Jorgy and Jean Lester to participate in 3rd Annual Alaska Book Festival

The theme for this year's Alaska Book Festival is "Historically Alaska", and, appropriately, Jorgy's memoir is to be one of the featured titles. Jean and Jorgy will be reading from the book and answering questions from the audience during the aviation readings panel along with Dermot Cole on Friday, June 12, at Pioneer Park at the Exhibit Hall at 3:30 to 4:30.

Upcoming events and a new review

Another review from LibraryThing:

Jorgy Jorgensen is definitely a remarkable individual who overcame long odds to rise to a well respected position in his chosen profession. The book conveys his laconic voice well although, to some extent, it is a victim of his accomplishments in that, even when Jorgy's not bragging, the book seems to be.

The book holds obvious appeal for fans of aviation and those interested in the behind the scenes stories of the Alaska bush. While I am neither of those, the book held my interest quite well too.

There are two upcoming events at which you can meet Holger Jorgensen and get a copy of his book. The first is a book signing at Gulliver's, Saturday, May 17, from 2 to 4 (and probably a bit later). The second is a talk on aviation and his life at Noel Wien Library, Wednesday, May 21, at 7 pm. Jorgy will give an overview and perhaps an anecdote or two, and he and Jean Lester will be available for questions and book signing afterward.

First reviews, from LibraryThing

The first reviews of Jorgy are out! Two readers at LibraryThing have given the book four stars. Here's the the most recent, from MrsLee:

I was very pleased with this book. The cover is attractive and the size of the book is comfortable, as well as allowing the print to be comfortably readable. It included a great map illustration which made Jorgy’s travels come alive. Many photos, interesting captions and quotes from those who knew him, as well as an informative glossary and appendix made for a fuller picture of this man’s life. Having interviewed the elderly to try to write their memories down, I know how difficult it can be to get them to talk about themselves, that is why the notes from those who worked with and knew Holger Jorgensen are so helpful. Jean Lester did a good job of capturing Jorgy’s calm, dry, no-nonsense style of speaking and his quiet humor.

Aviation fans would probably enjoy this book even more than I did; it is filled with details of the flights and planes used in the bush of Alaska in the 30’s, 40’s, 50’s and 60’s. It also tells much of the life of survival in Alaska villages in those years. There are many interesting anecdotes which made it an easy read. Holger faced and overcame tragedy, prejudice and hardship. He quietly, or not so quietly, did what was right and did his best. It is uplifting to read about such a man, and I felt by the end of this book that I had met a fine specimen of the human race.

The second reviewer, apparently a pilot, also enjoyed the book:

I sailed through this thoroughly enjoyable and well-told story of the life of native Alaskan bush pilot Holger Jorgensen, as told to Jean Lester. His description of Alaska and village life when he was growing up in the 1930s and 40s is fascinating by itself. Jorgensen describes his ascent through the ranks as a pilot, along with the discrimination he faced as a native. He also tells how the training, guidance and equal treatment he received from those who saw him only as a pilot - not a native pilot - helped him to achieve his goal to be the best pilot he could. I found the descriptions of flights, airports (or sometimes just spots to land) and piloting strategies and techniques to be particularly instructive, even if I never fly in Alaska. This is a handsome book, with photographs and a nice format.

Where to get the book

At the moment, there are several options. You can order directly from the publisher or order through Alaska bookstores like Gulliver's Books, Title Wave, or the UAF Bookstore.

You can also order on line through Amazon, or, if you are looking for a distributor for this title for your bookstore, you can contact Partners West Book Distribution.

And, of course, it is going to be available at the Alaska Airmen's Association conference, the Valdez Fly-In, and other aviation events!

The book retails for $25 and is a paperback, with many photos, appendices, and an index.

A photo of Jorgy

From Men of the Tundra: Alaska Eskimos at War, by Muktuk Marston, comes a listing on Alaskool of photos, including one of Jorgy. You have to scroll most of the way down the page.

Advance box has arrived!

The first two boxes of the book have arrived (just yesterday) and the first batch of review copies of Jorgy have gone out! Review copies will be going to newspapers and magazines around the state, including small newspapers in towns where Jorgy had regular flights, or which are discussed in the book. These include places like Nome, Kotzebue, Bethel, and elsewhere.

The books are on their way!

The books shipped today from the printer. Half will be drop shipped to Anchorage, just in time for the aviation conference, and the other half will come up to Fairbanks.

At the Alaska State Aviation trade show

The annual Alaska Airmen's Convention and trade show is a huge aviation show and get-together in Alaska. Jorgy Jorgensen, Jean Lester, and the publisher will have a table at this event -- along with Jorgy's memoir! Come see us there!