Alaska: A History begins by examining the region’s geography and the Native peoples who inhabited it for thousands of years before the first Europeans arrived. The Russians claimed northern North America by right of discovery in 1741. During their occupation of “Russian America”, the region was little more than an outpost for fur hunters and traders. When the czar sold the territory to the United States in 1867, nobody knew what to do with “Seward’s Folly”.

Mainland America paid little attention to the new acquisition until a rush of gold seekers flooded into the Yukon Territory. In 1906 Congress granted Alaska Territory a voteless delegate and in 1912 gave it a territorial legislature. Not until 1959, however, was Alaska’s long-sought goal of statehood realized. During World War II, Alaska’s place along the great circle route from the United States to Asia firmly established its military importance, which was underscored during the Cold War. Then, the discovery of huge oil and natural gas deposits gave a measure of economic security to the state.

Alaska: A History provides a full chronological survey of the region’s and state’s history.

Published by University of Oklahoma Press.

“Buckle your seat belt as distinguished historians Claus M. Naske and Herman E. Slotnick take you on an Alaskan odyssey at rocket speed.” - Tony Knowles, 7th Governor of Alaska

“An unmitigated triumph. . . . A book that will effectively tell Alaska's story for some time to come.” - Alaska History

“This is a must-read for people who want to understand Alaska today and the course the state is taking toward its next chapter.” - Fran Ulmer, Chair, Arctic Research Commission, and former Chancellor, University of Alaska Anchorage