I purchased this book with high hopes that I had come across something really good. However, upon reading it, I unfortunately became quite disappointed with the man and his book. My main complaint is that he seems to exercise poor judgment in many of his expeditions. He makes many careless mistakes in the wilderness which needlessly jeopardize himself and his clients. One example is where he does not take his rifle with him to the creek knowing there are bears in the area. That is a careless mistake. Any guide worth his weight always carries his gun with him, always. He cited stories of sleeping in blood-stained clothes. That is another careless mistake. He cites examples of harrowing rescues, but most of which occurred due to his poor planning and recklessness with regard to his environment. Most of his scary situations probably could have been avoided if he had shown better judgment and had planned better. I also found his analogies to the faith rather forced. I paraphrase: "Alaska is really tough, so is the Christian walk." Or another example, paraphrasing once again, "There are some nasty people in life who want to get you, just like some mean animals in Alaska." Another criticism is that the book seems to have been written by a 4th grade student. The vocabulary is too basic; sentences are very poorly written throughout the book, i.e., his syntax and morphology. He uses exclamation points and italics almost in every other sentence, which is a substitute for poor writing. I really wanted to like this book, but it was almost insulting that a Christian book is so poorly written. I am wondering how this book made it past the editors in it's published condition. Furthermore, he doesn't seem to have much respect for the beauty of the land and the creatures he is killing. It never seems to enter his mind that he is a steward of God's creation and Alaska is place of unsurpassed rugged beauty. I am not opposed to hunting, but he rarely speaks of conservation or stewardship. I don't want to just disparage the book without offering some solutions. If you want to read a book about real adventure in Alaska, not unnecessary adventure due to carelessness, please read "Alaska's Wolf Man" which is the story of Frank Glaser. You will gain a perspective on Alaskan adventure that you will not get from "Wild Men, Wild Alaska." I am sure Rocky is a great guy, but he is a careless guide. Most of his mistakes are careless mistakes that someone with a fair amount of rugged wilderness experience would never make. If you want real adventure, head off to Sweden for moose hunting or to Norway for reindeer hunting with a Laplander. Wild at Heart was a good, not great, book on the idea of men discovering their passion, but this one is exploitative of this new genre.

I enjoyed the book, I'm not real big on long drawn out reads, however I had a hard time putting it down. Rocky used true-life stories told with a good sense of humor and compassion as well as relating to larger life issues. The book gave me a bit of the feel of Alaska and how wild it can be.

I also spent a week up at Rocky's Lodge in July with my Dad, 3 Brothers, and all the sons and nephews 13 in all. We caught many fish (released most of them) along with some great fun with Rocky's family guides and staff. The accommodations of the lodge and the food were incredible.

Can't wait for the next book!

I picked up this book at the recommendation of a friend. I could not put it down. It tells one hair raising, exciting, interesting, and amusing Alaskan adventure story after another. I especially loved the story of President Bush tweaking the big Austrians and their star fishing guide with one amazing catch after another.
This book is much more than a collection of hunting and fishing stories though --it is the story of a passionate man, with the support of a long suffering, loving wife pursuing his calling with everything God has given him. This book captures the pure fun of living life to the fullest and bringing others along to share in the experience. It is obvious that the great delight of the author is to have others experience the joys of the Alaskan wilderness with him. This book is written in a way that allows many of us to vicariously share in the fun at a safe distance from grizzly bears and near fatal plane wrecks and boat crashes.

I found this book to be refreshing, honest, creative, vulnerable and challenging. Even if you're not an outdoorsman par excellance like the author, his style draws you into the great adventures of Alaska. I not only appreciated the raw realities of hunting expeditions, but also the tender realities that were revealed in the partnership Rocky has with his wife, Sharon. Here's a good read. Enjoy!!!

I must say, from the perspective of someone who has never experienced the Alaskan wilderness firsthand Wild Men Wild Alaska does an amazing job of painting the beauty and nostalgia for it's readers. This is definitely one of those books that you just can't put down, highly recommended!

Rocky's book was an excellent read. After having fished two times in the wilds of Alaska in the past few years, I found the stories to be an exciting look into the last frontier that is Alaska. It is easy to become part of the story and to place yourself in Rocky's place. Fortunately, I did not have to be faced with the real dangers, reading about them was enough. Alaska is the last of our American frontiers. If you can't get there to see and experience it for yourself, then by all means read this book!! It will give you a taste of the wilderness life in Alaska and let you experience the wild without the streetlights and traffic that too often become our life in the "lower 48." Do yourself a favor and get this book.

I have known the author for over 30 years and he is 'the real deal.' Rocky speaks his mind and lives his dreams and the book is a testimony to a life well lived, mixed with adventure and integrity. A must read.

For guys or gals who like hunting and fishing and outdoor adventure this is a must read. I finished it in two sittings, couldn't put it down.

I thoruoughly enjoyed reading thid book, It was interesting and light hearted. E book you and your whole family can enjoy reading! No twisted or sick plots just enjoyable. I've read it three times!!

Having been an avid hunter and fisherman for at least 50 of my 61 years I appreciated Rocky's humorous and adventurous accounts and experiences. Alaska has always been of great interest to me because of its wildness and its variety of wildlife and fish available for harvest. Rocky did a great job of relating the reasons we enjoy our sport. I highly recommend this book for all sportsmen.

This book is an incredible collection of real life stories shared by Alaska fishing / hunting guide Rocky McElveen. This guy is the real deal - his stories keep you on the edge of your seat. I couldn't put the book down after I got started, and read it in just a couple days. For someone who doesn't read a lot of books, this says a lot.

Don't be put off by Rocky's jocular style. He has been full of fun and jokes all of his life. He is an excellent Alaska guide and will serve you well.

Wild Men Wild Alaska is a real life read with great vivid imagery of one of the best adventures I have ever experienced.
I have read the book three times and each time I cannot put it down.
Rocky's book is just an extention of the BIGGER THAN LIFE PERSON HE IS.
I am looking forward to another great book from him.

Rocky and the staff at Alaskan Adventures are the real deal .....we need more people like them on the globe.

Thanks for the adventure!

Steve
Prescott Arizona

If you have ever been in a position to have some critter ruin your day- maybe your life, you will love this book.
If you are a city person- you need this book to relate to the real world.
If any reference to God up-sets you- you really need this book to start you on a journey towards truth.

I made a trip with Rocky last August to fish and hunt bear. It was absolutley one of the best weeks of my life. I got to see firsthand some of what was written in the book. Wild Men, Wild Alaska is a great book with a perspective you will not find anywhere else. If you have an itch to go to Alaska, this is a must read...

Looking for high adventure? Rocky takes you there with this book. Each chapter is a new adventure, many of them breath taking. I found this book to be almost impossible to put down and have shared it with others who have greatly enjoyed the read. It is clear from his writing that Rocky McElveen is a man of high integrity. A guided hunt with Rocky is definitely on my must do list. I highly recommend this as a great read for those who enjoy real life adventure!

This book is a great read, well-written, and almost impossible to put down -- IF you're being objective and reading the book for what it is. The narrative is exciting, the wording is well-chosen and well-crafted, and all the men I've loaned this book to (and some don't especially enjoy reading) are now longing to be part of the adventure. I consider myself to be an objective reader, and I have nothing but good to say about the book. Get it!

I booked a hunt with Rocky before reading this book. I've since read the book and now I'm even more eager to visit Alaska later this year. I've spoken with several people (references, etc.) who know Rocky and they've confirmed that he's the 'real' deal. He has a genuine faith and a deep respect for God's creation. He also seems to be an excellent guide who works hard to hunt ethically and help manage game numbers.

This book will not only entertain you with incredible stories of the Alaskan wilderness, it will inspire you to give thanks to the One who created it. I also enjoyed the book because Rocky's personality comes through in it. He's obviously the kind of person you'd want to hike and hunt with in such challenging country. Pick up 'Wild Men, Wild Alaska', it's a great read!

This book was given to me as a gift. Once I started reading it I actually could not put it down. It is action packed, you can visualize the beautiful scenery, it is thought provoking and full of inspiration. I have visited parts of Alaska and can truly appreciate the "wild Alaska" described by Rocky. I have given this book as gifts to many of my friends that share the same love of the outdoors and hunting that I have. It is my goal to one day be a client of Rocky's.
If you love the outdoors or you love to hunt this this is an adventure you wil not won't to miss. It is a great book to carry to the hunting camp.

Reading some of these reviews its too bad that people have gotten political and mean. The book isn't political. It doesn't tell you how to live your life or what is right and wrong. It isn't about global warming (although you can clearly see the author cares for the "Wild" he lives in). Its about adventures in a wild place and one mans struggle with living there and living with himself.

The book is a great read and it goes too quickly. You find yourself at the end of the book and wanting more. I would recommend you grab the book, read it and enjoy what you find. I am confident that if you are willing to enjoy it, you will.

There are fantastic stories and humor throughout the book and I have little doubt that you will find the book as heartwarming and enriching as I did.

After seeing this book available I looked forward to reading it. I have spent a good number of years living in Alaska and working for the Dept. of Fish & Game. About one-third of the way through this book, I could not force myself to finish it. Rocky (who must be an adult to have a guiding license) writes and behaves like a second-grader! Too bad he wants to tell people about this. The episode of him guiding former President George H. W. Bush (the Tree, not the Shrub) on a fishing trip and both of them catching fish and returning up river, not once, but several times ro release them in front of another guide and his client (who weren't catching anything), for the sole purpose of bragging was where I had to quit! Our Alaskan guides should be setting the standard for sportsmanship, not being proud of their childish behaviors. Our nation's so-called leader - well what more can I say - our nation is currently contending with the aftermath of this one's own spawn.

i read some of the book. I live upriver from the author and have seen first hand how his hunting and fishing business has depleted the local fish and game. the author lives in califorinia most of the time and just comes up to alaska to make money off of his fishing lodge. catch and release fishing is very harmful to most of our resident fish. i would not tell any of my friends to read this.

i read some of the book. I live upriver from the author and have seen first hand how his hunting and fishing business has depleted the local fish and game. the author lives in califorinia most of the time and just comes up to alaska to make money off of his fishing lodge. catch and release fishing is very harmful to most of our resident fish. i would not tell any of my friends to read this.

having read some of this book ,one whom has lived near this individual ,feels that alaska is losing its wildness due to commercial hunters and fishers like the author. killing fish and animals for sports profits makes this about wild men but not wild alaska.

Living in Alaska all my life and making a few of my own memories similar to the ones articulated so wonderfully by Rocky in his book is something near and dear to my heart. So when I read his stories--some of which I heard told around the campfire before they were put to print--the second I take up this excellent book and read its pages no matter WHERE I am, I am instantly transported to a Place and Time in this world that is in my (ever so humble opinion) the closest thing to Heaven on Earth......ALASKA.

The other thing this book did for me was to give my family and close friends a Great insight into what it really is that I DO for a living...:)
Rock you are amazing my friend!

Andy Flack, Guide/Pilot
Wasilla, Alaska

Great book, straight forward,easy reading. Sounds like Alaska to me and I appreciate referances of faith,I like knowing the writer,s value on Christ
working in his life.
Amen

Being a woman and NOT a hunter, I did not expect to find Rocky's book very interesting. I hesitantly picked it up while my husband and father were on one of Rocky's Alaskan adventures and was in for quite a surprise as I had a hard time putting it down and finished it in two sittings! Though I still have no intention of becoming a hunter, I now have a better understanding of the appeal for the men in my life and an appreciation for the needs that it meets for them.

I received this book from my wife as a gift. I enjoyed it so much that I ordered two copies for friends. For a Christian man who enjoys the outdoors it is very much enjoyed. I highly recommend it!

This book is fun to read before going on a hunting adventure. It helped me to understand what hunting in Alaska would be like and made me chuckle at some of the people who went hunting. If you like to hunt, and or are going on an Alaskan hunt, then this is the book for you!

First off, this book was a pure joy to read. If you have ever shared bone chilling tales around the campfire, you will instantly relate to the amazing tales Rocky tells in "Wild Men,Wild Alaska"!

I particularly enjoyed NO BEAR NO! I have had more than a few run ins with bears in the wild but never have I handled a GRIZZ, or a black bear for that matter, in the way Rocky does. You really have to read this tale...and since you know the ending of this vignette, aren't you as curious as I was as to how Rocky did it ?

The mark of any enjoyable read, you'll pass the book around to your friends ( the cheap ones who didn't buy it themself) and share which tale you could relate to or enjoyed the most.

Things happen in Alaska that don't happen anywhere else and thankfully Rocky has shared those marvelous tales with us down here in the lower 48!

Great read! Highly recommended!

Tom DeNapoli
Sacramento ca.

This book single handedly brought me back to reading for pleasure. Something that I have not done in a long time, but do regularly now. Rocky's adventures range from funny to quite harrowing. For anyone who has experienced Alaskas vast wilderness, or has hoped to, this is a must read.

Absolutely first-rate--hard to put down once I started it. Very well written, thoroughly entertaining. Rocky brings out the excitement of each hunt--each experience in a riveting fashion. Simply one of the best books I've read on experiencing the wilds of Alaska. Highly recommended!!!

My father gave me this book for my birthday. He absolutely loved it. I found it to be a weakly written account of some pretty amazing adventures. There is no doubt that Rocky Mcelveen has lived incredible stories and has had some very authentic faith experiences. His "rough-around-the-edges" approach seems to appeal to many but its not my favorite writing style. I found that he reinforces the stereotype of an exploitive, narrow-minded, bragging Christian male.

I was bothered by his comments on women and his sense of their place in the world. I disliked his perspectives on the animals he hunts and encounters on his trips. He very much sees them as trophies (or nusances that frustrate his hunting and fishing) and something that is meant to be hung on a wall and measured for the Boone and Crocket record book . I got the sense that he does not respect them as living, breathing creatures whose lives he and his clients end when they pull the trigger. As a trained Fish and Wildlife Technician, I felt that his facts about wildlife could have done with more in-depth research prior to publishing. Many of them are exaggerated or simply false.

Worst of all, his perspectives on faith (re: comments about tithing; calling God names like "the Big Pilot"; comments about some people having an "in" with God; etc) reinforced for me the worst aspects of North American Christian faith. I am a follower of Christ but, most of his comments do not represent my own thoughts on what it means to be "Christian." Overall, his attitude and world-view could use more thoughtful reflection.

As for writing style, one of the things that frustrated me were the many times Rocky writes jokes as incidents that he has experienced. While it adds some humor I began wondering at the beginning of a new story if it were true or just another joke. It doesn't quite work as well in a book as it does with body language and the inevitable laughs when told in person.

Despite all the things that urked me, Rocky does come up with some good insights on life. I think if I had read his book 20 years ago I would have enjoyed it. I was really into sport hunting and fishing then. Today, however, I have become more connected to nature, more astonished by it and more aware of different ways of thinking about it. Rocky generally seems to see his experiences in the wilds as conquests. I'd say that my current nature experiences are more about harmony, respect and enjoying its mystery. This book simply doesn't connect with where I'm at.

My recommendation is that you put your money towards Dangerous River by R.M. Patterson or any of Sigurd Olson's books. These two authors, for me, bring a more thoughtful approach to the topics of spirituality and outdoor living. They tell the stories of adventures just as amazing as Rocky's without the annoying parts.

My father gave me this book for my birthday. He absolutely loved it. I found it to be a weakly written account of some pretty amazing adventures. There is no doubt that Rocky Mcelveen has lived incredible stories and has had some very authentic faith experiences. The problem with the book, for me, is that he reinforces the stereotype of an exploitive, narrow-minded, bragging Christian male.

I was bothered by his comments on women and his sense of their place in the world. I hated his perspectives on the animals he hunts and encounters on his trips. He very much sees them as trophies (or nusances that frustrate his hunting and fishing) and something that is meant to be hung on a wall and measured for the Boone and Crocket record book . I got the sense that he does not respect them as living, breathing creatures whose lives he and his clients end when they pull the trigger. As a trained Fish and Wildlife Technician, I felt that his facts about wildlife could have done with more in-depth research prior to publishing. Many of them are exaggerated or simply untrue.

Worst of all, his perspectives on God (re: comments about tithing 10%; calling him names like "the Big Pilot"; comments about some people having an "in" with him; etc) reinforced for me the worst aspects of North American Christian faith. I am a follower of Christ but, most of his comments do not represent my own thoughts on what it means to be "Christian." Overall, his attitude and world-view could use more thought and maturity.

I was frustrated by the many times Rocky writes jokes as incidents that he has experienced. While it adds some humor I began wondering at the beginning of a new story if it were true or just another joke. It doesn't quite work as well in a book as it does with body language and the inevitable laughs when told in person.

Despite all the things that urked me, Rocky does come up with some good insights on life. I think if I had read this book 20 years ago I would have enjoyed it. I was really into sport hunting and fishing then. Today, however, I have become more connected to nature, more astonished by it and more aware of different ways of thinking about it. This book simply doesn't connect with where I'm at.

My recommendation is that you put your money towards Dangerous River by R.M. Patterson or any of Sigurd Olson's books. These two authors, for me, bring a more thoughtful approach to the topics of spirituality and as Rocky's without the annoying parts mentioned above.

This book does not just provide great stories of adventure in Alaska's outdoors, it provides insight into every man's life - especially married men. Wives should read this book to get a peek into the "animal" they are married to.

This book is an adrenaline filled adventure that almost everybody would enjoy reading. The author has a gift of inserting the reader into the story as it is told; I felt that I vicariously hunted through McElveen. A real life adventure as described in the book, can cost in the ten thousands & up, therefore the story is the closest I'll ever be to Alaska with my budget. McElveen has exceeded expectations of our former President, George Bush, Sr, in the wild as I would suspect meet yours. Enjoy the Wild Outdoors!

A great book about adventures in the Alaska wild. I live in Alaska and found this book to be right on the money. The only thing that i didnt like about it was Rocky's (the author) constant reference to God. Every page he talked about him at least 2 or 3 times. Now whether you are religous or not, most people who purchase an adventure book want an adventure book, not a book that is half adventure and the other half feels like you are reading a bible. I am Catholic and even I found it sad that this guy gave God all the credit for his amzazing accomplishments when really most of it was because of his own extremely hard work and dedication that allowed him to become very successful. But all in all it was a great book, it decribed alaska better than any other book out there, thats why i gave it 5 stars.

Great Book. Rocky leads you into his great adventures with his clients. Great stories. Makes me wish I was there.

Great Book. Rocky leads you into his great adventures with his clients. Great stories. Makes me wish I was there.

Wow! This was a Christmas present from my wife. I'm 26 years old and I have to tell you I was finding it hard to sleep at night. I would read 1 or 2 chapters a night and wouldn't want to put the book down. When I did I would set and dream about the bears and wild adventures that take place in this book. One that really got me was the tale about the wolves beating the snow down outside the tent around and around in the night. Eerie stuff! I would definitely recomend this book to anyone who likes HIGH CLASS ADVENTURE!!!! This is a must read for every hunter!

Rock on ROCKY!

Wow! This was a Christmas present from my wife. I'm 26 years old and I have to tell you I was finding it hard to sleep at night. I would read 1 or 2 chapters a night and wouldn't want to put the book down. When I did I would set and dream about the bears and wild adventures that take place in this book. One that really got me was the tale about the wolves beating the snow down outside the tent around and around in the night. Eerie stuff! I would definitely recomend this book to anyone who likes HIGH CLASS ADVENTURE!!!! This is a must read for every hunter!

Rock on ROCKY!

Some books are written for a particular audience, an audience the author knows well and is committed to pleasing. In the case of WILD MEN, WILD ALASKA Rocky McElveen writes for several audiences and it is this diversity of aim that eventually removes the possible power of the book. This is a book that could be easily run chapter by chapter in Guns & Ammo magazine (and other hunters and rifles magazines that are less glibly well known), nature magazines, adventure magazines, as well as in Evangelical Christian magazines. There is nothing wrong with that: making those chapters create a book with the premise that there is an arc to the story that begins, peaks, and ends between the two covers just doesn't happen here.

Rocky McElveen is a guy the reader just has to love - a committed outdoorsman, husband, father, entrepreneur, hunting guide and spiritually sound man. His writing technique is straightforward and no nonsense and he shares himself freely through unbelievable trials to unbelievable climaxes: each chapter, while narrated with vigor and freshness seems to want to one-up the previous chapter with one life challenging dangerous situation after another. The stories are all true and surely there are few men who have survived the impossible situations McElveen has added to his trophy bin.

The problem with reading this book as a work of literature (as opposed to a shared family book of proud adventures in diary form) is in the writing: McElveen peppers his tales with numerous asides (usually humorous but bordering on corny and cliché) and in each adventure he manages to inject some references to Divine Intervention as though his heroics needed backup from God. For the non-hunter reading this book there are also significant problems with language and philosophy. Regarding the concept of his occupation as a guide for hunters: 'It is unusual for busy professionals in corporate America to find time for this declining art, so it was a pleasure to have someone who knew how to handle his weapon safely and could hit what he aimed at (sic)'. McElveen's business is taking men out on hunting expeditions for caribou and other creatures of Alaska and he uses the unfortunate term of "harvesting" instead of killing, spending page after page describing the manner in which the victims are slaughtered, gutted, and chopped into manageable hunks.

There are incidents with McElveen guiding famous sportsmen, President Bush the elder, and others of less skill through the terrain of Alaska and there are tales of nature's wrath on the hunter, the loss of his lodge by fire, and the reaction to 9/11 on his relationship with his family. Yet despite all of these true forays into danger McElveen somehow manages to focus the reader on the natural beauty of Alaska and all of nature and some of his descriptions of weather and sunrises and sunsets are lovely. You just have to have a stomach for this sort of material and a quiet respect for the author's need to imbue everything with religious overtones. Above all, here is a writer of honesty in search of technique to share adventure to a wider audience. Grady Harp, December 06

Some books are written for a particular audience, an audience the author knows well and is committed to pleasing. In the case of WILD MEN, WILD ALASKA Rocky McElveen writes for several audiences and it is this diversity of aim that eventually removes the possible power of the book. This is a book that could be easily run chapter by chapter in Guns & Ammo magazine (and other hunters and rifles magazines that are less glibly well known), nature magazines, adventure magazines, as well as in Evangelical Christian magazines. There is nothing wrong with that: making those chapters create a book with the premise that there is an arc to the story that begins, peaks, and ends between the two covers just doesn't happen here.

Rocky McElveen is a guy the reader just has to love - a committed outdoorsman, husband, father, entrepreneur, hunting guide and spiritually sound man. His writing technique is straightforward and no nonsense and he shares himself freely through unbelievable trials to unbelievable climaxes: each chapter, while narrated with vigor and freshness seems to want to one-up the previous chapter with one life challenging dangerous situation after another. The stories are all true and surely there are few men who have survived the impossible situations McElveen has added to his trophy bin.

The problem with reading this book as a work of literature (as opposed to a shared family book of proud adventures in diary form) is in the writing: McElveen peppers his tales with numerous asides (usually humorous but bordering on corny and cliché) and in each adventure he manages to inject some references to Divine Intervention as though his heroics needed backup from God. For the non-hunter reading this book there are also significant problems with language and philosophy. Regarding the concept of his occupation as a guide for hunters: 'It is unusual for busy professionals in corporate America to find time for this declining art, so it was a pleasure to have someone who knew how to handle his weapon safely and could hit what he aimed at (sic)'. McElveen's business is taking men out on hunting expeditions for caribou and other creatures of Alaska and he uses the unfortunate term of "harvesting" instead of killing, spending page after page describing the manner in which the victims are slaughtered, gutted, and chopped into manageable hunks.

There are incidents with McElveen guiding famous sportsmen, President Bush the elder, and others of less skill through the terrain of Alaska and there are tales of nature's wrath on the hunter, the loss of his lodge by fire, and the reaction to 9/11 on his relationship with his family. Yet despite all of these true forays into danger McElveen somehow manages to focus the reader on the natural beauty of Alaska and all of nature and some of his descriptions of weather and sunrises and sunsets are lovely. You just have to have a stomach for this sort of material and a quiet respect for the author's need to imbue everything with religious overtones. Above all, here is a writer of honesty in search of technique to share adventure to a wider audience. Grady Harp, December 06

While not a hunter, I am captivated by the stories in Wild Men, Wild Alaska. My husband today, and other male members of my household when a child, all loved the adrenaline rush they received from hunting game--from wild turkeys to the grizzlies mentioned in Mr McElveen's book. They still do! But this book was so much more than a collection of hunting stories!

I was amazed how much the book affected me! I was able to share in the adventure as a woman who wants to know her man, and I was also able to relate to the feelings that are part of the book--even when not addressed in a fashion we may be used to--they were so real, so genuine that they were almost startling. Like the wild Alaskan wilderness, Mr. McElveen seems to have an innate wildness in his character that he confirms can only be tamed by the love of God and his mate. I was enthralled by the language used to describe each event and also to detail the inner workings and sub-language of the soul. This book was so vivid that I felt the lingering breath of the wild wolves, and heard the snow crunch under the feet of the hunter. I could envision the panoramic views and wanted to be part of the unfolding, powerful episodes of Alaskans grandeur.

Women, too, have a need to read this book as it leads them into the mysterious dynamics of a "real man" and what he learns from the wilderness that surrounds him. I think this is good material for the whole family and even though it may not be meant to teach about human nature it gives invaluable insights into the drive of us all to have a meaningful and powerful life--one that is not consumed and stunted by the sights and sounds and busy-ness of our common society and it's norms.

I am impressed by both the writer and his amazing adventures that fill each page!! I feel I am right there, especially in stories like "Run Baby Run" where a small baby moose and its mom are frantically trying to escape the oncoming ravages of a hungry grizzly, and other stories of love, danger, God's provision and learning what priorities to live by.

This book would be a wonderful tool in speaking to pre-teens and teens. In a world where young people are craving a role model, it's imperative to have men and women who are willing to face great obstacles and overcome them. It is equally important to have a fresh perspective on what makes a person "tick" and how God works through every area of our lives.

I could actually feel the author's inner conflicts when speaking about his family loss. I know that others too will identify with the compulsive need to conquer rivers, land, and all of nature's varied obstacles, while struggling to be the person God created them to be. Don't we all deal with this on one level or another, finding much to conquer, but struggling with our own inadequacies when faced with the most basic of human relationships and it's inherent requirements.

Thank you for this book and for giving me such an adventure in reading it. I am looking forward to more, equally insightful and moving, adventures from this author. My husband just could not get enough of this book. He and I had to have our own copies because he continues to keep his own close at hand. I have read the stories more than once and just have one closing comment--When is the MOVIE?

Rocky McElveen is the kind of man, the kind of "real man," who puts desk jockeys like myself to shame. While I spend nearly endless hours sitting at my desk in Canada's suburban sprawl, McElveen leads parties of bedraggled hunters through the wide open spaces of untamed Alaska. Though he was trained and educated at Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi, and employed by a church in California, he was drawn back to Alaska, the land of his youth and the land where his father served as a missionary. On almost a whim he began a career as an Alaskan fishing guide. "We help from some dear friends, I began my quest. I had professional-looking brochures printed, conjured up a business name, and made big plans." That was several decades ago and today McElveen continues to guide hunters and fishermen into the Alaskan wilderness. He boasts an impressive client list, including President George Bush Sr., Chuck Yeager, Dave Dravecky, Chuck Swindoll and many others.

Wild Men, Wild Alaska is not exactly an autobiography, though in many ways it reads like one. McElveen writes well and in a down-to-earth style that is both appealing and fun. Each of the book's chapters relates one of the adventures he has either enjoyed or suffered through during the length of his rather uncouth career. He writes about the strange difficulties inherent in serving as guide for the President (which gave him opportunity to learn that pulling a knife to cut the President's fishing line is not a great idea) and the challenge of helping a one-armed man fire a rifle. He writes about coming face-to-face with grizzlies (and living to tell the story) and spending a couple of nights in the company of wolves. He describes the trials that faced wilderness guides like himself when the skies were closed to all manner of air travel in the days following September 11. All-in-all, it makes for a fascinating read and for a book I just didn't want to put down.

Woven through McElveen's adventures are spiritual lessons, dropped often subtley into the text. While he shares some interesting and important spiritual insights, these are often seem just a little bit forced. They do not detract from the tale, but neither do they add a whole lot to it. For example, at the end of a chapter in which McElveen faces down a grizzly, he writes, "When the grizzly arrived and I faced him head-on, it was he who became afraid and submissive, not I. Why? I belive it was God. He enables us to face what we greatly fear and will give us the strength to overcome that which intimidates us the most. That certainly has proven true for me." The lessons are there and are generally sound (though I was sorry to see a brief nod in the text towards John Eldredge's Wild at Heart, even though there are few real comparisons between the books.), but they are clearly secondary to the stories he tells. While it may attempt to be something else, this is really a book of entertaining short stories.

The book is written with a dry wit that offers many opportunities to chuckle. Here is a fairly typical example in which McElveen writes about Roscoe, an enormous moose he has seen and often hunted but has never been able to shoot. "I excitedly told the famous evangelist Franklin Graham, son of the even more famous evangelist Billy Graham, about Roscoe. Franklin wanted a chance to match his sit with the moose's and win himself a trophy rack like no other. Franklin is a great friend of mine, so I told him where Roscoe was, some tips on how to hunt him, and where he could try to land. I also cautioned him that Roscoe was a hardened reprobate, had little use for preachers, and would resist any invitation to Franklin's table."

As much as I enjoyed Wild Men, Wild Alaska it made me realize that I am in the right line of work and live in the right part of the continent. I am content to leave the adventuring, encounters with grizzlies and plane crashes to others, though admittedly these stories make for a far more exciting book.

While not the most spiritually-edifying book I've read this year, Wild Men, Wild Alaska served as great entertainment for an afternoon or two and I'm glad to recommend it to others.

Wild Men, Wild Alaska is the best hunting and fishing book I've ever read. Hemingway's great novels about hunting and fishing fall short of Rocky McElveen's impressive real life experiences. If you've never been to Alaska, this book will call you there.

A few years ago, I attended a conference where people told stories about their most amazing vacation adventures. I was riveted by one fellow who recounted tracking wild bears unarmed. The closest he got to a bear was to hear some rustling in the woods. Who knows if this was a bear, or a skunk? But he was following bear spoor. His ancient guide had long before fled in fear. Realizing that he could easily be outrun by a bear, he decided to leave rather than find out what was in the woods. Ever since I've heard that story, I've been wondering what it would be like to be close to a large, angry bear.

Wild Men, Wild Alaska is jammed with much more harrowing and thoughtful stories than the one that had previously riveted me. Now, I think of that earlier story as being like a walk in the park.

If Jack London were alive today, he would envy Rocky his experiences and stories.

Rocky McElveen operates Alaskan-Adventures with his wife Sharon. Sharon organizes, and Rocky leads the adventures . . . most of which are hunting or fishing trips with an emphasis on capturing trophy animals. His clients have included former president George H. W. Bush (and the book includes a fishing tale involving that gentleman), Chuck Yeager, Dave Dravecky, Pastor Chuck Swindoll and Bob Seiple. There's also a story about Mr. Dravecky hunting after having his arm amputated.

Each story takes you deep into the Alaskan wilderness to places, problems and animals you've probably never dreamed of. The middle of the book offers 16 pages of stunning color photographs that help make the stories come alive. As an example, one photograph reveals a hand holding open the mouth of an enormous (and presumably dead) bear. Imagine looking down that view up close! In another memorable photograph, a man's hand is placed next to a bear track that's twice the length of the hand.

The book contains fourteen vivid stories about Alaska, beginning with how Rocky ended up in the Alaskan adventure business. The book ends with some final musings about what the lure of wilderness adventure is all about.

Several stories focus on the dangers of flying into the bush to land in locations where there is no landing strip and to take off overloaded or into unexpectedly stormy conditions. To me, the most memorable stories are those where Rocky comes into dangerous, up-close contact with wild animals. As these contacts occur, his mind is filled with stories about what can go wrong . . . and many unexpected and thought-provoking events take place. His hunters also take some impressive risks, such as those who use bows and arrows for weapons rather than high powered rifles with scopes and the people who choose to run rivers that have never been run before.

What is the most dangerous game? You cannot help but think it's man as you learn how even the largest and best protected trophy animals can fall to gun shots from several hundred yards. Rocky has his own experiences in this regard after building a model camp as a jumping off point for wilderness adventures.

What is courage? Rocky responds in an instant to threats from animal, air, river or fellow hunter. But he finds himself sorely tested when tragedy strikes his family.

Like many of the best books about hunting in Africa, you'll feel your stomach start to tighten as Rocky tells about tracking wounded animals into dangerous territory.

The book is also grittily realistic. Butchering huge elk, caribou or bears is messy business. You are often packing 150-200 pounds of meat and hides long distances with little water and many predators lurking who would like to eat that fresh meat on your back.

Those who love to hunt and fish will no doubt be intrigued by the astonishing size of the animals that roam free in Alaska. Can you even imagine a bear that's 10 feet tall . . . or an elk which weighs 2,000 pounds?

I was once on a fishing trip near the Arctic Circle in Labrador. While there, I kept thinking about what a good idea it was not to get hurt. Reaching the nearest doctor could take a day, even in good weather. In bad weather, all bets were off. That trip was like a walk in my garden compared to what Rocky does. The book is deeply enlivened by tales of injuries and rescues that you'll never forget.

Rocky feels God's hand in all this. Each story ends with a reflection on the spiritual experience that transcends the physical adventure. In the final musings, Rocky points out that following what Jesus wants us to do is an even bigger adventure than one of his Alaskan hunting trips. And you know what, Rocky is right!

Whether you want to feel the Alaskan wilderness in your bones . . . or want to come closer to God through experiencing the primitive or testing yourself to the limits, Wild Men, Wild Alaska is an ideal book for you.

I first handed this off to the hunter-male of the house. "Wild Men, Wild Alaska" met with his complete approval. "Great set of short stories" was his terse reply. While not an in-depth review, I feel you can confidently gift any manly men in your life with this excellent set of 14 short stories or essays about life in Alaska.

Be warned, some of these stories are not for the faint-hearted (but faint-hearted people wouldn't be reading this now, would they?) One story tells of a team of hunters bagging several caribou in the deep mountains and then suffering extreme dehydration. After getting picked up by a small plane, they decide they HAVE to get off that mountain. Problem; their weight and the load of their dressed game is probably over the limit for safe flight. One scary flight later scraping alder tree tops, the hunters have souvenir branches to tell of their near-miss with pancaking on the forest floor. Dumb? Maybe.

There are photos and plenty of details of the wild. This is a book for hunters and fishers foremost and if you have hunters or fishermen in your family who like tales of derring-do, this will be a real treat.

Truly captivating. I could not stop reading. I needed to finish this book, but hoped it would never end.
9.17.06
I read chapter one online from the publishers website, www.wildmenwildalaska.com, and could not get enough. Not only is he spiritual he has a huge sense of humor and knows just how to recount his experiences with a perfect recipe of honest self-introspection, humorous euphemisms, and a constant but subtle reference to Deity and His role in our everyday life. Can't wait for the book to arrive.
9.25.06
USPS delivered the book about 3pm. We opened them here in the office but only had time to read the foreword and introduction. I read the introduction out-loud to Phill and Danny and quite enjoyed their reactions. Looking forward to reading the book tonight.
9.26.06
Read a full chapter to my kids last night before they went to bed. They were as spellbound as I. "Is he going to die?" "Will he get eaten by one of the grizzlies?" "How bad was he hurt?" "Dad, how can they land a plane on the top of a mountain?" "Why would they.........?"....... Aren't children a delight? After they settled down and went to sleep, I continued to read until mid-night when I finally put the book down and went to sleep with visions of twisted planes, caribou herds, and nine-foot-tall bears in my head. At 4:30 in the morning I found myself wide awake and looking for the book. Feeling as I read, that somehow I was there with them, wondering if, within me, there is enough mental and physical discipline to battle through similar experiences and emerge the victor, not just once, but time after time. Long before I turned the last page I realized that this book is not just about Alaska, it is about the deep introspection that each one of us should do on our own, but most of us won't until we are forced to by one of life's wake up calls that usually blindsides us on a quiet Tuesday afternoon.
9.27.06
This book takes a powerful hold. I can't stop myself from telling family and friends about it and that they have to read it.

This is an amazingly different and unique adventure book that tells true stories of incredible experiences about real men(some very famous) who have braved wild Alaska. Fourteen harrowing tales of danger, love, excitement and man's quest to find himself. It includes photos and awesome details about alaska and is written for both sexes. I laughed often, cried some and simply could not put this book down. My wife has read it 5 times and is crazy about it. Our kids love it too. Each chapter is a showstopper. Rocky, the author and main character, is fascinating. He will make a big impact and his book is the first I have bothered to review.