The Great Book of Alaska: The Crazy History of Alaska with Amazing Random Facts & Trivia

A Trivia Nerds Guide to the History of the United States

By: Bill O'Neill

Narrated by: Derek Newman

Length: 3 hrs and 25 mins

Publisher's Summary

Do you want to learn more about Alaska? Sure, you know it’s cold and dark for a large portion of the year, but what else do you really know about the "Last Frontier"? There’s so much to learn about the state that even people here don’t know. In this trivia book, you’ll learn more about Alaska’s history, pop culture, folklore, sports, and so much more! 

In The Great Book of Alaska, you’ll discover the answers to the following questions: 

Where did Alaska get its state nickname? 

Which famous animal hero came from the state?

What movie, which was based on a true story, was filmed in the state? 

What classic American novel was inspired by Alaska’s Klondike Gold Rush?

Which Alaskan musician’s family has a reality TV show about life in the state? 

What serial killer came out of Alaska?

What monster is believed to be lurking in Iliamna Lake? 

And so much more!

This book is packed with trivia facts about Alaska. Some of the facts are shocking, some of them are sad, and some of them will give you goosebumps, but all of them will be interesting! This book is full of everything you’ve ever wondered about Alaska and then some. 

Whether you’re just learning about Alaska or you already think you’re an expert on the state, you’re bound to learn something new in each chapter. Your friends will be amazed at your knowledge during your next trivia night. You’ll even impress your history teacher! 

So, what are you waiting for? Dig in to learn everything there is to know about Alaska!

©2018 LAK Publishing (P)2018 LAK Publishing

Woefully inaccurate

I am an Alaskan. I thought it would be fun to grab a general title to see if I could learn anything new about my state.

Oh. Boy.

A few minutes in, and the “facts” presented lack the essential nuance necessary to even be presented as such.

For instance, the book states that the sun shines “24 hours a day in Alaska in the summer.” No qualification. This is presented as brute fact. In reality, the latitude in Alaska varies so immensely that in the southern part of the state (where the vast majority of people live) this is not *remotely* true.

This is *not* the only untruth in this book. I am stating it as an example for the case of brevity. I cannot be confident in the “facts” I am being presented in this title.

It’s sad, because I was looking forward to some fun facts about The Last Frontier. Either the author is a genuinely poor researcher, or they truly don’t care enough about the subject matter to educate their audience.

He's mispronouncing EVERYTHING!

The book itself is great so far but the narrator clearly didn't bother to get correct pronunciations of even the most basic of words and names from Alaska! I'm getting legit anxiety over this but I really want to finish the book.

Great Trivia Book!!

Another great book of trivia about another state! I love listening to Mr. O'Neill's trivia books! He really does his homework and then writes it in an entertaining way to catch your attention and keep it to the end. If you enjoy trivia then you should check out this book as well as Bill O'Neill's other books. You won't be disappointed! The narration was nice as well. Derek Newman read at a nice pace and has a pleasant voice to listen to. Thank you both for an enjoyable listening experience! Keep'em coming Mr. O'Neill, keep'em coming!

I was given this free review copy audio book at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

So Wrong!

I thought I downloaded a book for kids at first but it’s just poorly written. Also, so much of this information is just plain wrong. Skip this book.

Alaska facts

Loved it. Lots of amazing facts. I like the short quizzes at the end of each chapter.

Listened to while driving around Alaska!

Relevant and entertaining. Very interesting facts! Many surprises and just a fun way to learn.

I tried I really tried

I love random facts but I just couldn't. if he could say it with one word he would use four. first he tells you what he is going to tell you. the he asks the question "did you know", then he tells you, then no lie at the end he gives you a multiple choice test.

and the narration is awful.

I rarely quit on books especially when they are this short but I just could not finish it

A fun listen!

The Great Book of Alaska: The Crazy History of Alaska with Amazing Random Facts & Trivia (A Trivia Nerds Guide to the History of the United States) by Bill O'Neill and narrated by Derek Newman is a fun listen! I’d recommend (with some caution- see below) if you are looking to expand your knowledge, wanting something interesting to pass the time on a road trip, or looking for something new.

Some examples of what to expect: permafrost, why there is no professional sports team, gold mining, weird laws (it’s illegal to push a moose from a plane), why prices for food and gas are more expensive, pizza deliver via airplane, hunting, igloos, the real purpose behind kunik, famous people born in Alaska, the most climbed mountain, what is a reindeer dog, kayak origin, powdered beer, the Alaska Bushman, Alaska Bermuda Triangle, and plenty more! At the end of each chapter there is a quiz.

The narrator, Derek Newman, did an awesome job! I would listen to another book by him.

~A brief description~
1) Title, author, and narrator (18 seconds).
2) Introduction. Approximately 3 minutes.
3) Alaska’s History and Random Facts. Approximately 39 minutes.
4) Alaska’s “Eskimos”: The Natives, and Their Culture. Approximately 38 minutes.
5) Alaska’s Pop Culture and Sports. Approximately 35 minutes.
6) Facts About Alaska’s Attractions. Approximately 31 minutes.
7) Alaska’s Inventions, Ideas, and More. Approximately19 minutes.
8) Alaska’s Biggest Haunts, Supernatural, and Other Weird Facts. Approximately 38 minutes.
9) Conclusion (title, author, narrator, and publisher- 27 seconds).

Regarding the bad reviews which list three things specifically (you can decide if they are inaccurate or not): 1) Christopher McCandless- The author discusses the movie Into the Wild and how it’s one of the better known movies that have been filmed in Alaska, it was based off a book, and mentions Christopher traveled across North America making it to Alaska, had planned to live off the land, “The Magic Bus”, and McCandless’s death and the controversy surrounding it. 2) Bristol Palin and her TV show Life’s a Tripp- the author says “The show followed Bristol Palin, who was then new teen mother of Tripp, as she relocated to Los Angeles from Alaska and then back to Alaska.” 3) Jerry Lee Lewis song- the author talks about songs that have been written about Alaska, “some of these include “When It’s Springtime in Alaska” by Johnny Horton, “North to Alaska” by Jerry Lee Lewis, and...” This fact is the one I have a problem with as Johnny Horton originally recorded the song. Whether or not it is an error on the author or editor, it should be fixed.

Parental guidance/trigger warnings: talk of serial killers, war, pipeline controversies, mention of Alaska being the rape capital of the USA, derogatory term used multiple times (Eskimo)- the history and explanation of why it is derogatory, mention of sex life (tribal traditions). No swearing.

*I was given a free review copy of the audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review. Thank you for allowing me to listen and review the book!

Inacurate and poorly researched

Starting with his notes on Christopher McCandless I began thinking that O'Neill didn't know what he was talking about, but it kept getting worse. This book is based off some 6th grade level research.

Another excellent book of state trivia

This is another in an excellent series of audiobooks focused on trivia, particularly about individual states. This book focuses on Alaska, a state which I admittedly knew little about prior to this book.

Well, it turns out Alaska is a fascinating state! This collection of Alaska trivia is a light-hearted way to learn much more than I anticipated about Alaska, and a great way to pass the time in my commute. Recommended.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Interesting

I received a free copy of this audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

I rather enjoyed this fact book about Alaska, which I didn't know a lot about. This book covered a large array of topic from random laws to history to pop culture and sports and it was really interesting. I particularly liked the quizzes at the end of each chapter.

Food, fashion, fur, and more.

Another in the fascinating series of books presenting interesting facts and stories of the various states of America. This time it is Alaska, the 49th state, sometimes known as the Last Frontier, or the Land of the Midnight Sun, and big in every way from actual size (One fifth of the size of the USA) to earthquakes and volcanic activity. But there is gold there, too, most still unmined, and oil reserves.

Divided into six main chapters covering distinct areas from general history to hauntings and the supernatural, each section is followed by a short quiz to test the reader. Perfect for people who enjoy participation in trivia challenges of just enjoy acquiring obscure bits of information. The book is ably read by Derek Newman, with warmth in his voice and good intonation.

Unlike many travel guide type volumes, A Great Book of Alaska is never dull. My thanks to the rights holder who, at my request, freely gifted me a complimentary copy, via Audiobook Boom. It was an enjoyable as well as informative fun read about the oh-so-cold state where some believe that the Northern Lights are dancing spirits and that a child born under them will be granted a lucky life.