300-word description
 
This bilingual book details the lives of Yup'ik people--the Akulmiut--living in the lake country west of Bethel, Alaska, in the villages of Kasigluk, Nunapitchuk, and Atmautluak. For centuries, Akulmiut have been sustained by the annual movements of whitefish. If there is one food that defines them, it is whitefish.
Although people use the term "whitefish" when speaking in English, there is no direct translation in the Yup'ik language. Instead Yup'ik people use more than a dozen words to talk about the different species, ages, and sizes of "whitefish" in their region.
To this day, many Akulmiut view not only their actions in the world, but their interactions with each other, as having a direct and profound effect on these fish. Not only are fish viewed as responding to human action and intention in many contexts, but the lakes and rivers fish inhabit are likewise viewed as sentient beings with the ability to respond both positively and negatively to those who travel there.
Change is profound in southwest Alaska, but the conversations recorded here--in both Yup'ik and English--are testament to the fact that a uniquely Yup'ik view of the world remains. While many predicted that globalization would sound the death knoll for distinctive traditions, instead indigenous people all over the planet have sought to appropriate the world in their own terms. For all their new connectedness, the continued relevance of traditional admonitions, many feel, cannot be denied.
Elders today suffer over the fact that many contemporary youth do not know their history. They meet this ignorance by actively sharing their view of the world. As the late Johnny Berlin said, "When they read what we've said, they will learn more about us."
 
100-word description
 
This book details the relationship between Yup'ik people--the Akulmiut--living in the lake country west of Bethel, Alaska, and the whitefish which for centuries have sustained them.
To this day, many Akulmiut view not only their actions in the world, but their interactions with each other, as having a profound effect on these fish. Not only are fish viewed as responding to human action and intention, but the lakes and rivers fish inhabit are likewise viewed as sentient beings with the ability to respond both positively and negatively to those who travel there. Although much has changed in southwest Alaska over the years, a distinctly Yup'ik view of the world cannot be denied.
 
one sentence
 
This bilingual book details the relationship between Yup'ik people--the Akulmiut--living in the lake country west of Bethel, Alaska, and the whitefish which for centuries have sustained them.
 

200- to 300-word description:
This life history book provides insight into how David R. Klein combined his life-long love of the outdoors with training in ecology and what has inspired and motivated him throughout his career in wildlife conservation and management in Alaska. The focus is not on his scientific findings per se, but to tell the stories of how this science was done, to show the inspiration behind the research, and to expose the thinking underlying particular scientific theories. In this first-hand account of how science and biological fieldwork has been carried out in Alaska in the last sixty years, Dave discusses his role as the leader of the Alaska Cooperative Wildlife Unit and his research on animal/habitat relationships of Arctic ungulate species (caribou, muskoxen, and reindeer) and their behavior and adaptations to this extreme environment, and highlights work with graduate students, many of whom went on to become successful wildlife managers in Alaska and around the globe. In addition, this book shows the evolution of Alaska’s wildlife management regimes from territorial days to statehood to the era of big oil. The hope is that Dave’s outlook, philosophy, and approach toward sustainability, wildlife management, and conserving our natural world will inspire the next generation to ensure the survival of our fragile planet in an ever-changing global society. The first portion of the book is comprised of stories from Dave’s life collected during oral history interviews, while the latter section contains essays written by Dave about philosophical topics of importance to him, such as eco-philosophy, the definition of wilderness, and the morality of hunting.
 
100-word description:
This is an innovative and collaborative life history book about one of Alaska's pioneering wildlife biologists. This book is a valuable contribution to our understanding of Alask history and the story of the birth and evolution of Alaska’s wildlife studies programs and wildlife management regimes. This first-hand description of the early days of scientific exploration in Alaska highlights a behind-the-scenes view of how science is done and will inspire younger scientists and conservation activists.
 
 
One sentence description:
This is an innovative and collaborative life history book about one of Alaska's pioneering wildlife biologists and provides a behind-the-scenes view of how science is done.