It's time again for the Iditarod. A big concern this year is the condition of the trail due to lack of snow. Sure enough! A recent check at the Iditarod site tells me the start of the actual race as been moved to Fairbanks. (The ceremonial start remains in Anchorage).

I will start with the oddest book in my collection: Wrestling the Iditarod, by Paul Ellering. Mr. Ellering is a pro-wrestler, neither a sport I like, nor someone I'd see as wanting to run the Iditarod. That being said, here it is! It's part diary, part journal, part memoir and a rather good story all 'round. The author was able to sway my (somewhat biased, but unfounded) image of him by his relationship with his dogs.

Based on a true story, and told by the dogs, Where's the Boss?: a Dog Team Alone on Alaska's Iditarod Trail, by Lois Harter and illustrated by David Totten is a tale that could have had a tragic ending, but because of these amazing dogs, did not.

Many of the dogs on the racing teams are Alaskan Huskies ... basically a mix of breeds as drivers strive for the best combination of temperament, stamina, and athleticism. (Sometimes, as you will read, this leads to amusing incidents). Check out some of these teams in Dogs of the Iditarod, by Jeff Schultz.

Iditarod Classics: Tales of the Trail Told by the Men and Women Who Race Across Alaska, by Lew Freedman with illustrations by Jon Van Zyle is a wonderful collection of true stories from the folks who have 'been there' and 'done that.' Be sure to read the short biographies of each of the contributors, they are as good as the tales they tell.

Every year there is a new poster celebrating the Iditarod and for decades that poster has come from Jon Van Zyle (he's the official artist for the Great Race). His artwork is amazing! The book on my shelf is Jon Van Zyle's Iditarod Memories: 30 Years of Posters From the Last Great Race with stories about each one by his wife, Jona, but there are earlier editions, covering fewer races, of course, available, too. His work may be seen in The Great Serum Race from the February 8, 2014 post as well.

Reading Hermit With Dog