A testament to hope, the spirit of the volunteer, teamwork and the nature of man's best friend.

As a dog person through and through, in fact I'm convinced I was not a wolf but a dog in a previous life -a shout out must be done to the dogs (and the riders) if you please:

1. Togo! The Legend! The infant prodigy. You magnificent pooch. Born to lead, born to run. born to save that town of Nome, Alaska in the worst winter of that era. Big facts: Leonard Seppala and all 19 of your pack would have died on that ice without you. I cried so much at your bravery. Hope you get tons of treats and pets over that rainbow.
2. Blackie, Sally, Jimmy, Princess, Jack, Jet, Bear and Bob. This one is bittersweet. You started the relay bright and early and going against the rule of -40 you followed "Wild Bill" Shannon all the way and you succeeded even though it cost your pack four lives. Your are my heroes little furballs.
3. Bolto, you did your best in the very last stretch and in the end you sought no praise, to fame and no glory - that was all Gunner Kaasen. You got to the end in conditions that had already killed dogs along the relay. Good Boy!
4. The Relay Riders (Mushers) who could have died on the trail: Leonhard Seppala, Wild Bill Shannon, Edgar Kallands, Charlie Evans, George and Edgar Nollner, Curtis Welch, Titus Nickolai, Johnny Folger, Sam Joseph, Harry Pitka, Tommy Patsy, Myles Gonangnan, Vicktor Anagick, Henry Ivanoff, Dan Green, Charlie Olsen and Gunner Kaasen - such an amazing fete that saved lives.

Alright, in the words of "Wild Bill" Shannon": Hell Weltz, if people are dying ... let's get started.

I can't imagine what our 21st century pandemic would have done to the community of Nome, Alaska. The description of that Diphtheria disease sounded way to close to the past 3 years and that virus that set peoples lives back by about 3 years. And yet, without the resources we have to day - their death toll was actually only 5 in a span of 10 days. The sense of urgency and the work done by Governer Bone, Dr Welch, Emily Morgan and the Health Council of Nome could definitely teach our world a thing or two..

There were so many heroes, I have to single out the first relay team with the 300 000 units of the serum. Faced with this daunting task, some had just returned from a very long mail haul, heard they were needed to save the lives of children in the neighboring sister-town and they just went out, got their sleds ready and did it. Something about being brave in that time hits differently to our time. Maybe it's the overexposure of everything on all media platforms today but in the 1900s, facing all but certain death on the ice, these sledding teams did what was virtually impossible. For that and that alone, I will brave the cold Alaskan weather and come visit some tourist destinations dedicated to them.

Seriously though having just come out of a 3 year pandemic - when is earth going to stop trying to annihilate the 8 billion humans like we're parasites in the bloodstream? I mean it's already heating up like a fever on this surface. Sigh...will they be telling our story in the next 100 years and will it be as inspiring and unbelievable as this one? Or one big cautionary tale of dread, disappointment and warring ideologies?

Yeah if the immortality scientists could get a move on with the fountain of youth I'd be able to hang around until then.
( )

I just finished reading The Cruelest Miles: The Heroic Story of Dogs and Men in a Race Against an Epidemic
by Gay Salisbury and Laney Salisbury. This book was unexpectedly fascinating on many levels. The book is nominally about the carriage of diphtheria antitoxin from the railhead near Fairbanks, Alaska to the coast at Nome, through some of the coldest temperatures that state has experienced, and in unusually fierce blizzards. Nome had already been decimated by the Spanish Flu pandemic in 1918, described in The Great Influenza: The Story of the Deadliest Pandemic in History by John M. Barry. The book includes in its bibliography another book about the Arctic I read and enjoyed, Arctic Dreams by Barry Lopez.

The story of the race would have been exciting on its own. The book paints a vivid picture of early 20th Century Alaska, in the throes of the decline after the Klondike and Alaska Gold Rush of approximately 1897-1901. The book also contained descriptions of the history of the Eskimos (Eskimo, contrary to urban legend apparently refers to snowshoes, not "Eaters of Raw Flesh" and is not a derogatory term). Much of that description was surprisingly familiar; I remember it from Mrs. Boyle's Fourth Grade class in academic 1966-7.

The people behind the heroic rescue of Nome take second fiddle in the book to Man's Best Friend. The book subliminally makes the case that man's development, in Alaska at least, would have been impossible without the domestication of the dog from its ancient lupine ancestors. I have always thought that all human development from mere animals to the species we are would not have occurred without domestication of the dog.

Man could really accomplish things if they didn't have to keep a lookout for predators bigger and stronger than them, chief among those wolves. In the Arctic, dogs fulfill the vital function of providing transportation. Having a "doggedly" loyal and intelligent leader made travel over some very hazardous areas possible.

A solid five stars on Goodreads for this. ( )

The authors reveal their passion for Dr. Welch and the many mushers who helped bring the anti-toxin to Nome during the 1925 diphtheria outbreak. This is where the story of "Balto" comes from, but his story is really one of many dogs' stories. This goes right to the heart. ( )

If you want to read an exciting story about Alaska in the early 20th century and learn a bit about dog mushing as well, this is a must read. Excellent page turner. ( )

nonfiction (dog sledding to Nome, Alaska in 1925 local history)
interesting history. ( )

Can't stop listening. ( )

Interesting story about puppies nd their owners who delivered the diptheria antitoxin to Nome in 1925. ( )

Getting to read the real story of Balto after years of growing up with [b:The Bravest Dog Ever: The True Story of Balto|1219597|The Bravest Dog Ever The True Story of Balto|Natalie Standiford|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1346105023s/1219597.jpg|2136300] was a real treat for me. I suggest this book to any Balto fan because - here's the truth - the 1995 movie had one thing right for sure: "It's not exactly a one-dog show." ( )

The tale of the dogs and men who braved blizzard conditions to save Nome, Alaska, from diphtheria. ( )

Gripping story of the origin of the Idatarod race where diptheria medecine was dog-sledded to Nome Alaska by teams of trail workers. They were racing a plane as well. Fantastic story and hard to put down. ( )

The harsh winters of Alaska are legendary, but in 1925 a deadly diphtheria epidemic raged through the land and created a crisis like none before. Earlier in the year, the town doctor had realized that his supply of diphtheria antitoxin had expired. Although he ordered more, it failed to arrive on the last ship before the town became icebound. In all his years practicing medicine in Nome, Dr. Welch rarely had call to use the medicine, so he wasn’t worried. Unfortunately soon children were suffering from symptoms of severe sore throats. At first it looked like tonsillitis, but the germs at work proved to be a lot more deadly and fast. With a blizzard rapidly approaching, the only chance to save the people of Nome depended on teams of sled dogs. Twenty mushers and their dogs, the most famous of which was Balto, participated in the 1925 Serum Run. This is the thrilling journey that inspired the Iditarod Sled Dog Race in Alaska.

The Bottom Line: While this debut book by two cousins is sometimes repetitive, it is a quick, compelling read that keeps you hanging. With no roads, rails, flights, or boats available, this is a story of courage, survival, and adventure. It became a race against both time and the elements where the slightest miscalculation can cost you your life. Additionally, this book explores the bond between man and dog. Also, included in the book are many fascinating historical tidbits, black and white photos, and a map. Enthusiastically recommended for dog lovers, nonfiction aficionados, and history lovers.

For the complete review, including Book Club Notes, visit the Mini Book Bytes Book Review Blog. ( )

This story contained everything I could ever ask for in a book. It is an ethereal marriage of beautifully written poetic prose joined with a rich history so meticulously researched and documented that together have birthed a magnificent, rarely encountered sensory delight. I can only liken it to experiencing the "aurora borealis" for the first time. A mysterious, brilliant combination of elements that delights the heart and soul. A memory that lasts a lifetime. ( )

Diphtheria epidemic, 1925 Nome, Alaska

This was the perfect book to read in January. It's hard to feel so sorry for yourself about your 10 degree weather when they're dealing with 60 below! Amazing story. I loved reading about the bond between the dogs and the men. I am so thankful I don't live out there! That isolation is not for me. But what a great story. I couldn't put it down. Also made me thankful that we have vaccines and my kids never had to suffer from diphtheria. Highly recommended, especially for a winter read.
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"The Cruelest Miles-The Heroic Story of Dogs and Men in a Race Against an Epidemic" by Gay Salisbury and Laney Salisbury, is a book I read about at Age 30+...A Lifetime of Books.

Nome, Alaska in 1925 was icebound with no access other than 700 miles of snow and ice to the nearest railhead. Brave men and dogs formed relay teams when disaster struck in the form of Diphtheria. Compelling and so informative, the authors capture every nuance of the incredible story. A lone doctor struggling to save the children of Nome and the surrounding area, without the proper tools, and not losing hope that help would come in time in the from of serum to fight the epidemic. Without hesitation, and without thought of compensation, the men and their amazing dogs, carried the serum across the worst, most unforgiving landscape, in the worst weather imaginable. The fact that they succeeded is a testament to the strength of character that made Alaska great.

I was so lucky to find this book at my Library, and without Heather's review I might not have even heard about it. I love nonfiction, and this was such a good read, from start to finish. I highly recommend it, if you need something to read on a snowed in day. (you will be happy to know that you could be rescued) ( )

I loved this book and the story has stayed with me. Not a typical book for me, but it was recommended by a fellow dog lover. Amazing story and well written. ( )

Very good book. The story captures you with the dog teams and their mission to get diptheria vaccine through to people in need. I found the story captivating and cheered for the dogs. Set against the gold rush and Nome Alaska, the writer makes history and reality an enjoyable read. ( )

A history of Nome. An adventure-survival story. Sled dogs and a diphtheria epidemic. Brrrrrr. Good read.

William Mitchell, who laid down Alaska’s first telegraph lines before becoming the assistant chief of the U.S. Army Air Service, …described a trip on which he had been dogsledding on the trail to Valdez and came across a mailman who appeared to be kneeling by his tent, head leaning over his head. The mailman’s lead dog, a large black Newfoundland mix, sat by his side. ‘I called to the man but received no response, and going closer realized that he was frozen to death. The mail was in the sled under him. Between his teeth was a match and between his knees was a box where he had tried to scratch the match when his hands had frozen.’

Gritty’s Black Fly Stout
Farmington River Mahogany Ale

The sacrifices made by the sled drivers are awe-inspiring. The saga is interspersed with interesting information on Alaskan history and weather, sled dog breeds, and today's Iditarod. ( )

Sometimes got bogged down with details but overall a good presentation of a historical event in a readable story. In the end I cared as much about the individuals involved as in the whole story ( )

I thought this book was more history of Alaska than story of the dogs and men that helped stop an epidemic. I was looking more for the story of the dogs and sled "race" that saved Nome. Instead I learned a lot about Alaska's history and some about the actual trip. Still a good read. ( )

4005. The Cruelest Miles The Heroic Story of Dogs and Men in a Race against an Epidemic, by Gay Salisbury & Laney Salisbury (read 6 Apr 2005) This is an account of the race by dog sled to get diphtheria toxin to Nome, Alaska, in 1925. I did not think it too well-written and unless one pays close attention it is somewhat confusing, and also tells a lot about things related to Alaska but not to the central event. But the later chapters are especially poignant in their account of the extraordinary dogs involved--really amazing how devoted they were to their work and how much the drivers depended on the canny intelligence of the dogs. The race began Jan 17 and ended Feb 1, with 20 different dog drivers involved. One of the dogs, Balto, has his statue in New York's Central Park and reading this made me want to go see it. A great book for anyone with a heart for dogs. ( )

I seriously loved this book. A must haves for any fans of stories about Alaska, the 1920s, dogsledding, or history. Any fans of the movie or story of Balto should read this book. ( )

Account of the saving of Nome Alaska from a diphtheria epidemic by dog teams. ( )

Geshe Michael Roach