Fifty Years Below Zero: A Lifetime of Adventure in the Far North

Charlie Brower is one of the unique and historical "characters" of the Far North. I'll admit he is a distant relative and he was one of the family legends that I thought a tall tale until I read the book. I am amazed that folks got around so much in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Not only around the world, but across the Arctic tundra on days journeys via dog sled, cheating death at many a turn. The basic story of a WASP man learning local Inupiaq traditions is facinating, along with the accounts of an assortment of folks who tripped by Barrow, AK, the most northern point in the US. The evolution of Barrow and how Alaska changed in the 20th Century is interesting; native traditions are not perfect either. This book should be read with the more recent "Sadie Brower Neakok : An Inupiaq Woman" by Margaret B. Blackman. Sadie is one of his many children, and her account is a companion to "50 Years." She was born at the end of his book and then carries on from her mixed heritage in the continuum of Alaska history. Though not as great a tale, it is useful to see how the story continued.

Charlie Brower is one of the unique and historical "characters" of the Far North. I'll admit he is a distant relative and he was one of the family legends that I thought a tall story until I read the book. I am amazed that folks got around so much in the later 1800s and early 1900s. Not only around the world, but across the arctic tundra on days journeys via dog sled, cheating death at many a turn. The basic story of a WASP man meeting local Inupiaq traditions is facinating, along with the accounts of people who tripped by the farthest point in Barrow, AK and how Alaska changed in the 20th Century. This book should be read with the more recent "Sadie Brower Neakok : An Inupiaq Woman" by Margaret B. Blackman. Sadie is one of his many children, and her account is a companion to the end of his book and then carries on from her mixed heritage on the continuum of Alaska history. Though not as great a tale, it is useful to see how the story continued.

If you want to know about the spirituality of The Inupiaq eskimos read this book!

For anyone who enjoys late 19th/ early 20th century american history this is a must. Charles Brower, like other early european settlers of the American west was able to see a culture before its early traditions, customs, and language were lost. He was able to write about his experience in a way that many can relate to. An incredible tale of life at the top of the world.

This autobiography is full of the most amazing stories from the first western person to permantely live with the Inupiat Eskimos of Alaskas North Slope. A worth while read for some great real life adventure.