A Place Beyond by Nick Jans

A Place Beyond by Nick Jans

Nick Jans leads us into his found home --- the Eskimo village of Ambler, Alaska, and the vast wilderness around it. In his powerful essays, the rhythms of daily arctic life blend with high adventure --- camping among the wolves, traveling with Inupiat hunters, witnessing the Kobuk River at spring breakup.

The poignancy of a village funeral comes to life, hordes of mosquitoes whine against a tent, a grizzly stands etched against the snow --- just a sampling of the images and events rendered in Jan's transparent, visual prose. Moments of humor ar offset by haunting insights, and by thoughtful reflections on contemporary Inupiaq culture, making A Place Beyond a book to read and enjoy.

Nick Jans is a well-known and prolific writer from Alaska. He's written many books, including A Place Beyond, and hundreds of magazine articles, as well as contributing to many anthologies. He's also a contributing editor to Alaska Magazine and a member of USA Today's board of editorial contributors. Poetry, short fiction, literary essays, natural history, outdoor adventure, fishing, and political commentary are among his many genres. Several writing honors have been bestowed upon him, including a Rasmuson Foundation artist grant. He and his wife, Sherrie, currently reside in Juneau and travel extensively around Alaska. He returns to Ambler, the arctic Inupiaq Inuit village where he lived for 20 years and still calls home, every year.