--- product_id: 219839 title: "Winterdance: The Fine Madness of Running the Iditarod" price: "€ 30.81" currency: EUR in_stock: true reviews_count: 13 url: https://www.desertcart.hr/products/219839-winterdance-the-fine-madness-of-running-the-iditarod store_origin: HR region: Croatia --- # Winterdance: The Fine Madness of Running the Iditarod **Price:** € 30.81 **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** Winterdance: The Fine Madness of Running the Iditarod - **How much does it cost?** € 30.81 with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.hr](https://www.desertcart.hr/products/219839-winterdance-the-fine-madness-of-running-the-iditarod) ## Best For - Customers looking for quality international products ## Why This Product - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Description An incredible sled-dog race through the Alaskan wilderness and a stunning journey of discovery and survival from the author of the beloved Hatchet . Fueled by a passion for running dogs, Gary Paulsen entered the Iditarod—the eleven-hundred-and-eight-mile sled-dog race through the Alaskan wilderness—in dangerous ignorance and with a fierce determination. For seventeen days, he and his team of dogs endured blinding wind, snowstorms, frostbite, dog fights, moose attacks, sleeplessness, hallucinations—and the relentless push to go on. Winterdance is the enthralling account told by the "best author of man-against-nature adventures writing today" ( Publishers Weekly) . Review: One of the best books I've ever read - This might be the funniest book I've ever read; Paulson takes us through his education as a clueless Iditarod racer, describing the mishaps he experiences throughout his training, and during the race. His dry wit as he described mishap after mishap caused me to shake with laughter as I tried to contain myself on the New York City subway; I had to put the book down several times so that I could "regroup" before the next bout of laughter. His saintly wife acts as his "straight man" as she endures his debacles at the hands of his dogs and whatever nature could throw at him. What also comes across though is the bond he forges with his dogs, especially Cookie, who seems to have a deep understand of Paulson, as well as what is expected of her as he trains; he describes her—and the bond he has with her—with great tenderness and devotion as they come to rely on each other during the course of the book. Whether you love books about animals, books that make you laugh, books about the Iditarod... I would highly recommend this book. I've read a lot of books, and this is one of the best I've ever read. Review: This Minnesotan is one tough cookie - I was hanging around the house with bronchitis when I picked up my daughter's copy of "Winterdance: the fine madness of running the Iditarod". What a surprise. This is a hilarious book by a driven man. Gary Paulsen and his wife, Ruth, are broke and down on their luck when they move to Northern Minnesota where Gary runs traplines using a dog team and sled. Eventually, he awakens to the idea of running the Iditarod. The book covers his experiences training for the race and then the race itself. His experiences are heart-warming (or perhaps ball-warming as when he sets kitchen matches alight in his pants pocket)and display a determination that's nearly other worldly. But people aren't the main characters in this book, it's the dogs. We eat, sleep and run with the dogs. And it is a learning experience. Gary Paulsen is one tough cookie who brings to life the hardship, wind, snowstorms, frostbite, dog fights, moose attacks, sleeplessness, hallucinations, concussions, physical abuse and brutal reality of the Iditarod. And gives us more: the magnificent beauty of Alaska and the strange, deep relationship that develops between dog and man. This is one of the best outdoor adventure books I've read (and there have been many). I highly recommend it. ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | Best Sellers Rank | #64,229 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #2 in Iditarod & Dog-Sledding #251 in Traveler & Explorer Biographies #1,968 in Memoirs (Books) | | Customer Reviews | 4.8 out of 5 stars 928 Reviews | ## Images ![Winterdance: The Fine Madness of Running the Iditarod - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91RjWLj7HdL.jpg) ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ One of the best books I've ever read *by M***Y on April 3, 2017* This might be the funniest book I've ever read; Paulson takes us through his education as a clueless Iditarod racer, describing the mishaps he experiences throughout his training, and during the race. His dry wit as he described mishap after mishap caused me to shake with laughter as I tried to contain myself on the New York City subway; I had to put the book down several times so that I could "regroup" before the next bout of laughter. His saintly wife acts as his "straight man" as she endures his debacles at the hands of his dogs and whatever nature could throw at him. What also comes across though is the bond he forges with his dogs, especially Cookie, who seems to have a deep understand of Paulson, as well as what is expected of her as he trains; he describes her—and the bond he has with her—with great tenderness and devotion as they come to rely on each other during the course of the book. Whether you love books about animals, books that make you laugh, books about the Iditarod... I would highly recommend this book. I've read a lot of books, and this is one of the best I've ever read. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ This Minnesotan is one tough cookie *by E***N on December 5, 2008* I was hanging around the house with bronchitis when I picked up my daughter's copy of "Winterdance: the fine madness of running the Iditarod". What a surprise. This is a hilarious book by a driven man. Gary Paulsen and his wife, Ruth, are broke and down on their luck when they move to Northern Minnesota where Gary runs traplines using a dog team and sled. Eventually, he awakens to the idea of running the Iditarod. The book covers his experiences training for the race and then the race itself. His experiences are heart-warming (or perhaps ball-warming as when he sets kitchen matches alight in his pants pocket)and display a determination that's nearly other worldly. But people aren't the main characters in this book, it's the dogs. We eat, sleep and run with the dogs. And it is a learning experience. Gary Paulsen is one tough cookie who brings to life the hardship, wind, snowstorms, frostbite, dog fights, moose attacks, sleeplessness, hallucinations, concussions, physical abuse and brutal reality of the Iditarod. And gives us more: the magnificent beauty of Alaska and the strange, deep relationship that develops between dog and man. This is one of the best outdoor adventure books I've read (and there have been many). I highly recommend it. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Best gift book ever....Ever! *by L***R on January 13, 2021* Reading this book touches readers in different ways and at different points. Still, this is the favorite read of our book club. Gary Paulsen brings together a variety of elements with maestro talent: the Iditarod Race itself, the Alaskan people and community, the extreme of sled dogs and the ignorant dreams of a crazy adventurer. (Perhaps The Godfather is the only book with a faster start.) The comedy of this book is not individual punchlines. Rather, it is the accumulating insanity that reaches a boil with every reader at different points. My point was reached at 1:20am...past my reading curfew. I started laughing so hard that I was losing my breath. Literally! I calmed myself remembering, that should I pass out, my body would take over breathing by itself. There is a dire pleasure and jealousy following somebody else foolishly pursue their dreams. I will never look at a Volkswagen Bug the same again. I will have new respect for the innate character of all animals--domesticated, wild, in-between and hybrid of both. This is not the best book ever. It is my favorite book ever! I have gifted this book at least forty times. --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.hr/products/219839-winterdance-the-fine-madness-of-running-the-iditarod](https://www.desertcart.hr/products/219839-winterdance-the-fine-madness-of-running-the-iditarod) --- *Product available on Desertcart Croatia* *Store origin: HR* *Last updated: 2026-09-19*