The Iditarod close up and personal
I am an ardent follower of the Iditarod the sled dog race from Anchorage to Nome, AK - though I live in sunny Houston, TX!
This is a rather old book, but just IMHO, the one, of those that I have read, that describes the race most completely. The author, Brian Patrick O'donoghue, mostly a newsman, finished the race and won the Red Lantern (last place) that year - 1991, but it's an accomplishment just to finish the race.
This book, though of a particular race in a particular year, is timeless in its description of the dogs and mushers on the Iditarod. It tells clearly the story of the trials of the trail, the in-fighting, the discomforts, the perennially problematic weather, the problems of the dogs, and yes Rainy, his lesbian lead dog.
But there are also the stories of the heroism, the brotherhood, the hosiptality of the Alaskan villages, the dedication of the veterinarians, and of the indomitable mushers and sled dogs.
I recommend this book for anyone interested in sled dogs or the Iditarod.
