Best of
Wildlife

1966

Born Free: The Full Story


Joy Adamson - 1966
    But as Elsa had been born free, Joy made the heartbreaking decision that she must be returned to the wild when she was old enough to fend for herself. Since the first publication of Born Free and its sequels Living Free and Forever Free, generations of readers have been enchanted, inspired and moved by these books’ uplifting charm and the remarkable interaction between Joy and Elsa. Millions have also come to know and love Born Free through the immortal film starring Virginia McKenna and Bill Travers. But here is the chance to rediscover the original story in this 50th anniversary edition, in the words of the woman who reared Elsa and walked with the lions.

The Year of the Raccoon


Lee Kingman - 1966
    Describes Joe's relationships to his pet raccoon and the members of his family and reveals that there are many talents in a family.

My Way Was North: An Alaskan Autobiography


Frank Dufresne - 1966
    In his autobiography, the author of No Room for Bears also writes a loving biography of the rough, beautiful, and exciting place that was Alaska in the 1920's and 30's. The book is filled with spell-binding "descriptions of primitive Eskimos, of dog-sledding over the Bering ice, of sour-doughs he knew along the Yukon, of caribou and mountain goats and bears, of the old Alaska which will never be again." The quote is from Corey Ford, and Mr. Ford continues: "Certainly no man had a better first-hand knowledge of Alaska's birds and fishes and animals ...Frank Dufresne had a fantastic memory, a keen eye...a boundless excitement over each new discovery... My Way Was North is an unforgettable picture of early days in Nome and Fairbanks, a tale of breath-taking adventure in the white cold..." Frank Dufresne's early reports from Alaska helped to shape the first comprehensive Alaska Game Act, and he subsequently served as Director of the Alaska Game Commission. His saga is a delicious balance of personal observation, anecdote, and knowledge born of experience. Whether he's describing a three month trek on dogsled, or wooing Klondy, his concert-violinist, dog-sled-driving wife, whether he's stepping (literally) inside a whale's mouth or sharing a fragrant raw fish with an even more fragrant Eskimo, this is consistently superb yarn-spinning for readers of any age.