Jake Jacobson - Alaska Flying: Surviving Incidents & Accidents

Testimonials

Alaska Hunting: Earthworms to Elephants

A rare gem about life and hunting in Alaska, by Utah State Aggie

Henry David Thoreau wrote, most men lead lives of quiet desperation, and go to the grave with the song still in them. Sometimes, a man leads an interesting life. Infrequently, one leads a consequential life. Rarely the two come together. If the rest of us are very lucky, that man is also a gifted natural storyteller. Over the course of a lifetime, Jake Jacobson, dentist, outfitter and guide, entrepreneur, and family man, has polished his stories like the jade and petrified mammoth ivory he has lifted from the Alaska outback. He has entertained generations of hunting clients in the cluttered comfort of his arctic lodge. Now, those stories can reach a wider audience in this volume. All that is missing is the smell of caribou stew and trail creek berry bread wafting in from the kitchen.

Jake Jacobson has produced a beautiful gem of a book. It is a collection of vignettes that are alternatingly moving, perplexing, heartwarming, and hysterical. A grandson experiences the magic of a first hunting trip. A famous hunting author is the butt of an elaborate practical joke. A former senator is chased from camp at rifle point. The writing style is conversational and engaging. A wealth of black and white photographs illustrate the stories.

Im tempted to compare Jake to Peter Capstick Hathaway, Robert Ruark, or Patrick F. McManus, but that would be unfair. Hes James P. Jake Jacobson, DMD, Alaska Master Guide #54. He is one of a kind, and this book guarantees that he will not go to the grave with the song still in him!

Alaska Hunting: Earthworms to Elephants

Great read & educational, by David A Johnson

Jake provides 46 years of natural history observations and perspectives on arctic and interior Alaska, Kodiak Island, marine habitats, plus fun perspectives on hunting, Alaskan characters and the Eskimo culture. Jake demonstrates a consistent ability to critically asses or analyze wildlife and fish populations over time and the environmental effects weighing upon these wildlife populations, from Kodiak Island to the most northerly portion of the USA, Barrow, Alaska.

Jakes book was entertaining while providing an educational activity, whether the reader, be the general public, naturalists, sporting folks, professional biologist, anthropologist, or geologist.

Jake actively maintained a journal, recording past and present activities, recording his interesting life with its predicaments, in daily jot downs, now luckily, these interesting life glimpses are available to us regular folks, in book form. This daily journal activity, by itself, is a lesson for all aspiring writers, to instill, as a habit, into their daily activities.

Alaska Hunting: Earthworms to Elephants

By an Australian reader, Robert J. Penfold

Having hunted and fished over much of Alaska over the past 35 years I have learned to love the place. Jakes book is inspiring as it describes the real Alaska, the rural lifestyle, the real people and the visitors who come to experience this great land and its significant challenges. Jakes impeccable records of instances provide great insight into the real world of the professional big game hunting guide life. His attention to detail and his affinity with nature old and new, with his collecting artifacts and jade and collecting a wide range of friends along the way add to his 40 odd years of experiencing what Alaska has to offer. As a professional hunter, his approach to good game management and good conservation and high ethics are a standout in this book. It is a great read that I could not put down once I began turning the pages. Congratulations on producing a great book, the first of many I hope.

Alaska Hunting: Earthworms to Elephants

By C&N Geoffroin

As a long time resident, I love Alaska and all the adventure that it offers. I also enjoy reading about the adventures of others. As a result, I have several hundred books related to hunting, trapping and flying in Alaska.

Jakes collection of stories is as good as it gets. He writes in a descriptive and down to earth manner. Unless you have experienced it, it is hard to grasp the intoxicating nature of hunting and flying in Alaskas remote backcountry. Jake does an excellent job of taking you along for the ride.

Additionally, his stories illustrate the depth and knowledge he has gained in more than 45 years of guiding in Alaska. Each chapter and story holds your interest and you find yourself wanting to read on to the next. It is obvious that the author is an accomplished outdoorsman and knowledgeable about the species he pursues.

In conclusion, I give this book a five star ratingyou will enjoy it. I suspect the author has lots more stories . I hope so, as I am looking forward to his next book.

Alaska Tales: Laughs and Surprises

By Ronico

A thoroughly enjoyable read! What a refreshing departure from the ho-hum of so much written material! This collection of short stories related to Alaska hunting details various aspects of modern Professional Hunting in our northernmost state. It focuses on dealing with the occasional absurdity of human nature, the vagaries and idiosyncrasies of people, including guests, guides and peripheral personnel. Jake dissects events, locating the humorous aspects of what might otherwise be completely negative scenarios. He sees the humor, sometimes adding to it, and makes the best of situations, however bizarre they might be. Legends and superstitions are explored and in some cases--exploited. If the reader is looking for relief from everyday Great White Hunter storiesgive this publication a read. It will lighten your load and give you relief from the doldrums of average, everyday existence. My ribs hurt from laughing.

Alaska Tales: Laughs and Surprises

By Bulawayo

As thoroughly enjoyable as his first book. A great read.

Alaska Tales: Laughs and Surprises

By Utah State Aggie

I believe in full disclosure. I wrote one of the forewords for this book. I also believe in standing up and being counted for something you believe, like God, country, family, honor, and hard work. I wrote that foreword, and I am writing this review, because I believe that Jake has produced another wonderful little book that is worth every penny of your hard earned money. And in case youre wondering, no, I have no financial interest in Jakes literary efforts.

Jakes first book, Alaska Hunting: Earthworms to Elephants, is mostly about hunting. This book is mostly about people. Alexander Pope said, The proper study of mankind is man. Too many of us shuffle through a grey world, staring with tunnel vision at our own feet. Jake has spent his wonderful, bohemian life training his clear hunting guides eye not just at caribou and Dall sheep, but at all of us. He captures people in all our infuriating glory, and with all our contradictions, nobility and fallen nature. It doesnt take many of these stories to realize that Jake loves people. No one sees, and writes with this kind of detail without loving the subject. And yet he takes us on our own terms, painting a sympathetic portrait of each quirky character, hero and coward, saint and sinner. Because in the end, it is hard to tell which is which.

This book is definitely worth the money and is worth the time to read it. Actually, it is worth the time to read it five or ten times, or maybe more. Because, trust me, you wont just read it once.

Alaska Tales: Laughs and Surprises

By Craig Boddington

I have been fortunate to spend time in the Alaska wilderness with Jake Jacobson...aside from being a very genuine Alaskan legend--not just as an outdoorsman, but one of the early flying dentists serving Arctic communities--hes a real character and truly a funny guy. Read the laughs and surprises of his Alaska Tales, and youll feel like youre seeing his wild Alaska...and laughing along with him.