Letters from the Carpenter's Wife - by Leah Allender (Paperback)

About the Book

Leah Allender's cozy memoir chronicles her winter 1971-72 adventure at Glacier Bay Lodge. A piece of Alaskan history, heartwarming and humorous.

Book Synopsis

A cozy memoir of Alaskan history, heartwarming and humorous. The book is a compelling tale of blizzards, harrowing travel, quirky characters, fellowship, and kitchen drama. Charming illustrations enhance the engaging storyline written over 50 years ago. Leah Allender's memoir chronicles her winter 1971-72 adventure at Glacier Bay Lodge. Husband Jack had been hired as carpenter foreman for the NPS lodge expansion. Gracious in her daily life, candid in letters to family, Leah loved her time in Alaska during the worst winter in 40 years.

Review Quotes

"A delightful read, Letters from the Carpenter's Wife. I liked Leah more and more as the story unfolded. I was eager to get to know her, a woman in her fifties with fairly straight habits living among a bunch of grubby men in their twenties. It's classic.... the cook is either loved or hated, feelings are never neutral. Leah was loved. She was so joyful, happy-go-lucky, and appreciated adventure. She found the best in people and seemed quite lenient and generous in her judgments of others. I came to like her slapstick and self-deprecating humor - she even made humor out of some misadventure. And her description of her interaction with (husband) Jack over his hair and beard made me laugh out loud.

It's a heartwarming story about the little society at Bartlett Cove which held together in spite of all that snow and cold and equipment breakdowns. The book leaves you feeling good."

- Theodore Catton

"...Leah was so adventurous, such a positive outlook - book was hard to put down. Perhaps in 2010 our family stayed in one of the rooms Jack helped build. Seems like a world without streaming services and social media really enhanced social interaction. Wish we could partake in some of those breads and pies out of the oven!"

- Steve & Marilyn Polis

"...absolutely wonderful, well done! I love the "voice" that Leah has."

- Esther Poirier