Bear Man of Admiralty Island: A Biography of Allen E. Hasselborg (Lanternlight Library) Paperback – December 1, 1996

this guy was THE bear hunter of Admiralty Island....land of the largest carnivore on the planet. (well actually the polar is bigger.) Its a great read.

Great book, pictures, pretty amazing. This is my third copy, and it is signed by the author in 1971.

Excellent (and probably the only) biography of Allen Hasselborg, a legendary bear hunter and self taught naturalist. Anyone interested in catching a glimpse of life in Alaska in the early 1900s is well advised to read this book. Hasselborg's evolution from a young, Alaska sourdough that began his career shooting bears for their hides, or as specimens for museums (1907 Alexander Expedition), to eventually deciding in his later years to not shoot bears at all if he could avoid it, is chronicled well by John R. Howe. Hasselborg was known to stop charging bears by speaking to them but it is also clear he had a gun close at hand at all times when dealing with them. It was also said by some that whenever he spoke to bears, they understood him. Many men considered him ornery while most women found him very charismatic and charming. All in all, a great book about a complex and very interesting character of Alaska.

Great book

A great book of independence and doing what you want to do. Allan is an inspiration and waht he accomplished was incredible. From bear hunter to bear observer what a great guy.

Good read; inspiring.

Very well researched and written account of a true Alaskan pioneer. A quaint and nostalgic in depth story with great editing.

John R. Howe should be thanked profusely for his careful - without being labored - biography of Allen Hasselborg, an Alaskan hunter/naturalist/loner.Howe chronicles the days and times (late 1800s to mid-1900s) of Hasselborg's life through his letters, ledger entries, interviews with those who knew him and occasional newspaper and magazine articles about the somewhat eccentric man.While the emphasis given to detailed research might leave some writers stuck with boring copy, this book "sings" with Hasselborg and who he is. It includes his encounters with grizzlies and brown bears, scientists and government bureaucrats.Howe, blessedly, doesn't get in the way either. His writing is spare, direct and compelling.I would recommend this for anyone with an interest in bears, nature, hunting or people.