Red Summer: The Danger And Madness Of Commercial Salmon Fishing In Alaska

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Painting a visceral portrait of the life of commercial fishermen in the remote Eskimo village of Egekik, Alaska, this intense memoir depicts the author's four summers spent with a crew of seasonal salmon netters. Distinguishing itself from a typical adventure, this recollection relates the unforgiving supervision of the experienced female crew-chief, who along with her rugged shipmates lives by the credo: do the work or leave. From an encounter with an overly-inquisitive grizzly bear and being swamped by a mother-ship in open waters to the customary run-ins with colorful locals, this record is certain to appeal to adventurers, nature lovers, and armchair travelers alike. In the tradition of Jon Krakauer, Peter Matthiessen, and Sebastien Junger, this is an honest and vivid story of what it means to leave so-called civilization behind for a life full of danger, excitement, untold beauty, and physically grueling work.

Paperback: 240 pages

Publisher: Schaffner Press, Inc.; Reissue edition (June 1, 2010)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 098243328X

ISBN-13: 978-0982433287

Product Dimensions: 5 x 1 x 8 inches

Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)

Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)

Best Sellers Rank: #847,799 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #161 in Books > Science & Math > Nature & Ecology > Natural Resources > Fisheries & Aquaculture #402 in Books > Science & Math > Biological Sciences > Animals > Fish & Sharks #1220 in Books > Science & Math > Nature & Ecology > Oceans & Seas

The story line in Red Summer is commercial salmon fishing in a remote village in Alaska, but what made the story come to life for me is the cast of characters. Carter draws these very real humans, living what for most of us seems an improbable life, with affectionate honesty. As the narrative moves along, you learn to like these people, for all their flaws, and by the end, you care about them and wish you had had Carter's experience living and working among them. As with Carter's "Fools Rush In", the writing never slows, it just keeps zipping along, and wish that the book never had to come to an end. We'll just have to wait for Carter's next book.

Just finished this book. I found it to be a interesting narrative of an outsiders view of the alaskan fishing industry. I have friends who have worked up there in the past and i was always been intrigued with what it must be like. The author does a good job of explaining the work and the living conditions. If you looking for a light, easy read, this was an good book.

As a female and non-fisherman it took me awhile to open Bill Carter's brilliant book, Red Summer. I thought, "a book on fishing, really?". I was so wrong. Mr. Carter is such a brilliant writer he could write about anything and make it beautiful, like commercial salmon fishing in Alaska! He writes about man's foibles but somehow still finds the beauty in all things. That's the poet in him. Without being didactic, he makes you realize how fragile and important all creatures are, especially in Alaska, one of the few wild frontiers left. After reading his book, I have such an appreciation for commerical fisherman, the beauty and importance of salmon in the eco-structure of things, the fragility of the planet and how we can't let greed destroy our planet more than it already has, and I will never, ever eat farmed salmon again!

This was a humorous and actual view of the fishing village Egegik. It makes is real as the author actually lived the experience and witnessed it first hand. I Love Egegik.

Bill Carter is one of the great unsung heroes in a history of warriors leading the fight to bring awareness to the world's humanitarian and environmental ticking time bombs. Bill has devoted his life to being a creative and articulate stand for the madness of human experience when faced with the inconvenient truths that pit personal existence against the forces of global ignorance, corporate greed, and social paranoia. His writing has the kind of hooks that get in you quick and deep, the kind of truth you can't put down and walk away from easily. His voice and pace pull you in slowly with some great knowing, that this is it, this is real, this is happening, just as sure as the season's turn. I am grateful for a writer that has the will to step into experiences and realities so fully and to express them in such a captivating way that speaks from the heart of real experience. I highly recommend reading both of his currently published books..!!

I picked up Bill Carter's book, along with many others about commercial fishing in Bristol Bay, before heading out for my first season. "Red Summer" was my clear favorite. It captured the disconnected feel you get in the Bay and the almost imperceptible line between safely finishing out an opener and life threatening catastrophy. The cast of characters are all big, eccentric personalities and like true Alaskans, the stories match the people. Beyond authentically capturing the fishing lifestyle and small-town Alaska social quirks, it is a well written and structured book. Very much worth a read.

I really liked this one. A realistic portrait of the people without whitewashing. It is both well written and entertaining. Highly recommended.

great book

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