Review: The Great Book of Alaska by Bill O'Neill
I recently read The Great Book of Alaska: The Crazy History of Alaska with Amazing Random Facts & Trivia by Bill O’Neill, which contained random facts and trivia about the largest state in America. As a prolific self-published author, O’Neill has written about other popular states, including Texas, California, and New York, along with books of movie trivia and random facts. The book is divided into six section:
- Modern History
- Culture of Alaskan Natives
- Pop Culture and Sports
- Attractions
- Inventions
- Supernatural
Each section is divided into quick bites of related facts, perfect for reading if you only have a few minutes. The simple writing style make it accessible to upper elementary school and older. The comprehensive table of contents at the front of the book make finding a favorite fact super easy. The short quizzes at the end of each chapter allowed readers to check memory and reading comprehension. This would work as a decent homeschooling tool.
As a researcher who focuses on interactions between disparate American cultures, I was impressed by the way O’Neill described the history and modern lives of Alaskan Natives. He highlighted multiple cultural groups, explaining the etymological origin of the word “Eskimo”, and dispelling myths about igloos and words for snow. While a few descriptions might not pass the strictest political correctness filter, O’Neill clearly made an effort in his research.
However, related to research, O’Neill does not cite sources or include a bibliography, so it is unclear where he gets his information. Before reading this book, I did know several facts about Alaska that appeared in this book, so I am assuming most of the information is correct. Even so, students should not cite this book in graded school projects. Additionally, the text should not be used to teach writing style, as it is somewhat lacking in correct word choice, grammar, and punctuation.
For a fun taste of Alaska appropriate for the whole family, you cannot go wrong with The Great Book of Alaska as long as you do not take the book too seriously. As a historian who enjoys an author that does not take himself too seriously, I would happily read and enjoy the other books by O’Neill.
