• The Final Frontiersman

  • Heimo Korth and His Family, Alone in Alaska's Arctic Wilderness
  • By: James Campbell
  • Narrated by: Dan Woren
  • Length: 12 hrs and 25 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (1,857 ratings)

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The Final Frontiersman

By: James Campbell
Narrated by: Dan Woren
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Publisher's summary

The inspiration for The Last Alaskans - the eight-part documentary series on Animal Planet.

Hundreds of hardy people have tried to carve a living in the Alaskan bush, but few have succeeded as consistently as Heimo Korth. Originally from Wisconsin, Heimo traveled to the Arctic wilderness in his feverous 20s. Now, more than four decades later, Heimo lives with his wife approximately 200 miles from civilization - a sustainable, nomadic life bounded by the migrating caribou, the dangers of swollen rivers, and the very exigencies of daily existence.

In The Final Frontiersman, Heimo's cousin, James Campbell, chronicles the Korth family's amazing experience, their adventures, and the tragedy that continues to shape their lives. With a deft voice and in spectacular, at times unimaginable detail, Campbell invites us into Heimo's heartland and home. The Korths wait patiently for a small plane to deliver their provisions, listen to distant chatter on the radio, and go sledding at 44 degrees below zero - all the while cultivating the hard-learned survival skills that stand between them and a terrible fate. Awe inspiring and memorable, The Final Frontiersman is like a rustic version of the American dream and reveals for the first time a life most of us have never imagined: amid encroaching environmental pressures, apart from the herd, and alone in a stunning wilderness that - for now - remains the final frontier.

©2015 James Campbell (P)2015 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

What listeners say about The Final Frontiersman

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Impressive life story!

I first heard of heimo and Edna by watching a one hour program on YouTube made by vice a couple of years ago, and recently I took my time to watch the last alaskans to view more of their life. Being a hunter and outdoorsy person I've always found those kind of stories inspiring!

And now 2 days after I started on this book, I'm must say that I'm even more impressed by heimo and his family's life and his dedication to the bush!

The story was well told and the narrator did a great job telling it, nothing to complain about there at all!

I wish them both a long and happy life out there in the wilderness! (yes, they still live out there as far as I know)

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24 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Interesting Story

While it was interesting to hear about the Korth's life as a family and some of what lead to their living in the bush, I would have liked to hear more about HOW they lived. More about trapping, hunting, woodslore. I understand that wasn't inyended to be the focus of this book, but maybe another installmet could offer more insight? Maybe some more survival and "close call" stories.

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19 people found this helpful

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    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

politically correct

I enjoyed the book until the global warming preaching started and other politically correct ideas leached into the story from the author.

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16 people found this helpful

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    1 out of 5 stars
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I have never hated a book more.

This man, the central character of this book, is not a charming relic of a bygone way of life. He is a selfish and short sighted person and frankly nothing more than a hobo who has learned to support his alternative (i.e. unemployed) lifestyle in the way that most agrees with his antisocial, and frankly sociopathic at times, personality. I am no member of PETA (a group often mocked in these pages) but a detailed description of killing foxes with a person's booted foot is a touch more than I can handle (would you like to know the sound a fox makes when his lungs are being crushed?) Also, it should be noted that this fox was trapped by a leg snare for its fur, not for eating purposes- I got through that part though. Later, The book speaks of the reason this man needs to live his nomadic lifestyle is his tendency to "trap out" areas. I'm no expert but this really doesn't sound like living within nature's balance - I got through this part. The real issue I have with this person is the story of the almost unspeakable tragedy that his family suffered when his raft was involved in an accident on the river and his daughter was never seen again. What a horrible event and one that I can't even imagine going through myself as a mother. But, why was this family, with this toddler and another school age daughter, I might add, on this barely thawed river in the first pace? It shows a deviant, pathological selfishness on the part of the "adults" in this child's life. This baby belonged somewhere safe but was instead sacrificed to a totally unnecessary and completely ridiculous fashion statement made by a man who didn't like living like a regular person. Then, the parents compound their mistake by raising 2 additional children in this obviously dangerous way of life. This should not be a book, this should be a criminal case.

The narrator was fine. I'm sorry he and I were both was exposed to this story. Please don't purchase this book.

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14 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Just a great read (listen)

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this book to anyone that enjoys this genre.

What did you like best about this story?

It is a well written story about an exceedingly interesting family. Heimo, is an extraordinary man. He is the type of person it seems to me that would be a lot of fun to be able to visit, and sit around the fire to listen to his stories.

What does Dan Woren bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He gets an "A plus" from me.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I was moved by the entire story. It is a story that allowed me to vicariously live in my mind in away I know I could never live in real life. I was moved by many aspects of the story. The loss of his child and the amazing relationship he has with his wife are very compelling. However, by far most interesting is their life in Alaska as a whole.

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14 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Freedom.

Any person feeling the tiring burden of our civilization, this account of retiring to the NE bush of Alaska is truly releaving.

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12 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Heart of Alaska

The most incredible adventurous book I have ever read. It really sparks a dream in me to head for Alaska. Real. Raw. Interesting. I did not like that it ended so quickly!!!!

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12 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Great story!

This book needs to be a movie! loved it ! An epic adventure for an epic time!

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11 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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life in the Alaskan bush

well written and compelling. this is a great, realistic exploration of the Alaskan explorer. weekday makes them want to be out there, how do they survive, and what is it like? it almost makes me want to see if I could do it. almost. I think so many things want to romanticize it, but is s very honest and realistic look. it also had a light look at the politocs and realities of it, which I also think is great. not too much to be peachy, but enough to at least begin to understand the debate.

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amazing!

if you like watching the last Alaskans you will love this book! I have listened to it 3 times already. it is my go to book when I need to relax and get away from everyday stress. I wish he would write another book about heimo and Edna korth. Of all the books I've read this is one I will always keep.

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10 people found this helpful