Fifty Miles From Tomorrow: A Memoir Of Alaska And The Real People (2008) - Plot & Excerpts
If you are interested in how Alaskan Natives lived traditionally and how of all the Native American tribes they managed to retain a large amount of Alaskan land, (and mineral rights)and in the story of a remarkable man and his transformation from traditional to modern life this is the book for you. The author was raised in Kotzebue Sound, twenty-nine miles north of the Arctic Circle, in the hunter/gatherer society of traditional Alaskan Inuits. Unacknowledged by his father, abandoned by his alcoholic mother and rescued by his mothers cousin he lived with his adopted family in makeshift houses on the beach in the summer and buried sod houses in the winter. In this semi-nomadic life he was often cold, hungry and constantly working, He was monetarily poor but rich with family and love particularly from his adopted mother.Through the intervention of a missionary he ends up in a Baptist HS in Tennessee. Later from Alaska he applies to George Washington University and and then travels there before being accepted figuring "How can they not accept me when I have come all this way from Alaska?" While there he realizes that the US government at the pushing of the oil lobby is about to take majority of Alaska from the Alaskan natives paying a small amount of money. He realized 2 things 1. Unlike other Native Americans the Inuit were never conquered in war and 2. By offering to pay anything the government is acknowledging that the land is owned by the Inuit. After tireless lobbying and organizing William Henley and others get the US to aside 44 million acres and almost 1 billion dollars for use by Alaska’s native peoples. allowing the Native Alaskans to control their economic and political destiny.It is a quick read and a remarkable story. Interesting anthropologically and politically. This was a book club selection, and I have got to say, it is a great discussion book. This book is certainly an autobiography, but lends itself to a literary relic to the Inuit peoples. While we learn about "Willie" and his humble Native Alaskan beginnings, we learn about his draw towards public service, and eventually how the two cultures he grew up in start to clash. To those thinking of facilitating a book club discussion, you'll hardly need to come up with discussion questions. The story is a conversation piece in and of itself.
What do You think about Fifty Miles From Tomorrow: A Memoir Of Alaska And The Real People (2008)?
Always fun to read a book about someone you know. Well done, personal and informative.
—jkn1222
I have met Willie Hensley, he is from the same area as my Mom.
—Emaan606
Wonderful autobiography of a great Alaskan
—MariaLovegood
