Arctic Exodus: The Last Great Trail Drive

Bev Eastman is a high-school biology and general science teacher in
Chatham, Ontario.

The account of this journey across the Canadian Arctic is so vividly
portrayed that readers do not need much imagination to find themselves
right with the group of herders.

The concept of introducing reindeer into the Canadian Arctic as a
source of food for the Native population at least seemed a good idea.
The formidable problem was how to get these animals from Alaska, where
they existed in great numbers, to the Canadian Arctic. The Canadian
government proposed a deal with the Lomen Brothers, who controlled a
large reindeer herd in Alaska. The contract was struck and Andrew Bahr
was picked as trail boss.

The story is a moderately paced analysis of the challenges,
disappointments, successes, and failures of the next five years en route
to the final destination for the herd of 3000 reindeer. Throughout the
journey, the reader learns about many aspects of life in the far North,
including its flora and fauna. The rigorous temperatures, sometimes
70°F below zero, continuously tested the herders. The wolves’
vigilant insistence on attacking the herd aroused nervous anticipation.
The stampedes, the birth of young, and the typical reindeer behavior
patterns all provided a real learning experience. Human endurance was
tested on a daily basis. Human interaction was quite successful,
considering the length of the drive and the adverse conditions. The book
gives an excellent account that can always be visualized by the reader.

The map reference is useful for locating the action during the drive.
The photographs give the reader a look at the real people who met this
great challenge while the rest of the world was enduring the Great
Depression. This book has appeal for a wide variety of readers, from
those who have an interest in the North from a historical or biological
perspective to those who just like a good story.