blizzards. Nome had already been decimated by the Spanish Flu pandemic in 1918, described in The Great Influenza: The Story of the Deadliest Pandemic in History by John M. Barry. The book includes in its bibliography another book about the Arctic I read and enjoyed, Arctic Dreams by Barry Lopez.

The story of the race would have been exciting on its own. The book paints a vivid picture of early 20th Century Alaska, in the throes of the decline after the Klondike and Alaska Gold Rush of approximately 1897-1901. The book also contained descriptions of the history of the Eskimos (Eskimo, contrary to urban legend apparently refers to snowshoes, not "Eaters of Raw Flesh" and is not a derogatory term). Much of that description was surprisingly familiar; I remember it from Mrs. Boyle's Fourth Grade class in academic 1966-7.

The people behind the heroic rescue of Nome take second fiddle in the book to Man's Best Friend. The book subliminally makes the case that man's development, in Alaska at least, would have been impossible without the domestication of the dog from its ancient lupine ancestors. I have always thought that all human development from mere animals to the species we are would not have occurred without domestication of the dog.

Man could really accomplish things if they didn't have to keep a lookout for predators bigger and stronger than them, chief among those wolves. In the Arctic, dogs fulfill the vital function of providing transportation. Having a "doggedly" loyal and intelligent leader made travel over some very hazardous areas possible.

A solid five stars on Goodreads for this.

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