Yukon Memories: A Mountie's Story

Steven R. Hewitt teaches history at the University of Saskatchewan.

The general public seems endlessly fascinated by true-crime books. This
one avoids the sensationalism typical of the genre, but is a compelling
work nonetheless. It details Mounted Policeman Jack “Tich”
Watson’s four-year stint in the Yukon in the 1930s. Watson, with the
help of Gray Campbell, uses his journals to vividly recount experiences
that range from the everyday struggle with climatic conditions to
witnessing an execution to dealing with recalcitrant sled dogs.
Thankfully, Yukon Memories shuns clichés in favor of suspense, and
manages to inspire in the reader a great deal of admiration for those
who faced the challenges of the Yukon.