Product Description

Celebrating our 20th classic back in print, the Western Canadian Classics series is designed to keep the best western Canadian history, biography, and other works available in attractive and affordable editions. These popular and bestselling books are selected for their quality, enduring appeal, and importance to an understanding of our past. From the author of the classic North to Cree Lake, Arthur Karras, Face the North Wind is the compelling true story of cousins Fred Darbyshire and Ed Theriau, who spent almost five decades, from 1924 to 1975, trapping and living off the land in northern Saskatchewan. Working an area roughly defined by Cree, Wollaston, and Reindeer Lakes, Fred and Ed evolved from innocent greenhorns to expert trappers at a time when modern conveniences were unheard of in that part of the country. Intertwined with the two men’s experiences are gripping accounts of the annual Hudson’s Bay Company fur brigades along the Churchill River, encounters with wolves, trappers’ lore, and exciting tales of memorable fur, game, and fish catches.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1016920 in Books
• Published on: 2005-03-07
• Released on: 2005-03-07
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 208 pages

About the Author
Arthur L. Karras was born in Rosthern, SK. Following a seven-year sojourn in the North, described in his popular book North to Cree Lake: The Rugged Lives of the Trappers Who Leave Civilization Behind, he served in the army and then worked as a grain buyer, a town and a school administrator. He loved golfing, fishing, square dancing, poetry, and telling jokes, and maintained his love of the northern woods throughout his life.

Customer Reviews

A good book on Man and his struggle with the Wilderness.
The first time I ever read this book was 10 years ago back in highschool when I did a report/essay about man and his struggle in the wilderness. Ever since, it has been a cornerstone for all my books about the North and man's struggle to make a living in it. I though I would write a few lines here after reading 'Face the North Wind' once again. Although I have not read 'North to Cree Lake' by the same author yet, A.L. Karras needs to be congratulated on a fine job of writing down an excellent narrative of an historic past. The book is based upon the yearly adventures of two trappers by the names of Fred Darbyshire & Ed Theriau to the winter wilderness of Northern Saskatchewan. The events in this book are written from actual diary events and personal conversations the author has had with these two gentlemen. Much of this area back then was uncharted and unexplored. This book gives a truly beautiful insight as to how these brave men survived in the sheer depths of winter and made a living at it year after year. Filled with excellent side notes, thoughts, and some photos/maps, 'Face the North Wind' will be just enjoyable to read over again as it was the first time. It make you want to get out your own pair of snowshoes and head on up to the North!