A Place Beyond - by Nick Jans (Paperback)

About the Book

Nick Jans leads us into his "found" home --- the Eskimo village of Ambler, Alaska, and the vast wilderness around it. In his powerful essays, the rhythms of daily arctic life blend with high adventure --- camping among the wolves, traveling with Inupiat hunters, witnessing the Kobuk River at spring breakup.

The poignancy of a village funeral comes to life, hordes of mosquitoes whine against a tent, a grizzly stands etched against the snow --- just a sampling of the images and events rendered in Jan's transparent, visual prose. Moments of humor ar offset by haunting insights, and by thoughtful reflections on contemporary Inupiaq culture, making A Place Beyond a book to read and enjoy.

Book Synopsis

Nick Jans leads us into his "found" home --- the Eskimo village of Ambler, Alaska, and the vast wilderness around it. In his powerful essays, the rhythms of daily arctic life blend with high adventure --- camping among the wolves, traveling with Inupiat hunters, witnessing the Kobuk River at spring breakup.

The poignancy of a village funeral comes to life, hordes of mosquitoes whine against a tent, a grizzly stands etched against the snow --- just a sampling of the images and events rendered in Jan's transparent, visual prose. Moments of humor ar offset by haunting insights, and by thoughtful reflections on contemporary Inupiaq culture, making A Place Beyond a book to read and enjoy.

Review Quotes

What has always impressed me about Jans' writing is his modesty and ability to describe scenes aptly without exaggeration...Jans can write about wolves and caribou and ice mostly engagingly, but he is at his best telling of himself and his friends. --- Bill Hunt, We Alaskans

About the Author

Nick Jans is one of Alaska's most recognized and prolific writers. A contributing editor to "Alaska" magazine with his long-running column, "On the Edge," and a member of the USA Today's board of editorial contributors, he's written name books and hundreds of magazine articles. Jans has also been the recipient of numerous writing awards, most recently two Ben Franklin medals (2007 and 2008). He currently lives in Juneau with his wife, Sherrie, and travels widely in Alaska. He returns each year to Ambler, the arctic Inupiaq village he still calls "home."