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  • Arctic Homestead

  • The True Story of One Family's Survival and Courage in the Alaskan Wilds
  • Written by: Norma Cobb, Charles W. Sasser
  • Narrated by: Emily Beresford
  • Length: 8 hrs and 44 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (49 ratings)

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Arctic Homestead

Written by: Norma Cobb, Charles W. Sasser
Narrated by: Emily Beresford
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Publisher's Summary

In 1973, Norma Cobb, her husband Lester, and their five children pulled up stakes in the lower 48 and headed north to Alaska to follow a pioneer dream of claiming land under the Homestead Act. The only land available lay north of Fairbanks near the Arctic Circle where grizzlies outnumbered humans 20 to one. 

In addition to fierce winters and predatory animals, the Alaskan frontier drew the more unsavory elements of society's fringes. From the beginning, the Cobbs found themselves pitted in a life or death feud with unscrupulous neighbors who would rob from new settlers, attempt to burn them out, shoot them, and jump their claim. 

The Cobbs were chechakos, tenderfeet, in a lost land that consumed even toughened settlers. Everything, including their "civilized" past, conspired to defeat them. They constructed a cabin and the first snow collapsed the roof. They built too close to the creek and spring breakup threatened to flood them out. Bears prowled the nearby woods, stalking the children, and Lester Cobb would leave for months at a time in search of work. But through it all, they survived on the strength of Norma Cobb - a woman whose love for her family knew no bounds and whose courage in the face of mortal danger is an inspiration to us all. Arctic Homestead is her story.

©2000 Norma Cobb and Charles Sasser (P)2018 Tantor

What listeners say about Arctic Homestead

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Abysmal Narration

The story is certainly engrossing. What a life! The narration, unfortunately, ranks with the worst. The woman sounds angry and frantic at the same time. I had to really focus on the content and try to ignore the delivery.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent story horrible narration

The story was amazing. I love all things homesteading and wilderness related. however the narrator sounded like she had once been a news anchor or sportscaster and read the book like one. Annoying but I ignored it eventually.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Choose your narrator carefully

The story was lovely though rather predictable. An easy read that conjures up vivid imagery for the reader. Quite an adventure indeed! Narration completely distracted me. The narrator tried to use different voices for different characters which became completely annoying... some do this well, this one not so much. I do recommend the story however.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Stick with it

At first I almost quit this book. Glad I didn’t. So good. You’ll like it too.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

interesting 'modern day' homesteading story

pretty good. not crazy about the narrator or the often superior attitude of Norma. enjoyed hearing about how they overcame hardship with grit and determination though.

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