Aunt Phil’s Trunk Volume One: Bringing Alaska’s History Alive by Laurel Downing Bill is a series of short stories and hundreds of photographs of historical note that go along with them. The first volume showcases the arrival of Alaska Natives thousands of years ago. There are stories that include the story of mighty shaman, mysterious petroglyphs and fierce battles against Russian fur traders, who arrived in the mid-1700s. Follow time through to 1867 when Alaska became part of the United States and Americans began steaming their way to the final American frontier, when gold sent people into a frenzy. Alaska is a state of legend with a colorful past and you can find it here.

I love history and I fully admit I am hooked on all the Alaska shows that are currently on TV, so when I got the chance to read this book I jumped at it. I love the format that Laurel Downing Bill uses to tell the history of Alaska. I learned so much in reading this book and I truly never knew just how rich a history Alaska had and the stories are so nicely told. You can tell that a lot of work and research went into this book and it is clearly a passion for Laurel Downing Bill. I am looking forward to reading more books in this series and I would give this book a big recommendation for history lovers. If you want to know something about beautiful rugged Alaska give this one a try; you will enjoy it.