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White Wave Publishing Co.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                CONTACT:  Diana Sedor, Editor                                                                                                                                (907) 235-1339

OFF THE MAP:

THE TRUE ALASKA ADVENTURES OF

ROBERT L. PELKEY, SR.

A MEMOIR   

 

 

Robert Pelkey, Sr.

 

When Bob Pelkey started writing his memoir, he was fully involved in his love affair with Alaska.  His passion for place as well as for the written word was taking shape as he told his stories about his 40-plus years in the state.   Like many Alaskans, he had a story to tell.  Unlike many Alaskans, he was not afraid of the amount of work involved in writing a memoir and sharing his story with others.  He started out wanting to tell people about his experiences and eventually discovered he had a way with words.

Off The Map is a cross between The Perfect Storm and Ice Road Truckers, telling tales of Bob's years on the sea as a fisherman and resident of Akutan Island, in the air as he traveled back and forth to the Aleutians, and on the road when he became a trucker during the heyday of the pipeline.  He began working on his book about 10 years ago, dictating stories as he drove the Alcan on his route from Homer to Edmonton.  Unfortunately, as he became more involved in the writing process, he was killed very unexpectedly in 2003.  His project was put on hold until family and friends decided that the book should not pass away.  Now Bob's stories are available for locals to enjoy and his memoir was completed according to the notes and instructions he had compiled for the printing and distribution of his book. 

Bob Pelkey not only had a love affair with Alaska, its places and people, but he had the courage and enthusiasm to take unexpected paths and explore different aspects of life here.  Whether walking the streets as a beat cop in Fairbanks or gathering wood and water in -50 degree weather to help a Yukon Quest musher, he did not shy away from Alaska's challenges.  Like a good lead dog, Bob always wanted to see what was around the next corner or over the next hill.  He had a healthy respect for the dangers and potential disasters that could befall any adventurer, but he did not let fear stop his forward progress. 

 

 

White Wave Publishing Co.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                CONTACT:  Diana Sedor, Editor                                                                                                                                (907) 235-1339

  

  

Excerpt; pp.85-86:

I directed my skiff right out to the edge, past Entrance Point.  The rollers were up and I just felt compelled to get out in the middle of them.... On top of the roller and cruising down the other side, I picked up speed to about 30 mph.  I'd come to a bit of a chop on top of a swell, hit it full bore and be airborne!  Then do it all over again.... It was so exciting riding those swells in that little old boat.  Oh, boy, the balance was perfect.... I played out there probably for about 20 minutes ... [then] ... I decided I better get my butt back into the beach.... My wife was absolutely fit to be tied.  She chewed on my ass for a couple hours about what a dumb stunt that was, to go out and risk my life in a storm just for the fun of it.  She was right, it was pretty idiotic, but it was the thrill of a lifetime.

 

Orders are currently being taken and Off The Map will be available for purchase mid-December, 2010.  FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO REQUEST A REVIEW COPY: please contact Diana Sedor in Homer, Alaska at (907) 235-1339 or email ladydi1339@yahoo.com.

 

 

TITLE:  Off The Map: The True Alaska Adventures of Robert L. Pelkey, Sr.

AUTHOR:  Robert L. Pelkey, Sr.

EDITOR:  Diana Sedor

FORMAT:  Softbound, 350 pages, b/w photos and maps

PRICE:  $18.95 USA and $24.95 Canada

ISBN:  978-0-9797442-7-3

PUBLICATION DATE:  Dec. 15, 2010