LibraryThing review: this book is worth a look

From LibraryThing comes another review:

A fun read, but certainly not a traditional biography. If you are looking for a straight storyline with a clear start and end, you may be in for a surprise if you pick up this book. In general, this book is pieced together by segments and articles, as if the author is developing a portrait of a person instead of a life story told in the tradional, narrative storyline. With that said, the life of Jorgy is interesting, and this book is worth a look.

Midwest Book Review

The Midwest Book Review just released this review, appearing in the August Small Press Bookwatch Biography Shelf:

Just because one only has an eighth grade education doesn't mean one can't make something of oneself. "Jorgy: The Life of Native Alaskan Bush Pilot and Airline Captain Holger Jorgy Jorgensen" tells of Jorgy's adventures flying over the skies of every continent in the world (except South America and Antarctica) as a runner of equipment for science, among other duties. A straight no nonsense account of a life in the skies, "Jorgy" is as educational as it is entertaining.

New review from the News-Miner

David A. James has given a somewhat mixed review, but has this to say: "Overall, the book is a valuable addition to the ever-growing library of Alaskan narrative history. Jorgensen is an openly opinionated and frequently very humorous guide." James picks up on the civil rights aspect of Jorgy's experiences, talking about the movie theatre in Nome:

While living in Nome, Jorgensen also directly confronted the local segregation with an act that provides the most dramatic moment in the book. Nome’s theaters were sectioned off at the time, with only one area of seats open for Natives. At the behest of a white friend who wanted this practice abolished, Jorgensen went on a date and deliberately sat in the white section of the theater. This led to his arrest, but his friend (who was also the father of his date) bailed him out, hired a lawyer, and succeeded in opening the theater to all patrons.

This incident, similar to Rosa Parks’ act of civil disobedience in Montgomery, Ala., a few years later, reminds us that although Alaska was far removed from the South, racism was every bit as prevalent (though far less violent). It’s an important piece of civil rights history, and one that should be taught in the state’s schoolrooms.

Review of Jorgy in the Capital City Weekly

and a wonderful review it is! Here's an excerpt:

'Jorgy' a direct and vivid tale of an Alaskan pilot's journeys

…Jean Lester, his "conduit," gives us the next best thing to sitting down with Jorgensen to hear his life story. …

As the 50th anniversary of statehood kicks off this week, we'll be hearing and reading a lot of takes on Alaskan history. "Jorgy" sets out to tell the story of an extraordinary pilot and along the way tells the history of Alaskan aviation. After reading "Jorgy," I have a hard time thinking of a more interesting perspective on state history than through the window of an early Native bush pilot.

Another new review from LibraryThing gives the book four stars:

Wow, what an interesting man Captain "Jorgy" is. This was an interesting book for me, in that it is the first biography that I've read that is essentially an edited transcript of the words spoken aloud by the subject, telling his own story. Thundering applause for Jean Lester for keeping it this way rather than trying to turn this into a "normal" biography. This way, it works. "Hearing" "Jorgy" tell his own story in his own words made this such an interesting read, that I encourage anyone interested in Aviation, Alaska, American History, oral history, or is just looking for a fun read to pick up this book.

Wright Brothers award

Jorgy was awarded this recognition in 2006, but I thought I'd put it online for the benefit of the curious. The Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award (Fairbanks Flight Standards District Office Honoree 2006) is awarded by the FAA. Other honorees include Randy Acord, Pearl Laska, Merrill and Richard Wien, and others. A biography of Jorgy is included on their website (PDF).

A recommended book on Go By Jet!

On the Alaska Airlines page of GoByJet.com Jorgy is listed in the sidebar as a recommended book! Word is getting around.

Canadian bookstore now carrying Jorgy

Jorgy is now available at Mac's Fireweed Books, the first Canadian bookstore to carry his memoir. Mac's is in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, and is an excellent store. As they say, it "is a proud, independent bookstore and a Whitehorse institution." If you're up that way, check them out.