The Cruelest Miles

The Heroic Story of Dogs and Men in a Race Against an Epidemic

By: Gay Salisbury, Laney Salisbury

Narrated by: Barrett Whitener

Length: 9 hrs and 35 mins

Publisher's summary

The year is 1925. It is sixty degrees below zero. The wind sweeps tons of snow over the deep-frozen Alaskan landscape. The nearest railhead is seven hundred miles away. Airplanes cannot fly. The way to Nome is blocked by a treacherous frozen sound, an icebound port, and mountains to the west. But there is a diphtheria epidemic in Nome. The children need serum from the outside world if they are to survive. Their only hope is a few chosen Eskimo drivers and their teams of dogs, who must make a relay race across the wilderness if the serum is to get to Nome in time. The heroism and stamina of the men and their dogs can only be called legendary. Now, their story can be told.

©2003 Gay Salisbury and Laney Salisbury (P)2003 Books On Tape, Inc.

Critic reviews

"This is an elegantly written book, inspiring tremendous respect for the hardy mushers and their canine partners." (Publishers Weekly)
"The Salisburys have written an amazing story of endurance and courage." (Booklist)
"Margot Dionne delivers this mind-numbing experience in a calm voice, allowing the words to convey the terror and agony that characterized the journey." (AudioFile)

Sepals

What’s fantastic story of courage. Bravery. Endurance. Incredible story of dogs and men and the elements.

Beautiful and harrowing

This gives such a heartwarming and at the same time heart wrenching account of this historical event. I appreciated that he gave the Native mushers their due as well. Togo forever!!!

The Cruelest Miles Makes Exciting Reading

Fans of adventure stories will love this book. Certainly the rescue of Nome, Alaska from a 1925 diptheria epidemic is an exciting story. Gay and Laney Salisbury's book also includes a lot of Alaskan history and information about Eskimo culture. Their careful research and attention to detail make their stories about the dog drivers and especially the sled dogs positively riveting.

Excellent!!

It's seldom I come across a modern book that both entertains as well as educates me. This work did both. I learned so much about Alaska, their people, their way of life. I felt transported into their world. I learned not only about diptheria but also felt the agony and despair that those children experienced. My spirit was exulted by the human drama of common man transformed into heroes by a love of their fellow men. And more than anything, I gain a new appreciation and love for the amazing dogs. Simply put --- excellent!

Riveting

The Cruelist Miles was not only a wonderful history lesson, but you ride along with the mushers as they risk their lives to help save the people of Nome. As a dog lover, I was so captured by the extreme intelligence of these animals and how they would keep on going and endure freezing conditions and exhaustion so as not to let their musher down. I cannot say enough about this book.

Must read for animal and history lovers

Beautiful story of Alaska's history and the bond between man and dog. Inspiring and informational. The reader was one of the best I have heard so far on an audio book.

Very informative!

I had recently watched the movie "Togo," and it had gotten me really interested in the Serum run. I thought it was neat to hear about the culture and heritage of Alaska along with also learning about the men who were in the serum run. it was a wonderful read and I'll definitely be listening to it again.

Now You Know The Rest Of The Story!

The story is one I read about in a short article in a high school science book. So many decisions needed to be made to save Nome from Diphtheria. What brave men and DOGS to fight Alaska’s elements!

The reader had a very monotonous about voice making what could have been exciting parts of the book boring.

Just started listening- looking forward to more!

I've listened to 90 min. of this title, and can already say that it's going to be one of my favorite listens so far.
The story and Alaska's scenery are wonderfully worded, and all is beautifully narrated.
Keep you posted!

Amazing true story and great read! Entertaining and inspirational!

This may have been the most enjoyable nonfiction book I have read other than the Bible. Not only did it tell the story of Nome’s Great Mercy race, but gave much detail about each person and historical event connected with the story. I was fascinated to learn some of the challenges of the Alaskan climate and the ways the native people have survived for thousands of years. Due honor was also given to those who sacrificed much to save many lives.
I found it hard to stop listening to this book and was a bit sad when it was finished.