Skip to main content
PBS logo
 
 

Book Reviews of Winterdance: The Fine Madness of Running the Iditarod

Winterdance: The Fine Madness of Running the Iditarod
Winterdance The Fine Madness of Running the Iditarod
Author: Gary Paulsen
ISBN-13: 9780151262274
ISBN-10: 0151262276
Publication Date: 3/1/1994
Pages: 272
Rating:
  • Currently 4.7/5 Stars.
 11

4.7 stars, based on 11 ratings
Publisher: Harcourt
Book Type: Hardcover
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

13 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

reviewed Winterdance: The Fine Madness of Running the Iditarod on + 115 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 6
I usually read fiction. My book club chose this book and I would say that it is one of the very best non-fiction books I have ever read! I was laughing one minute and biting my nails the next minute! Highly recommended!
reviewed Winterdance: The Fine Madness of Running the Iditarod on + 3 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
I usually read fiction, but this book may have changed my mind. I teach adult education and this book has become part of my class library, and is always being used. I know who has it by the laughter. The skunks are soooooo funny. The book really does go over the ups and downs of sled dog raising, and racing. This is the kind of book you can't put down. It is written at a 5th grade reading level, but the content is for everyone.
reviewed Winterdance: The Fine Madness of Running the Iditarod on + 11 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
This was an exciting book as well as a informative book. I presently own a Syberian husky and 3 german shepherds and felt the novel brought me a little closer to my dogs.
reviewed Winterdance: The Fine Madness of Running the Iditarod on + 191 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
this was such a good book. So well written and at times very funny. No one writes better than Gary Paulson. I have read many of his books and they are all excellent. He had many adventures running the Iditerod and of course being his first time he made lots of mistakes. I would recommend this book to anyone
reviewed Winterdance: The Fine Madness of Running the Iditarod on + 15 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
I loved this book. More than once I was laughing out loud. It was funny and informative. I went on a cruise to Alaska and wanted to learn more about the Iditarod. This book was so good I could not put it down and finished it in one day.
Readnmachine avatar reviewed Winterdance: The Fine Madness of Running the Iditarod on + 1474 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
There are some laugh-out-loud moments in this quixotic tale of an intrepid amateur attempting to run the Iditarod and nearly being killed by his own ignorant enthusiasm, but overall Paulsen tries very hard to explain the magic of it all. In the end, you either accept what he says or you don't. I'm not sure I do.
reviewed Winterdance: The Fine Madness of Running the Iditarod on + 3 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
There is a little bit of everything in this book. I assumed there would be good information on the running of the race, but the biggest surprise was the flat out hysterical humor. I was reading this at the hairdresser's while waiting on a haircut, and I was laughing so hard that I had tears running down my face. I was afraid they'd ask me to leave. I might chuckle now and then, but I seldom laugh out loud with a book. I have passed on copies to other family members to read because I felt they would find this book a jack of all trades. Funny, tense, informative, and just an all around good read.
reviewed Winterdance: The Fine Madness of Running the Iditarod on + 10 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I love Gary Paulsen fiction books, but this is the first of his nonfiction works I've read. I hope to be able to read his others.
reviewed Winterdance: The Fine Madness of Running the Iditarod on
Helpful Score: 1
Great book that made me feel as thought I was right there on the sled. There were moments of comedy and some sad passages as well. Recommended reading!
reviewed Winterdance: The Fine Madness of Running the Iditarod on
Helpful Score: 1
One of my favorite books! It is one I've read before, and given as gifts over and over again. The copy that was sent to me was in great condition, and I look forward to reading my old friend again!
SouthWestZippy avatar reviewed Winterdance: The Fine Madness of Running the Iditarod on + 265 more book reviews
Taken from the inside cover of the book. "Winterdance is an unforgettable account of Gary Paulsen's most ambitious guest: to know a world beyond his knowing, to train for and run the Iditarod."
Gary Paulsen goes into the race with no real clue on what is going to happen to him and his dogs during the 1,180 mile race across the Alaska. Paulsen gives a very straight forward account of the ordeals he encounters. Some of things he witness from other races and non races are disgusting, heartbreaking and humorous. None of the his description are over the top but are very real look into life while pushing your body and soul thought his unforgiving terrain. I highly recommend this book if you like reading about others adventures and life learning lessons.
reviewed Winterdance: The Fine Madness of Running the Iditarod on + 257 more book reviews
The story that inspired the movie Snow Dogs
reviewed Winterdance: The Fine Madness of Running the Iditarod on + 47 more book reviews
Amazon.com
Fueled by a passion for running dogs, Gary Paulsen entered the Iditarod--the 1150-mile winter sled-dog race between Anchorage and Nome-- in dangerous ignorance and with a fierce determination. Winterdance is his account of this seventeen-day battle against Nature's worst elements and his own frailty.

From Publishers Weekly
Acclaimed children's book author Paulsen offers a gripping account of his experience running the 1180 mile Iditarod dogsled race.