Coming into the Country

By: John McPhee

Narrated by: Nelson Runger

Coming into the Country is an unforgettable account of Alaska and Alaskans. It is a rich tapestry of vivid characters, observed landscapes, and descriptive narrative, in three principal segments that deal, respectively, with a total wilderness, with urban Alaska, and with life in the remoteness of the bush.

Listeners of McPhee's earlier books will not be unprepared for his surprising shifts of scene and ordering of events, brilliantly combined into an organic whole. In the course of this volume, we are made acquainted with the lore and techniques of placer mining, the habits and legends of the barren-ground grizzly, the outlook of a young Athapaskan chief, and tales of the fortitude of settlers—ordinary people compelled by extraordinary dreams. Coming into the Country unites a vast region of America with one of America's notable literary craftsmen, singularly qualified to do justice to the scale and grandeur of the design.

©1977 John McPhee (P)1990 Recorded Books

great book

I am a lifetime Sugpiaq... from the coast. this book makes me smile ... the narrator is good but he pronounces some words very wrong... I laugh... but I enjoy. one thing that stinks... nonAlaskans... deciding the direction of Alaska.. I say...boogeroff!

Classic John Mcphee

Apparently spending years in the state doing research, from the city to deep bush, talking to politicians and living among gold miners, his lilting style makes a whole lot of detail palatable.

great book

great book. I grew up in eagle so I know the people in the story. didnt like how many names that were not pronounced correctly. especially my maiden name

Classic Alaska Non-Fiction Remains Timely

Would you listen to Coming into the Country again? Why?

I generally only read or listen to a book once, but I might refer back to some of this one's prose.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The Gelvin family. Practical, competent, decent.

What does Nelson Runger bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He's an accomplished pro. His reading does not get in the way of the prose.

Any additional comments?

Publish everything of McPhee's that you can.

Fantastic all around.

This book was a great explanation of pre 1980 Alaskan living. It will definitely give you a better understanding of the bush.