There is a feature on Amazon called Listmania. You can still find it if you dig deep although it used to be given better exposure. The list I created was called "Adventurous Women." I love adventure books, and particularly stories that feature the girls who are out to push their physical limits and find that thrill of sport.
I'm going to add this feature to my blog possibilities, and review one book on that list from time to time.
First (for no particular reason), I'll tell you about the book Race Across Alaska, by and about Libby Riddles. She was the first woman to win the Iditerod sled race, in 1985, at age 28. The book was written in 1988.
The narrative jumps right into the race, with a day-by-day account of the action. You don't need to know anything about racing sled dogs, because you'll learn it all as you go. It's an exotic enough sport for most of us to hold the attention. Small maps accompany each entry. Background is woven into the narrative.
There are also sidebars explaining some of the background information needed to understand terminology or sledding philosophy.
Riddles' fame has been somewhat eclipsed by Susan Butcher, who went on to win the Iditarod four times. But Libby Riddles was the first woman to have what it takes to win. And the name of Mary Shields has been completely forgotten. She was the first woman to complete the race. Her time wasn't good, but in 1974, most people didn't even think women could do something like that.
I actually liked this book so much I read it onto tapes for my mother when she was still alive. Maybe that's why I'm sharing it first. It was one of the first books I read about an adventurous woman (although I had read a bio of Amelia Ehrhart before that for sure, and probably others)
In other news: all the usual- I edited, I worked on projects. I wrote chapter 39 in Vacation from DMS, 604 words.
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3 comments:
That's impressive to have done that race. I believe that a woman who lives around here has done that or so I was told. I don't know if she ever completed it or not.
Lulu: "Our Dada says this reminds him of the documentary he and Mama watched a while back called 'Maiden' about the first all-woman crew to compete in a round-the-world yacht race. Nobody thought they could do it, either, but they did!"
Ann- A lot of women have now entered. I don't know how many
Lulu- cool! I know less about sailing. I thought you might tell me you wanted to be one of the sled dogs
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