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Maria V. Snyder's Reviews > The Cruelest Miles: The Heroic Story of Dogs and Men in a Race Against an Epidemic
The Cruelest Miles: The Heroic Story of Dogs and Men in a Race Against an Epidemic
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If you like adventure stories of amazing feats during the most difficult circumstances, this book is for you! Make sure you have a warm drink and a blanket nearby because it's about to get cold.
I sort of knew the story of this historic event. The people living in Nome, Alaska were experiencing a diphtheria outbreak and needed serum/vaccine. And the only way to get it to Nome in January 1925 was via dog team from Seward, Alaska - approximately 1200 miles away. So the governor set up a relay and they set out - without cell phones, GPS, or any high-tech cold weather gear!
Today they race the Iditarod over roughly the same route - they start in Anchorage so the race is about 1100 miles. But they race in mid-March instead of January. The 50th running of the Iditarod was going on while I read this book - perfect timing! I was checking updates of the race while reading, and following their route through Alaska. I'd like to congratulate Brent Sass and his dog team on their first place finish!
And kudos to the Iditarod veterinary team's selection of Dan Kaduce of Chatanika to win the Leonhard Seppala Humanitarian Award for outstanding dog care (also came in 4th). He ended with the same 14 dogs he started with! Those amazing dogs ran 1100 miles!! And I've been to Alaska and visited the Husky Homestead, those dogs just love to run - you can see it by how excited they are to get picked for a team. I thought the Homestead would be one of those cheesy tourist traps, but it was so much fun!
I sort of knew the story of this historic event. The people living in Nome, Alaska were experiencing a diphtheria outbreak and needed serum/vaccine. And the only way to get it to Nome in January 1925 was via dog team from Seward, Alaska - approximately 1200 miles away. So the governor set up a relay and they set out - without cell phones, GPS, or any high-tech cold weather gear!
Today they race the Iditarod over roughly the same route - they start in Anchorage so the race is about 1100 miles. But they race in mid-March instead of January. The 50th running of the Iditarod was going on while I read this book - perfect timing! I was checking updates of the race while reading, and following their route through Alaska. I'd like to congratulate Brent Sass and his dog team on their first place finish!
And kudos to the Iditarod veterinary team's selection of Dan Kaduce of Chatanika to win the Leonhard Seppala Humanitarian Award for outstanding dog care (also came in 4th). He ended with the same 14 dogs he started with! Those amazing dogs ran 1100 miles!! And I've been to Alaska and visited the Husky Homestead, those dogs just love to run - you can see it by how excited they are to get picked for a team. I thought the Homestead would be one of those cheesy tourist traps, but it was so much fun!
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The Cruelest Miles.
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Reading Progress
March 7, 2022
–
Started Reading
March 7, 2022
– Shelved
March 8, 2022
–
26.22%
"Perfect timing to be reading this book as the Iditarod is running in Alaska this week!"
page
70
March 16, 2022
–
Finished Reading
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Michelle
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Apr 01, 2022 12:05AM
There’s a great documentary on Prime about this race too! “The Great Alone”. Balto was also one of my favourite movies growing up so you best believe I ordered this book immediately! Thanks for the rec!
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Michelle wrote: "There’s a great documentary on Prime about this race too! “The Great Alone”. Balto was also one of my favourite movies growing up so you best believe I ordered this book immediately! Thanks for the..."Ooooh thanks for letting me know about the documentary! I never saw Balto, but heard the name and it was one of those moments when I finally put the two together! I hope you enjoy it!
We've been to the Husky Homestead as well. So interesting and the dogs are amazing. Jeff King has a book that we had signed to our dog who isn't a husky but loves to run! Great book, great experience.
Kelly - readinginthe419 wrote: "We've been to the Husky Homestead as well. So interesting and the dogs are amazing. Jeff King has a book that we had signed to our dog who isn't a husky but loves to run! Great book, great experience."It was a fun stop! I bought and read Jeff's book - it's what got me hooked on the Iditarod. :)
