The History of Women's Professional Bronc Riding 1904-1940, by Jody Ellen Meanus
The newest book from Northern Light Media is a history of the women who rode bucking horses in the early years of rodeo, and explains why the event was later eliminated from professional rodeo. In the early 1900s major rodeos such as the Pendleton Round-Up, Cheyenne Frontier Days and the Calgary Stampede welcomed women bronc riders and often featured them as the star attraction in their top billings to draw in crowds. But during the 1930s professional rodeo began to undergo series of decidedly biased changes that ultimately led to the near total demise of women's roughstock competition.
This book shares the profiles and photographs of more than thirty champion women bronc riders who made history in the early days of rodeo. Click here for more information about the book and photos of some of the lady bronc riders.
The History of Women's Professional Bronc Riding 1904-1940, by Jody Ellen Meanus. 180 pages, full color, indexed, with more than 120 photographs. Bibliography, Resources, Indexed.
Sled Dog History Book Review in Alaska Magazine
The March, 2024 issue of Alaska magazine includes a wonderful review of Northern Light Media’s 2023 book, The History of Sled Dogs in North America, by Helen Hegener. With the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race beginning March 2 this is superb timing, and David A. James’ review is a delightful read. He writes, “One of the surprises of the book is learning just how popular mushing was elsewhere in North America. Events were held in many states, attracting thousands of fans, and (Leonhard) Seppala was just one of several Alaskan mushers who gained national renown on the racing circuit.”
The review—and the entire issue—is worth checking out, and if you don’t have a subscription to Alaska magazine, most libraries will have it on their shelves.
New Website Address
Northern Light Media has a new website address, northernlightmedia.org
Wholesale Books
I’ve updated the wholesale pages for the books on my Northern Light Media website, including a downloadable PDF brochure and a new page for easy online ordering.
There are no restrictions on wholesale ordering, and the listed prices are available to anyone with an interest in my books. They make great gifts, donate a copy to your local library, use them for fund-raisers, or just fill out your own collection at the best prices available anywhere.
Author Lew Freedman
Northern Light Media has published three books by Lew Freedman:
• Adventures on the Iditarod Trail: Fast Dogs, Freezing Mushers and the Alaska Wild - Interviews with some of the race’s most interesting and compelling competitors sharing their adventures on the Iditarod Trail. Published in December, 2023. 292 pages, 6′ x 9″ b/w format, includes photos, map, bibliography, indexed.
• Northern Journey: A Report from the Frontier - In “Northern Journey” Lew tells the stories behind the adventures which became his books and articles, and he shares tales of learning the language of northerners, racing on snowshoes, facing down moose, engaging in polar bear swims, and noting that the river ice under his 5,000-pound taxi is very close to breaking up. Published by Northern Light Media in 2023. 238 pages, 6″ x 9″ format, more than two dozen photos.
• 50 Years of Iditarod Adventures: The First Fifty Years of the Last Great Race - Fifty years of race history, with synopses of each annual race, records of all of the award winners, and biographies of many individuals and families who have contributed to make the race what it is today, a worldwide phenomenon and The Last Great Race on Earth. Cover art by Jon Van Zyle. Published in 2022. 310 pages, over 80 b/w photos.
This spring Lew’s newest book, about fishing in Alaska, will be published by Northern Light Media. Stay tuned for more information!
Jeff Schultz’s Faces & Places
And last, something different. I thought many of my readers would be interested in one of my favorite resources, which is the official Iditarod photographer Jeff Schultz’s wonderful project, “Faces of Iditarod®.” A couple of years ago I worked on this epic collection with Jeff, as one of his behind-the-scenes editors, and I enjoyed seeing what goes into a project of this magnitude. It’s pretty impressive!
Jeff includes 1,049 mushers, volunteers, fans, village residents and of course many of the beloved canine athletes. Each entry includes a quick profile, an audio clip, and questions answered. Jeff writes, “Our hope is that from the images here, which take the subject out of the “Iditarod elements,” combined with their stories (audio & written) and personal info, will show what this thing we call the IDITAROD® really is — an Alaska event of real-life humans and superstar canines that is simply like no other event in the world.”
Jeff has also created similar online photo collections featuring Faces of Alaska, and another which focuses on the Places of Alaska, with Jeff’s audio comments, information and history about the location, camera details, and additional photos of the site.
Be sure to check out my favorite part, the last question on everyone’s profile: “What is one thing you know for sure?”
Helen
Helen Hegener