Alaska News

Reading the North

Natalia Shelikhova: Russian Oligarch of Alaska Commerce

Edited and Translated by Dawn Lea Black and Alexander Yu. Petrov (University of Alaska Press, $29.95)

The blurb: A variety of primary source materials relating to the life and work of Natalia Shelikhova, a pioneering 19th-century Russian-American businesswoman.

Excerpt: "Now let me inform you about nonessential local news. I have heard recently that there is a rumor in town that Billings tattled on you to Her Majesty saying that you cheated Her in that you asked for a group of people (to go to America) for no reason. Billings said he saw that you have nothing in America and that you made up everything and that you lied to Her Majesty, having made up things in your own mind. They say that Her Majesty became angry and sent a courier to bring you back from the road and take you to St. Petersburg in chains. It is said the courier passed by in secret, and no one knows about him except Larion Timofeevich (Nagel). It is also said in the whole town that you will come here soon and many other trifles. I will cease describing them."

Snapshots of Seward: A History in Photos

Edited by Amy Mow (Seward Community Library Association, $16.95)

The blurb: A collection of photographs and brief descriptions documenting the founding and early days of Seward.

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Excerpt: "Only a few pilings are left of the once prominent San Juan Fishing and Packing Company. It was located on the shoreline across from the site of a small children's playground today. Work began on the plant in 1917 on land leased from the Alaska Railroad. Initially Chinese laborers were hired to man the plant."

The Sourdough Man

By Cherie B. Stihler. Illustrations by Barbara Lavallee (Sasquatch Books, $10.95)

The blurb: A northern version of the classic gingerbread man tale.

Excerpt: "Grandmother rolled the sourdough onto the table. "I will make this a sweet treat for Qujhaaq," said Grandmother. First she added bearberries to the dough, then pulled and squished the dough into the shape of a little man. Grandmother added two blueberries for eyes and poked in dried cranberries for a mouth. She squeezed a few cloudberries for a little atikluq for a body and a tiny pair of mukluks for his feet. Grandmother brushed the Sourdough Man with butter and sprinkled sugar and cinnamon all over. As a final touch she gave his cheeks a little pinch to make a cheery smile."

-- Compiled by Gretchen Weiss, Anchorage Daily News

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