Under Northern Lights

From the beginning, artists and writers - and the rest of the world - have been awestruck by the complexity of Alaska's natural environment. In "Under Northern Lights", they celebrate its grandiose extremes and minute subtleties. Sixteen recent essays are juxtaposed with works of visual art, venturing far beyond picturesque views of Mt. McKinley and tales featuring bears of uncommon size to present a fresh and candid view of human interaction with geography. Ever-present reminders of the supremacy of the seasons - piercing wind, ice in myriad forms, springtime slush - permeate the writings and artworks. Contrasts abound: the isolation of solitary forays into the wilderness, the intimacy of snowbound interludes with friends; the natural mosaic of communication systems built around river travel, modern adventures made possible by float plane. Some essays present personal and interior journeys; others are objective naturalistic accounts. All convey a deep familiarity with and respect for the northern landscape.