ABOUT THE BOOK

A Language All Their Own was inspired by the author’s experiences in the float-camps of Southeast Alaska. In years past, logging camps could be found hugging the rugged, rocky shoreline, floating hamlets buoyed from logs harvested out of the same forests that provided the inhabitants with their livelihood. Moored a world apart, the only way in or out of the camps was by boat or plane. Some camps were larger, some smaller, nestled in quiet coves, bays and inlets; shrouded in fog; drenched by the rain; occasionally warmed by the sun or locked in the ice of winter.

Each camp had its own stories of challenges faced, hardships endured, triumphs savored, tragedies borne and good times remembered. Each crew had its own characters and culls, heroes and slackers, greenhorns and old timers. The language they spoke, and the lifestyle they led, was uniquely their own. Like the citizens of most autonomous principalities, those who ruled the camps, and those who choose to be part of them, hope they will last forever. This book preserves one man’s view of the logging camps in verse for future generations.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Bill Stewart lived and worked in Southeastern Alaska’s logging camps from 1973 to 1996. His experiences are recounted in his verse with a blend of humor and faith--both of which he considered requisites for such an occupation.

Stewart now resides in Ketchikan, Alaska, where he works as an artist. He lives with his wife, Gwenda, two daughters and the family dog.

A Language All Their Own, a Life unto Themselves ISBN-10: 1-58832-016-2 ISBN-13: 978-1-58832-016-2 Retail: $12.99 U.S. Edition: First Specs: 6 x 9 Trade Paperback Length: 116 Released: April 2001 Subject(s): Poetry