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

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

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!

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.

Portrait of Alaska as a Young State

A wonderful snapshot of Alaska after statehood! With reference to the origins of the Alaska territory, the author covers a period early in the state's history where American's "went into the country" in search of a connection to the land. The stresses and pressures of Alaska in the 1960's, 1970's, and 1980's as state, federal, and native claims to the land affected mining, energy development, population, and key decisions like the location of the state capital. Thoroughly enjoyed this snapshot into the history and culture of Alaska!

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.

Wonderful Story

A very good book and very good narration. It was very enjoyable. I highly recommend it .

Well written with humor

Well written with humor. I wish I could have met John McPhee. Made me want to go to Eagle, Alaska.

Reader mispronounces many names

I'm from Alaska and was dismayed at all the mispronunciations for names and various words the author made. Is there no proofing before a story goes out?
The story itself was as captivating this reading as it was 34 years ago when I had just arrived in Alaska.

A somewhat disjointed glimpse of Alaska

I found it somewhat challenging to stay engaged in this book. Seemed to ramble from one point to another without a storyline to effectively tie everything together. Parts of the narrative seemed to be whiny. Made it all the way through - continuing to work through Alaska based books before my trip up north. The first couple of books I went through (Williwaw and Into the Wild) were great. The last two, not so much.