"The Cruellest Miles"
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Ted/Edwin/Eadwine/Herendil
Apr 9, 2008, 9:32:56 PM4/9/08
to Tol Harndor
The Cruellest Miles - a Quest
"The Cruellest Miles"
By Gay Salisbury and Laney Salisbury
Published in Great Britain by Bloomsbury
What is a Quest? The implication of the word is one of finding or
recovering, yet in LotR it was clearly a matter of destroying -
destroying the artefact lest it destroy the world as we know it.
Selected, by chance or ordination, to carry out that perilous task was
not a Man, at least not a man as we generally understand the term, but
a close relative of Man, smaller and apparently less in strength and
stamina - a Hobbit. Gandalf uttered the prophetic "help comes from the
weak when the Wise falter" - so it was that Frodo and Sam achieved the
Quest and saved the Free Peoples.
But let's not fool ourselves to believe that the whole action was not
carefully stage managed by J. R. R. Tolkien. Moreover it was a fantasy
quest, in which Magic had its place, and was never meant to represent
real life. There were of course some casualties in the War of the
Ring, but none among the major characters, unless you count Boromir
and Gollum, and these two were earmarked for death by their positions
regarding the Quest. I think it's reasonable to accept the story as a
fiction but don't try to believe that it could happen in reality.
"The Cruellest Miles" was reality, but I'm going to argue the case for
its having many similarities to LotR and other Quest stories. Unlike
fantasy, reality is not squeaky clean. It has its heroes and its
villains but their heroism and villainy is typically rather blurred
and each mixed with some of its opposite. In "The Cruellest Miles",
the Dark Lord is Nature, or rather Nature in all its most fearful and
dangerous aspects, in the Alaskan winter. The time is January 1925.
The place is Nome - a town of about 2,500 situated on the Bering Sea
just two degrees south of the Arctic Circle. But the Dark Lord has
weapons of even greater power and inspiration of fear than the cold
the dark and the terrible winds. And in this January he struck with
force upon the children of Nome. Diphtheria!
Diphtheria had in past times decimated populations, slaying people,
especially children, without mercy. In 1925, an effective serum had
been developed and in much of the world the terrible disease had been
beaten. But this was Nome, and this was winter, and the supply of
serum was very nearly exhausted when the epidemic broke out. In
winter, because of the sea ice and extreme conditions on land, all
physical connections with Nome were broken - save one. The only way to
get fresh supplies of serum to Nome lay in the trails that ran between
Nome and the railhead at Nenana, a distance of over 600 miles, and the
only means of negotiating those trails was by means of dog sleds.
Gandalf, with foresight and insight, perceived the importance of
Hobbits in the defeat of the Dark Lord. However it didn't require
Gandalf's powers to realise that the salvation of Nome, if possible at
all, was in their sled dogs. This story is one of dogs - the authors
called it the "greatest dog story ever told" and I'm very inclined to
believe them. It is also the story of the men that worked with them -
the sled drivers or "mushers" - and they were Real Men! Just as
Gandalf exhorted the armies of Gondor and Rohan to work towards "clean
earth to till" for succeeding generations, so the dogs and their
handlers worked to save the children of Nome, for many reasons
including the town's future. But they didn't need a wizard to
encourage them - they had a grim determination to get it done or die
trying.
It is perhaps stretching the analogy to imply a relationship between
mushers and dogs similar to that between the men and the hobbits in
LotR, yet there is some parallel there. Dogs did as they had been
taught. Just what forces ultimately drove them might be conjectured,
but the main one appeared to be their love for, and unflagging
devotion to, the men that they worked for. They also were bred for,
and apparently loved, the work. Frodo's relation to Gandalf and Sam's
to Frodo were rather like the dogs' relationship with the musher -
both had a limited understanding of the task they were undertaking but
their utter faith in the person who gave them the task was the main
motivation.
Moreover, Gandalf didn't lay out a clear path for Frodo - Frodo had to
make decisions along the way and some of these were difficult. The
sled dogs, especially the leaders, had to make similar decisions as
they and they alone knew what was happening on the trail in front of
the sled, and this was especially true in whiteout conditions which
were sometimes encountered. Other more difficult and dangerous
decisions were also required and the best of the dogs - Togo and Balto
to name the two most prominent - made the right ones. The mushers
acknowledged the overwhelming importance of the dogs for far more than
just motive power; indeed they gave them the credit for the success of
the "Great Race of Mercy" as it was called.
The official name of the operation which successfully delivered the
precious serum to Nome was the "1925 Serum Run to Nome", and it has
been remembered in many ways since, the best known being the Iditarod
Sled Dog Race, which is run in March of every year between Anchorage
and Nome, a distance of just over 1000 miles. This race also holds in
memory the Iditarod Trail and its importance in mail and other
deliveries in the early days of colonising Alaska, where "in winter
the weather forecast reads like science fiction" (source of quote
unknown). There is little doubt that the Iditarod, which was started
in 1973, is the toughest sporting event on the planet (note that it
has been won four times by women - three times by one who, sadly,
later died of leukemia).
There are many tales in the book of what seem to be remarkable powers
of reason exhibited by the sled dogs and clearly the mushers owe them
their lives many times over in a career of sled driving. This of
course makes for a very strong bond between man and animal. It might
therefore be wondered whether any dogs died in the serum run. At least
five as reported in the book, and quite possibly more. It must be
said, however, that the mushers were also pushing themselves to the
limit of their physical endurance and were taking no greater thought
for their own lives than those of the dogs, except perhaps to consider
that the dogs were probably not aware of the importance of getting the
sled and its contents to the next destination. The musher took
responsibility for delivery of the serum and was therefore obliged to
put the dogs' welfare just below their own.
The serum run was a relay, since no one musher and team could hope to
complete the run as fast as a series of mushers and teams could. There
are many brief descriptions of the run on internet sites, and many of
these mention names - white men and members of the native tribe that
inhabited the inhospitable interior of Alaska. Foremost among them is
Leonhard Seppala, and his lead dog Togo. Second might perhaps be the
first runner, "Wild Bill" Shannon. The final runner, Gunnar Kaasen,
and especially his lead dog Balto, were given the most praise and
attention, arguably because they brought the serum into Nome. Details
of this misplaced accolade are in the book and are mentioned on some
web sites. The statue of Balto in New York's Central Park is arguably
of the wrong dog - it should have been Togo. However, the 1995
Spielberg animated movie might add up to a bit of revenge from those
who thought that Seppala and Togo were hardly done by. I haven't seen
it but it sounds awful and nothing like the truth.
But the story is real life and as such it has its records of mistakes,
such as the one that a musher might make (and indeed did make) that
cost two dogs their lives. Did Aragorn ever make a mistake that
resulted in the needless death of an innocent warrior or citizen? If
so you won't ever read about it in the official chronicle. By
contrast, the whole business of the serum run was not well managed,
and it was only successful because of the utter selfless devotion to
the cause by the mushers and the dogs. But a quest fulfilled is a
quest fulfilled, and honouring the dead stands beside rewarding the
living as a natural consequence of its fulfilment.
Therefore I ask you to be aware of this piece of heroism in the real
world and to remember it when considering fantasy heroes. I also
exhort you to read the book (which btw was first published just five
years ago).
(the American edition, btw, is called "The Cruelest Miles")
"The Cruellest Miles"
By Gay Salisbury and Laney Salisbury
Published in Great Britain by Bloomsbury
What is a Quest? The implication of the word is one of finding or
recovering, yet in LotR it was clearly a matter of destroying -
destroying the artefact lest it destroy the world as we know it.
Selected, by chance or ordination, to carry out that perilous task was
not a Man, at least not a man as we generally understand the term, but
a close relative of Man, smaller and apparently less in strength and
stamina - a Hobbit. Gandalf uttered the prophetic "help comes from the
weak when the Wise falter" - so it was that Frodo and Sam achieved the
Quest and saved the Free Peoples.
But let's not fool ourselves to believe that the whole action was not
carefully stage managed by J. R. R. Tolkien. Moreover it was a fantasy
quest, in which Magic had its place, and was never meant to represent
real life. There were of course some casualties in the War of the
Ring, but none among the major characters, unless you count Boromir
and Gollum, and these two were earmarked for death by their positions
regarding the Quest. I think it's reasonable to accept the story as a
fiction but don't try to believe that it could happen in reality.
"The Cruellest Miles" was reality, but I'm going to argue the case for
its having many similarities to LotR and other Quest stories. Unlike
fantasy, reality is not squeaky clean. It has its heroes and its
villains but their heroism and villainy is typically rather blurred
and each mixed with some of its opposite. In "The Cruellest Miles",
the Dark Lord is Nature, or rather Nature in all its most fearful and
dangerous aspects, in the Alaskan winter. The time is January 1925.
The place is Nome - a town of about 2,500 situated on the Bering Sea
just two degrees south of the Arctic Circle. But the Dark Lord has
weapons of even greater power and inspiration of fear than the cold
the dark and the terrible winds. And in this January he struck with
force upon the children of Nome. Diphtheria!
Diphtheria had in past times decimated populations, slaying people,
especially children, without mercy. In 1925, an effective serum had
been developed and in much of the world the terrible disease had been
beaten. But this was Nome, and this was winter, and the supply of
serum was very nearly exhausted when the epidemic broke out. In
winter, because of the sea ice and extreme conditions on land, all
physical connections with Nome were broken - save one. The only way to
get fresh supplies of serum to Nome lay in the trails that ran between
Nome and the railhead at Nenana, a distance of over 600 miles, and the
only means of negotiating those trails was by means of dog sleds.
Gandalf, with foresight and insight, perceived the importance of
Hobbits in the defeat of the Dark Lord. However it didn't require
Gandalf's powers to realise that the salvation of Nome, if possible at
all, was in their sled dogs. This story is one of dogs - the authors
called it the "greatest dog story ever told" and I'm very inclined to
believe them. It is also the story of the men that worked with them -
the sled drivers or "mushers" - and they were Real Men! Just as
Gandalf exhorted the armies of Gondor and Rohan to work towards "clean
earth to till" for succeeding generations, so the dogs and their
handlers worked to save the children of Nome, for many reasons
including the town's future. But they didn't need a wizard to
encourage them - they had a grim determination to get it done or die
trying.
It is perhaps stretching the analogy to imply a relationship between
mushers and dogs similar to that between the men and the hobbits in
LotR, yet there is some parallel there. Dogs did as they had been
taught. Just what forces ultimately drove them might be conjectured,
but the main one appeared to be their love for, and unflagging
devotion to, the men that they worked for. They also were bred for,
and apparently loved, the work. Frodo's relation to Gandalf and Sam's
to Frodo were rather like the dogs' relationship with the musher -
both had a limited understanding of the task they were undertaking but
their utter faith in the person who gave them the task was the main
motivation.
Moreover, Gandalf didn't lay out a clear path for Frodo - Frodo had to
make decisions along the way and some of these were difficult. The
sled dogs, especially the leaders, had to make similar decisions as
they and they alone knew what was happening on the trail in front of
the sled, and this was especially true in whiteout conditions which
were sometimes encountered. Other more difficult and dangerous
decisions were also required and the best of the dogs - Togo and Balto
to name the two most prominent - made the right ones. The mushers
acknowledged the overwhelming importance of the dogs for far more than
just motive power; indeed they gave them the credit for the success of
the "Great Race of Mercy" as it was called.
The official name of the operation which successfully delivered the
precious serum to Nome was the "1925 Serum Run to Nome", and it has
been remembered in many ways since, the best known being the Iditarod
Sled Dog Race, which is run in March of every year between Anchorage
and Nome, a distance of just over 1000 miles. This race also holds in
memory the Iditarod Trail and its importance in mail and other
deliveries in the early days of colonising Alaska, where "in winter
the weather forecast reads like science fiction" (source of quote
unknown). There is little doubt that the Iditarod, which was started
in 1973, is the toughest sporting event on the planet (note that it
has been won four times by women - three times by one who, sadly,
later died of leukemia).
There are many tales in the book of what seem to be remarkable powers
of reason exhibited by the sled dogs and clearly the mushers owe them
their lives many times over in a career of sled driving. This of
course makes for a very strong bond between man and animal. It might
therefore be wondered whether any dogs died in the serum run. At least
five as reported in the book, and quite possibly more. It must be
said, however, that the mushers were also pushing themselves to the
limit of their physical endurance and were taking no greater thought
for their own lives than those of the dogs, except perhaps to consider
that the dogs were probably not aware of the importance of getting the
sled and its contents to the next destination. The musher took
responsibility for delivery of the serum and was therefore obliged to
put the dogs' welfare just below their own.
The serum run was a relay, since no one musher and team could hope to
complete the run as fast as a series of mushers and teams could. There
are many brief descriptions of the run on internet sites, and many of
these mention names - white men and members of the native tribe that
inhabited the inhospitable interior of Alaska. Foremost among them is
Leonhard Seppala, and his lead dog Togo. Second might perhaps be the
first runner, "Wild Bill" Shannon. The final runner, Gunnar Kaasen,
and especially his lead dog Balto, were given the most praise and
attention, arguably because they brought the serum into Nome. Details
of this misplaced accolade are in the book and are mentioned on some
web sites. The statue of Balto in New York's Central Park is arguably
of the wrong dog - it should have been Togo. However, the 1995
Spielberg animated movie might add up to a bit of revenge from those
who thought that Seppala and Togo were hardly done by. I haven't seen
it but it sounds awful and nothing like the truth.
But the story is real life and as such it has its records of mistakes,
such as the one that a musher might make (and indeed did make) that
cost two dogs their lives. Did Aragorn ever make a mistake that
resulted in the needless death of an innocent warrior or citizen? If
so you won't ever read about it in the official chronicle. By
contrast, the whole business of the serum run was not well managed,
and it was only successful because of the utter selfless devotion to
the cause by the mushers and the dogs. But a quest fulfilled is a
quest fulfilled, and honouring the dead stands beside rewarding the
living as a natural consequence of its fulfilment.
Therefore I ask you to be aware of this piece of heroism in the real
world and to remember it when considering fantasy heroes. I also
exhort you to read the book (which btw was first published just five
years ago).
(the American edition, btw, is called "The Cruelest Miles")
Marayong
Apr 10, 2008, 8:30:34 AM4/10/08
to tolha...@googlegroups.com
G'day Ted,
Would you like to expand this a bit so I could include it in the next
issue of the Tilkal?
cheers,
Ye Editor
Ted/Edwin/Eadwine/Herendil wrote:
> The Cruellest Miles - a Quest
>
> "The Cruellest Miles"
> By Gay Salisbury and Laney Salisbury
> Published in Great Britain by Bloomsbury
>
>
--
Australian Linedance website of the year: Tamworth 2005,2007,2008
http://roots-boots.net mailto:dra...@roots-boots.net
The greatest tragedy that could overcome a country would be for it
to fight a successful war in defence of liberty and to lose its
own liberty in the process" - Robert Menzies
Ted/Edwin/Eadwine/Herendil
Apr 10, 2008, 5:48:54 PM4/10/08
to Tol Harndor
Definitely, David. In fact I intended to make that offer, but I'll
need more time to think about it. The idea of a real life equivalent
to a fantasy Quest struck me as something that others seem to have
either missed or avoided. In some respects, real life can be stranger
than fantasy.
need more time to think about it. The idea of a real life equivalent
to a fantasy Quest struck me as something that others seem to have
either missed or avoided. In some respects, real life can be stranger
than fantasy.
Ted/Edwin/Eadwine/Herendil
Apr 10, 2008, 7:46:58 PM4/10/08
to Tol Harndor
http://members.optusnet.com.au/krenon/parting_beyond_world.html
I hope you can see the resemblance (between the parting of Elrond and
Arwen and the parting of Seppala and Togo).
On Apr 10, 11:32 am, "Ted/Edwin/Eadwine/Herendil"
I hope you can see the resemblance (between the parting of Elrond and
Arwen and the parting of Seppala and Togo).
On Apr 10, 11:32 am, "Ted/Edwin/Eadwine/Herendil"
Marayong
Apr 11, 2008, 10:41:27 PM4/11/08
to tolha...@googlegroups.com
G'day Ted,
> Definitely, David. In fact I intended to make that offer, but I'll
> need more time to think about it. The idea of a real life equivalent
> to a fantasy Quest struck me as something that others seem to have
> either missed or avoided. In some respects, real life can be stranger
> than fantasy.
No rush .. the last issue came out a few months ago so it'll likely be
at least a year until the next one. Just don't forget. *g*
IMO in many respects, real life is stranger than fantasy!!
cheers,
Ye Editore
Ted/Edwin/Eadwine/Herendil
Apr 12, 2008, 12:02:30 AM4/12/08
to Tol Harndor
Woof!
> own liberty in the process" - Robert Menzies- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -
Michael
Apr 20, 2008, 7:50:16 AM4/20/08
to Tol Harndor
As mentioned I have ordered this book, so I'll have more to say once
I've read it. I've always loved dogs, but it wasn't until we lost
Daisy that I realised how much. We are just about ready to adopt two
rescue dogs, but it won't be before July as we are heading to
Scandinavia for a holiday first.
Ted wrote:
> Moreover it (LotR) was a fantasy quest, in which Magic had its place, and was never meant to represent
> real life.
I find this interesting because I would have thought most readers do
believe it represents real life, even if only in part. I guess you're
saying that Tolkien never meant for this, he just wanted to write a
long story that held people's attention. What the reader makes of it
after that is up to them!
Thanks Ted for bringing this to my attention. I'll let you know when
I;ve received my copy.
On Apr 12, 2:02 pm, "Ted/Edwin/Eadwine/Herendil"
I've read it. I've always loved dogs, but it wasn't until we lost
Daisy that I realised how much. We are just about ready to adopt two
rescue dogs, but it won't be before July as we are heading to
Scandinavia for a holiday first.
Ted wrote:
> Moreover it (LotR) was a fantasy quest, in which Magic had its place, and was never meant to represent
> real life.
I find this interesting because I would have thought most readers do
believe it represents real life, even if only in part. I guess you're
saying that Tolkien never meant for this, he just wanted to write a
long story that held people's attention. What the reader makes of it
after that is up to them!
Thanks Ted for bringing this to my attention. I'll let you know when
I;ve received my copy.
On Apr 12, 2:02 pm, "Ted/Edwin/Eadwine/Herendil"
Jeff Lynch
Apr 30, 2008, 11:03:02 PM4/30/08
to tolha...@googlegroups.com
IF MIchael is in Scandanavia...............Hope you get to Bergen
boy!...the town that blew up during the war...a wunderbar und
Germanic( see Hanseatic League) influenced place on earth.........
Jeff
boy!...the town that blew up during the war...a wunderbar und
Germanic( see Hanseatic League) influenced place on earth.........
Jeff
Michael
May 2, 2008, 7:03:01 AM5/2/08
to Tol Harndor
Not in Scandinavia yet! We don't depart until July the 4th but I will
check the itinerary for Bergen.
I picked up my copy of 'The Cruellest Miles" today and hope to start
it sometime over the weekend.
check the itinerary for Bergen.
I picked up my copy of 'The Cruellest Miles" today and hope to start
it sometime over the weekend.
Ted/Edwin/Eadwine/Herendil
May 4, 2008, 12:24:26 AM5/4/08
to Tol Harndor
Woof! Actually I believe that Siberian Huskies are more like
"Owooooooo".
> > > > > >> http://roots-boots.netmailto:dra...@roots-boots.net
"Owooooooo".
> > > > > >> The greatest tragedy that could overcome a country would be for it
> > > > > >> to fight a successful war in defence of liberty and to lose its
> > > > > >> own liberty in the process" - Robert Menzies
>
> > > > > --
> > > > > Australian Linedance website of the year: Tamworth 2005,2007,2008
> > > > > http://roots-boots.net mailto:dra...@roots-boots.net
> > > > > The greatest tragedy that could overcome a country would be for it
> > > > > to fight a successful war in defence of liberty and to lose its
> > > > > own liberty in the process" - Robert Menzies- Hide quoted text -
>
> > > > > > - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text -
> > > > > >> to fight a successful war in defence of liberty and to lose its
> > > > > >> own liberty in the process" - Robert Menzies
>
> > > > > --
> > > > > Australian Linedance website of the year: Tamworth 2005,2007,2008
> > > > > http://roots-boots.net mailto:dra...@roots-boots.net
> > > > > The greatest tragedy that could overcome a country would be for it
> > > > > to fight a successful war in defence of liberty and to lose its
> > > > > own liberty in the process" - Robert Menzies- Hide quoted text -
>
Ted/Edwin/Eadwine/Herendil
May 6, 2008, 5:14:15 AM5/6/08
to Tol Harndor
I say, Michael: are you likely to get to see Helge K. Fauskanger,
Lille Fauskanger, 5314 Kjerrgarden, Norway?
> > > > > >> http://roots-boots.netmailto:dra...@roots-boots.net
Lille Fauskanger, 5314 Kjerrgarden, Norway?
> > > > > >> The greatest tragedy that could overcome a country would be for it
> > > > > >> to fight a successful war in defence of liberty and to lose its
> > > > > >> own liberty in the process" - Robert Menzies
>
> > > > > --
> > > > > Australian Linedance website of the year: Tamworth 2005,2007,2008
> > > > > http://roots-boots.net mailto:dra...@roots-boots.net
> > > > > The greatest tragedy that could overcome a country would be for it
> > > > > to fight a successful war in defence of liberty and to lose its
> > > > > own liberty in the process" - Robert Menzies- Hide quoted text -
>
> > > > > > - Show quoted text -- Hide quoted text -
> > > > > >> to fight a successful war in defence of liberty and to lose its
> > > > > >> own liberty in the process" - Robert Menzies
>
> > > > > --
> > > > > Australian Linedance website of the year: Tamworth 2005,2007,2008
> > > > > http://roots-boots.net mailto:dra...@roots-boots.net
> > > > > The greatest tragedy that could overcome a country would be for it
> > > > > to fight a successful war in defence of liberty and to lose its
> > > > > own liberty in the process" - Robert Menzies- Hide quoted text -
>
Michael
May 8, 2008, 3:52:36 AM5/8/08
to Tol Harndor
We have two days in Bergen! Tell me what we should be noting.
I'm halfway to Nome too.
On May 6, 7:14 pm, "Ted/Edwin/Eadwine/Herendil"
I'm halfway to Nome too.
On May 6, 7:14 pm, "Ted/Edwin/Eadwine/Herendil"
Ted/Edwin/Eadwine/Herendil
May 9, 2008, 8:40:01 PM5/9/08
to Tol Harndor
I thought you might like to meet Helge Fauskanger, compiler and
webmaster of "The Ardalambion".
Halfway to Nome? Feeling cold? Since reading The Cruellest Miles I now
consider that temperatures in Blackheath are warm!
webmaster of "The Ardalambion".
Halfway to Nome? Feeling cold? Since reading The Cruellest Miles I now
consider that temperatures in Blackheath are warm!
Michael
May 12, 2008, 5:30:34 AM5/12/08
to Tol Harndor
I've never been cold!
I've less than 80 pages to go but what a story so far. They are still
contemplating using an eagle (I mean plane) to save the day while the
serum inches ever closer by land.
I'm flying to Perth tomorrow so a good chance I'll arrive in Nome
too.
On May 10, 10:40 am, "Ted/Edwin/Eadwine/Herendil"
I've less than 80 pages to go but what a story so far. They are still
contemplating using an eagle (I mean plane) to save the day while the
serum inches ever closer by land.
I'm flying to Perth tomorrow so a good chance I'll arrive in Nome
too.
On May 10, 10:40 am, "Ted/Edwin/Eadwine/Herendil"
Jeff Lynch
May 14, 2008, 7:00:50 PM5/14/08
to tolha...@googlegroups.com
Nome place like nome.....THe Vagen....Hanseatic (old)
section......can't miss it buddy....they are the pink blue green
buildings by the port.....go to the fantastic museum too Mike
Jeff
section......can't miss it buddy....they are the pink blue green
buildings by the port.....go to the fantastic museum too Mike
Jeff
Michael
May 15, 2008, 10:16:24 PM5/15/08
to Tol Harndor
What an extraordinary tale. It has all the elements of fiction but as
we know - the truth can be stranger.
There are many parallels with LotR, not the least of which is the fact
that while an airborne rescue was looked at, in the end it was far too
hazardous a venture, much like it would have been to use the Eagles to
carry the Ring or Hobbits to Mordor.
There was a hint of fate and destiny about this story too. In one
particular scene, Seppala was caught on an ocean-bound ice floe with
his dog team. He had no choice but to throw his lead dog Togo over the
widening gap to another floe so that Togo could pull them together.
Togo knew what he had to do and started to pull but the line snapped.
Seppala at this point thought it was all over, but Togo jumped into
the freezing water, grabbed the rope and made it back to shore. He
(i.e Togo) then rolled over a couple of times to secure the rope
around his body and pulled them all to safety. Quite extraordinary.
The lack of accolades given to Togo reminded me of Frodo's treatment
(at least compared to Samwise) on his return to Hobbiton.
The authors have left no stone unturned in their search for the real
story of the dogs and their mushers producing a commendable work of
research, let alone a gripping tale.
Thanks Ted.
we know - the truth can be stranger.
There are many parallels with LotR, not the least of which is the fact
that while an airborne rescue was looked at, in the end it was far too
hazardous a venture, much like it would have been to use the Eagles to
carry the Ring or Hobbits to Mordor.
There was a hint of fate and destiny about this story too. In one
particular scene, Seppala was caught on an ocean-bound ice floe with
his dog team. He had no choice but to throw his lead dog Togo over the
widening gap to another floe so that Togo could pull them together.
Togo knew what he had to do and started to pull but the line snapped.
Seppala at this point thought it was all over, but Togo jumped into
the freezing water, grabbed the rope and made it back to shore. He
(i.e Togo) then rolled over a couple of times to secure the rope
around his body and pulled them all to safety. Quite extraordinary.
The lack of accolades given to Togo reminded me of Frodo's treatment
(at least compared to Samwise) on his return to Hobbiton.
The authors have left no stone unturned in their search for the real
story of the dogs and their mushers producing a commendable work of
research, let alone a gripping tale.
Thanks Ted.
Ted/Edwin/Eadwine/Herendil
May 17, 2008, 7:43:35 PM5/17/08
to Tol Harndor
Glad you enjoyed it, Michael.
On May 16, 12:16 pm, Michael <m...@activ8.net.au> wrote:
> What an extraordinary tale. It has all the elements of fiction but as
> we know - the truth can be stranger.
It can but it is seldom as fascinating as this story.
> There are many parallels with LotR, not the least of which is the fact
> that while an airborne rescue was looked at, in the end it was far too
> hazardous a venture, much like it would have been to use the Eagles to
> carry the Ring or Hobbits to Mordor.
I'd go further and say that sending *anyone* else (eg and especially
Gandalf, Aragorn, any Elves and even possibly Dwarves) into Mordor
would have been too hazardous. The idea that Frodo was somehow
ordained to carry the Ring has always bothered me a bit but in the end
JRRT made a pretty good case for the notion.
> There was a hint of fate and destiny about this story too. In one
> particular scene, Seppala was caught on an ocean-bound ice floe with
> his dog team. He had no choice but to throw his lead dog Togo over the
> widening gap to another floe so that Togo could pull them together.
> Togo knew what he had to do and started to pull but the line snapped.
> Seppala at this point thought it was all over, but Togo jumped into
> the freezing water, grabbed the rope and made it back to shore. He
> (i.e Togo) then rolled over a couple of times to secure the rope
> around his body and pulled them all to safety. Quite extraordinary.
You need to read that bit carefully. It did not apply to the Relay but
to an earlier trip across Norton Sound. It was, however, an amazing
story but quite believable in the context of other accounts of the
behaviour of great sled team lead dogs (though I would not deprive
Togo of being accorded status as the greatest).
> The lack of accolades given to Togo reminded me of Frodo's treatment
> (at least compared to Samwise) on his return to Hobbiton.
There was some parallel there, but I think that Larssen and Balto were
deserving of much praise. Seppala had a fairly low opinion of Balto
but Larssen had a much higher one and it appears that his opinion was
justified in the end. I think the authors disposed of any ugly rumour
that Larssen did the extra stretch in order to be the one taking the
serum into Nome and hence getting all the accolade. Also, and this is
important, I don't think that either Balto or Togo were personally
affronted by the greatest praise going to the wrong dog, while Sam was
clearly disappointed at the attention lavished on him at the expense
of Frodo.
> The authors have left no stone unturned in their search for the real
> story of the dogs and their mushers producing a commendable work of
> research, let alone a gripping tale.
>
> Thanks Ted.
It's a great book, no question. If there is a greater dog story I've
never heard or seen it.
On May 16, 12:16 pm, Michael <m...@activ8.net.au> wrote:
> What an extraordinary tale. It has all the elements of fiction but as
> we know - the truth can be stranger.
> There are many parallels with LotR, not the least of which is the fact
> that while an airborne rescue was looked at, in the end it was far too
> hazardous a venture, much like it would have been to use the Eagles to
> carry the Ring or Hobbits to Mordor.
Gandalf, Aragorn, any Elves and even possibly Dwarves) into Mordor
would have been too hazardous. The idea that Frodo was somehow
ordained to carry the Ring has always bothered me a bit but in the end
JRRT made a pretty good case for the notion.
> There was a hint of fate and destiny about this story too. In one
> particular scene, Seppala was caught on an ocean-bound ice floe with
> his dog team. He had no choice but to throw his lead dog Togo over the
> widening gap to another floe so that Togo could pull them together.
> Togo knew what he had to do and started to pull but the line snapped.
> Seppala at this point thought it was all over, but Togo jumped into
> the freezing water, grabbed the rope and made it back to shore. He
> (i.e Togo) then rolled over a couple of times to secure the rope
> around his body and pulled them all to safety. Quite extraordinary.
to an earlier trip across Norton Sound. It was, however, an amazing
story but quite believable in the context of other accounts of the
behaviour of great sled team lead dogs (though I would not deprive
Togo of being accorded status as the greatest).
> The lack of accolades given to Togo reminded me of Frodo's treatment
> (at least compared to Samwise) on his return to Hobbiton.
deserving of much praise. Seppala had a fairly low opinion of Balto
but Larssen had a much higher one and it appears that his opinion was
justified in the end. I think the authors disposed of any ugly rumour
that Larssen did the extra stretch in order to be the one taking the
serum into Nome and hence getting all the accolade. Also, and this is
important, I don't think that either Balto or Togo were personally
affronted by the greatest praise going to the wrong dog, while Sam was
clearly disappointed at the attention lavished on him at the expense
of Frodo.
> The authors have left no stone unturned in their search for the real
> story of the dogs and their mushers producing a commendable work of
> research, let alone a gripping tale.
>
> Thanks Ted.
never heard or seen it.
Ted/Edwin/Eadwine/Herendil
May 17, 2008, 8:08:07 PM5/17/08
to Tol Harndor
Oops. His name wasn't Larssen, it was Kaasen or similar I think. I've
just lent the book to my next door neighbour.
just lent the book to my next door neighbour.
Jeff Lynch
May 22, 2008, 9:31:35 PM5/22/08
to tolha...@googlegroups.com
Hey and this is mainly aimed at you Edwin.....Ya know something is
coming whn I call yu that TED But ALL others please NB!
coming whn I call yu that TED But ALL others please NB!
(my edition 1964 paper Unwin...up to 1974 published and I dunno if later on!
.........for instance I have never read let alone understood THe
Simmarillion.......but I am a critical critic avec much spunky love
for shoving and shovelling all poesy and all lit things ....afire is
even better!SORT OUT (WITH ME) THE MAN'S CURRENT...ERRRR THEN CURRENT
THINKING BIG TIME...GOT TIME BABIES? DO it DO IT Do it do ditdo dor
tor
lOVE jEFF
First edition THIS WEEKEND DARLINGS
JBL
Ted/Edwin/Eadwine/Herendil
May 23, 2008, 12:47:16 AM5/23/08
to Tol Harndor
If you want to sort out his current thinking it would probably help if
you read the book.
you read the book.
Ted/Edwin/Eadwine/Herendil
May 23, 2008, 8:06:07 PM5/23/08
to Tol Harndor
On May 24, 9:46 am, "Jeff Lynch" <jeffreybly...@gmail.com> wrote:
> you mean the S ted? or Leaf?
> jeff
> Anyhows My review of Leaf has started with Michael and
> David.......attached to younow as well......I will not read the S
> JBL
> On Fri, May 23, 2008 at 2:47 PM, Ted/Edwin/Eadwine/Herendil
>
>
>
> <blackheathkre...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > If you want to sort out his current thinking it would probably help if
> > you read the book.
>
> > On May 23, 11:31 am, "Jeff Lynch" <jeffreybly...@gmail.com> wrote:
> >> Hey and this is mainly aimed at you Edwin.....Ya know something is
> >> coming whn I call yu that TED But ALL others please NB!
>
> >> (my edition 1964 paper Unwin...up to 1974 published and I dunno if later on!
> >> .........for instance I have never read let alone understood THe
> >> Simmarillion.......but I am a critical critic avec much spunky love
> >> for shoving and shovelling all poesy and all lit things ....afire is
> >> even better!SORT OUT (WITH ME) THE MAN'S CURRENT...ERRRR THEN CURRENT
> >> THINKING BIG TIME...GOT TIME BABIES? DO it DO IT Do it do ditdo dor
> >> tor
>
> >> lOVE jEFF
>
> >> First edition THIS WEEKEND DARLINGS
> >> JBL
>
>
>
> 263KDownload- Hide quoted text -
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