4.38/5
Author: Norma Cobb, Charles W. Sasser
Publication Date: Feb 24, 2003
Formats: PDF,Paperback,Kindle,Hardcover,Audible Audiobook
Rating: 4.38/5 out of 844
Publisher: A Thomas Dunne Book for St. Martin's Griffin
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In 1973, Norma Cobb, her husband Lester, and the their five
children, the oldest of whom was nine-years-old and the youngest, twins,
barely one, pulled up stakes in the Lower Forty-eight and headed north
to Alaska to follow a pioneer dream of claiming land under the Homestead
Act. The only land available lay north of Fairbanks near the Arctic
Circle where grizzlies outnumbered humans twenty to one. In addition to
fierce winters and predatory animals, the Alaskan frontier drew the more
unsavory elements of society's fringes. From the beginning, the Cobbs
found themselves pitted in a life or death feud with unscrupulous
neighbors who would rob from new settlers, attempt to burn them out,
shoot them, and jump their claim.
The Cobbs were chechakos,
tenderfeet, in a lost land that consumed even toughened settlers.
Everything, including their "civilized" past, conspired to defeat them.
They constructed a cabin and the first snow collapsed the roof. They
built too close to the creek and spring breakup threatened to flood them
out. Bears prowled the nearby woods, stalking the children, and Lester
Cobb would leave for months at a time in search of work.
But
through it all, they survived on the strength of Norma Cobb---a woman
whose love for her family knew no bounds and whose courage in the face
of mortal danger is an inspiration to us all. Arctic Homestead is
her story.
Mar 18, 2012
Posted this review on my blog, but had to toss it up here as well, because I am baffled at the good reviews this beast received. From the blog...Sep 08, 2015
Started this to “get the facts†about homesteading in Alaska, not expecting to be drawn in. But Norma Cobb’s voice, which her co-author was smart enough to amplify, did just that. She was the last person to file under the Homestead Act, before availability ended in 1974. She was twenty nine, divorced, with three sons, and going nowhere in Wichita when she married Lester Cobb, seven years younger, divorced, and with twin daughters, headed to the same destination. The idea to homestead, originally Started this to “get the facts†about homesteading in Alaska, not expecting to be drawn in. But Norma Cobb’s voice, which her co-author was smart enough to amplify, did just that. She was the last person to file under the Homestead Act, before availability ended in 1974. She was twenty nine, divorced, with three sons, and going nowhere in Wichita when she married Lester Cobb, seven years younger, divorced, and with twin daughters, headed to the same destination. The idea to homestead, originally in Canada, was hers. But it’s safe to say, Lester became the driving force.Mar 07, 2017
I was very eager and excited to start reading because this book contained two of my most favourite subjects to read about: homesteading experiences and living in Alaska. However, within the first two chapters, I was shocked by the impulsiveness and thoughtlessness of the Cobbs, the parents of course. Their homesteading decision came about from Norma Cobb’s dream, which she claimed to be God’s guidance throughout the book. I was not so much bothered by her unwaveringly blind faith in God, which I I was very eager and excited to start reading because this book contained two of my most favourite subjects to read about: homesteading experiences and living in Alaska. However, within the first two chapters, I was shocked by the impulsiveness and thoughtlessness of the Cobbs, the parents of course. Their homesteading decision came about from Norma Cobb’s dream, which she claimed to be God’s guidance throughout the book. I was not so much bothered by her unwaveringly blind faith in God, which I believe people need living in the backcountry, but more disturbed by just how irresponsible the parents were to venture into a completely strange territory with five young children on a whim. With very little time to prepare themeselves, to do all the necessary research (which led to a huge misinformation about their eligibility to homestead in Canada), and to raise sufficient funds, they set out to chase a pipe dream of self-sufficiency. They were both naive and ignorant. Their stubbornness (and stupidity) costed them financially and psychologically damaged their children. It almost costed their lives and the lives of their children at multiple incidences as well.Mar 18, 2012
Incredibly interesting story. I'm having my technology loving teens read it.May 31, 2016
Great story that balances the romantic notion of Alaskan homesteading with the trials and hardships that it takes to make it happen. Easy, entertaining read.May 24, 2014
Arctic Homestead is one of those modern-day pioneer memoirs written by back-to-the-landers. In this case, Norma Cobb writes about her 1972 trek to the Alaskan wilderness with her husband and FIVE young children. Like other reviewers, I found the Cobbs to be completely ignorant. They were on their way to Canada with all their kids when someone mentioned that they weren't allowed to homestead there. Really? They wouldn't have checked beforehand? So they headed to Alaska instead, where they Arctic Homestead is one of those modern-day pioneer memoirs written by back-to-the-landers. In this case, Norma Cobb writes about her 1972 trek to the Alaskan wilderness with her husband and FIVE young children. Like other reviewers, I found the Cobbs to be completely ignorant. They were on their way to Canada with all their kids when someone mentioned that they weren't allowed to homestead there. Really? They wouldn't have checked beforehand? So they headed to Alaska instead, where they endangered their children's lives in so many ways I lost count, including accidentally shooting the seven-year-old while still en route. Having said all that, the book is hugely entertaining because you can't wait to find out what on earth is going to happen next -- blizzards and bear attacks are the two main threats, but let's not forget about the Sasquatch (yes, that's right) that hangs around their camp, threatening to steal their children when their backs are turned. Good grief. ...moreOct 20, 2011
This could have been a fantastic story but was ruined for me by four things. One, the constant and pervasive references to religion. I'm a scientist and the frequent references to auroras and other natural phenomena as being "god's paintbrush" are just annoying.Jan 01, 2013
Like some other reviewers, I too had some difficulty rating this read. I loved how Norma followed the dream of her and her husband, Lester Cobb against all odds and never gave up while going through a multitude of difficulties and near deaths of some of their family. I do find it almost unbelievable that so many unlucky things could happen to one family, however, it IS set in an untamed Alaskan territory. It makes me wonder, though, if folks who are really as cut of from society as they were Like some other reviewers, I too had some difficulty rating this read. I loved how Norma followed the dream of her and her husband, Lester Cobb against all odds and never gave up while going through a multitude of difficulties and near deaths of some of their family. I do find it almost unbelievable that so many unlucky things could happen to one family, however, it IS set in an untamed Alaskan territory. It makes me wonder, though, if folks who are really as cut of from society as they were really became so REDRUM (as portrayed by Jack Nicholson in the famous terrorizing flick... I use that scenario in regards to the guy who they hired to help out in return for a cabin in which to live). I did learn alot I admit about bears, the determination and fight it would take to survive in this forsaken but beautuful little valley and the endless and tiring labor it would take on a daily basis in weather that I most probably wouldn't survive. I was very interested in the stories of the very large hairy man-like creature...Bigfoot? Who knows? All in all I would recommend it as a read once for the experience. I probably wouldn't read it again. ...moreJun 20, 2012
This book reminds me of books of the Krakauer genre. Adventures into the wild by brave or foolhardy people which is finally determined by whether you are succesful or not. The first thing that attracted me to the story was that it was told by a woman which is unusual for outdoor, non-fiction risk-taking and adventure type books. The view of a woman surrounded by grizzlies, forty foot snowbanks, fifty below temperatures, floods, guns of every type makes the story more interesting particularly This book reminds me of books of the Krakauer genre. Adventures into the wild by brave or foolhardy people which is finally determined by whether you are succesful or not. The first thing that attracted me to the story was that it was told by a woman which is unusual for outdoor, non-fiction risk-taking and adventure type books. The view of a woman surrounded by grizzlies, forty foot snowbanks, fifty below temperatures, floods, guns of every type makes the story more interesting particularly when it interupts knitting, cooking or skinning a moose. The two most popular reviews on this site chastise the author for among other things exageration of the truth or about her abundant faith. These may be issues for some in the book, however, the basis of the book is a story of brave, determined, focused, pioneers homesteading in the most remote parts of Alaska and arriving there with five kids and not enough money for gas. There are times she gets political, or evangelistic or even surreal, but I always felt that when you write the book, you get to chose. I was captivated by this family's determination to make a new life for themselves and how they handled the many roadblocks along the way. ...moreJan 10, 2012
The first part of this book I loved it. I was into Ms. Cobb's story and enjoyed reading about the issues that faced the family as they journeyed to settle in the wilds of Alaska. As her story unfolded I began to wonder about the truth behind her tale.Feb 21, 2018
Interesting story of homesteading, but whew Norma and Lester sound like a piece of work.Mar 28, 2019
This is an amazingly adventurous story of a family’s journey to the Alaskan bush! Watch out, it might make you want to move to Alaska!Feb 09, 2018
Great StorySep 11, 2019
Wonderful and so enjoyableSep 27, 2017
Interesting account of Norma's homesteading with her husband. Fun read.Nov 07, 2017
God Bless the Cobb FamilyMay 13, 2017
If you enjoy stories about homesteading in Alaska this is the book for you. Both Norma & Les must have had steel for a backbone because they survived everything that the wilderness and weather threw at them.Dec 20, 2018
The first 3/4 of the book would have received a 5 Star from me. I loved Norma and her adventurous spunk and any time I can read about Alaska I love it. However, she became very sanctimonious in the last 1/4 of the book and I was so annoyed I struggled to finish reading it.Jul 12, 2019
What a story! The last woman to file a homestead claim in Alaska, her husband and five small children decide to pull up stakes from Colorado and get back to nature in Alaska. They have no money, no resources, very few assets, and it takes them more than a year just to get to their claim, which proves to be a great disappointment. Then they discover their real destiny in a beautiful, remote valley. Along the way, there are run-ins with drunken locals, a gunfight standoff in the street like an old What a story! The last woman to file a homestead claim in Alaska, her husband and five small children decide to pull up stakes from Colorado and get back to nature in Alaska. They have no money, no resources, very few assets, and it takes them more than a year just to get to their claim, which proves to be a great disappointment. Then they discover their real destiny in a beautiful, remote valley. Along the way, there are run-ins with drunken locals, a gunfight standoff in the street like an old Western movie, face-offs against black bears, grizzlies, and even Bigfoot! The writing style is very entertaining, with descriptive language and great humor. ...moreJul 24, 2017
Awesome book. I would recommend this book to anyone that has a desire to learn about Alaska homesteading. I was sad for the book to come to an end. Would like to know more of the family today.Dec 28, 2017
Very entertaining read!Aug 04, 2017
I read this for bookclub, and ended conflicted. A story about homesteading in Alaska in the 70s is fascinating, but how true? She says she lied and deceived to get the homestead land, which questions her truthfulness & integrity. Then is her repeated foolish choices that not only put their lives at risk but cause the children great suffering. And her husband? He rides rough shod right over all of them. Sure, leave a child in a vehicle with a loaded gun so he can get shot. These two were I read this for bookclub, and ended conflicted. A story about homesteading in Alaska in the 70s is fascinating, but how true? She says she lied and deceived to get the homestead land, which questions her truthfulness & integrity. Then is her repeated foolish choices that not only put their lives at risk but cause the children great suffering. And her husband? He rides rough shod right over all of them. Sure, leave a child in a vehicle with a loaded gun so he can get shot. These two were quite the pair. ...moreJun 22, 2018
I read this book years ago as we transported our son up to Wasilla Alaska to play junior hockey. This book was in a local bookstore there and our entire family has read it. This memoir painted a complete picture of some of the people who made the trek to Alaska to take advantage of the Homestead Act. My own cousin made the same journey decades ago and still resides on his homestead. So we all were engaged through the whole book to see how this family tackled each of it’s next hurdles. I’ve I read this book years ago as we transported our son up to Wasilla Alaska to play junior hockey. This book was in a local bookstore there and our entire family has read it. This memoir painted a complete picture of some of the people who made the trek to Alaska to take advantage of the Homestead Act. My own cousin made the same journey decades ago and still resides on his homestead. So we all were engaged through the whole book to see how this family tackled each of it’s next hurdles. I’ve passed this book on to other relatives and each one has enjoyed it. And since I’m attracted to historical fiction and memoirs anyway this was a great choice. ...moreNov 20, 2019
I love stories that deal with survival and people overcoming difficulties and struggle. I also love stories of pioneer life and wilderness living. After I finished The Snow Child I wasn't ready to 'leave' Alaska. This seemed like a great adventure story and it absolutely was. I don't think that the writing is very polished and sometimes I got very tired of her 'attitude' or opinions spouting off that came through on a few different topics. But I just ignored that because ...the story. Oh my I love stories that deal with survival and people overcoming difficulties and struggle. I also love stories of pioneer life and wilderness living. After I finished The Snow Child I wasn't ready to 'leave' Alaska. This seemed like a great adventure story and it absolutely was. I don't think that the writing is very polished and sometimes I got very tired of her 'attitude' or opinions spouting off that came through on a few different topics. But I just ignored that because ...the story. Oh my goodness, how they survived and what they endured was really a gripping read. I laughed out loud and I cried. And I got my husband to read it too, so we could share this 'adventure' together in our warm and cozy home, clear of any bears. I would recommend this book if you enjoy real life adventure stories full of imperfect people making their own way. ...moreTake your time and choose the perfect book.
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