Author Description

Alaska is a state of the union twice as big as Texas, containing as much land as a fifth of the continental United states, possessing extraordinary mineral resources including all-important oil reserves, and offering a climate that ranges from the boiling heat of summer to the most forbidding depths of winter cold. Alaska is a state of mind where whites must battle isolation and boredom, natives must come to terms with the proximity of a totally alien way of life and the spirit of rugged individualism must do battle with the rewards offered by corporate loyalty. Going to Extremes is Joe McGinniss's eye-witness report on the entire state of Alaska. Joe McGinniss did not set out to judge or explain, but only to find out what Alaska is. He has succeeded, for almost everything he says is news. - Paul Theroux, NY Times Book Review McGinniss is a first-rate reporter whose stories convey the culture shock wracking present-day Alaska. - The New Republic This moving and absorbing work gives fine insight into the Alaskan's effort to lead full lives in a surrounding that is demanding and bleak, yet incredibly beautiful and inspiring. - Sierra Magazine