The sun is a compass : a 4,000-mile journey into the Alaskan wilds / Caroline Van Hemert.
For fans of Cheryl Strayed, the gripping story of a biologist's human-powered journey from the Pacific Northwest to the Arctic to rediscover her love of birds, nature, and adventure. During graduate school, as she conducted experiments on the peculiarly misshapen beaks of chickadees, ornithologist Caroline Van Hemert began to feel stifled in the isolated, sterile environment of the lab. Worried that she was losing her passion for the scientific research she once loved, she was compelled to experience wildness again, to be guided by the sounds of birds and to follow the trails of animals. In March of 2012 she and her husband set off on a 4,000-mile wilderness journey from the Pacific rainforest to the Alaskan Arctic, traveling by rowboat, ski, foot, raft, and canoe. Together, they survived harrowing dangers while also experiencing incredible moments of joy and grace -- migrating birds silhouetted against the moon, the steamy breath of caribou, and the bond that comes from sharing such experiences. A unique blend of science, adventure, and personal narrative, the book explores the bounds of the physical body and the tenuousness of life in the company of creatures whose daily survival is nothing short of miraculous. It is a journey through the heart, the mind, and some of the wildest places left in North America. In the end, The Sun Is a Compass is a love letter to nature, an inspiring story of endurance, and a beautifully written testament to the resilience of the human spirit.
Record details
- ISBN: 9780316414425
- ISBN: 0316414425
- Physical Description: vii, 308 pages, 16 unnumbered pages of plates : color illustrations ; 22 cm
- Edition: First edition.
- Publisher: New York : Little, Brown Spark, 2019.
Content descriptions
General Note: | Includes index. |
Language Note: | Text in English. |
Search for related items by subject
Subject: | Van Hemert, Caroline > Travel > Alaska. Alaska > Description and travel. Ornithologists > United States > Biography. |
Available copies
- 1 of 1 copy available at Kenton County.
Holds
- 0 current holds with 1 total copy.
Other Formats and Editions
Show Only Available Copies
Location | Call Number / Copy Notes | Barcode | Shelving Location | Status | Due Date |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Erlanger Branch | B V255 2019 (Text) | 33126022726446 | Adult Biography | Available | - |