A Schoolteacher in Old Alaska: The Story of Hannah Breece Vintage Books ed. Edition

I had read Tisha also true story of a schoolteacher in Alaska early 1920s. This one was different but also enlightening as to what times were like for teachers who were like pioneers really in what they were doing. I was very surprised to learn the subject was born where I now live, what possessed her to go from central PA to first teach on Indian reservations and at age 54 to go to Alaska to teach fascinates me and I’d like to hear that part of her life story. Her great niece wrote the book from her aunts journals and is famous in this area for completely different reasons. I liked that she wrote about revisiting the areas where her aunt had taught and lived.

Very good and interesting book. Carol

My used addition was in a very slightly used condition. Fine for reading, enjoying, passing on to friends.

I have heard and read many stories about the abuses of teachers and missionaries to the Native people in Alaska. This is not one of those books. Hanna Breece came to Alaska in 1904 and spent 14 years educating Athabascans, Aleuts, Inuits and Russians. She was an extraordinary women who underwent much hardship to bring her love of learning to not only to children, but adults. Her wisdom in handling people and situations was deep and wide. She was extremely generous, helpful to all and her respect for both the native children and their elders was refreshing and heartwarming. The author has a commentary at the end that adds a good deal of interesting information.

I chose this rating due to the travels in an unsettled part of the country . It explained the religious belief of the communities, hardships and duties of a teacher in the remote communities. The dedication a teacher needs to travel, maintain an honest, trustworthy caring friend with her students and parents in her field to be successful. For the many years she spent in this field, travels, made an interesting, understandable person of interest. It was well written and easy to read. I recommend it for any who are interested in history and adventure.

I have mixed feelings about this book. While I feel that Hannah Breece, a schoolteacher in Alaska in the early 1900's did a remarkable job there I also feel that this book drug on a little bit and that she was a bit too prideful.Hannah moves to Alaska on a teaching assignment to educate the "native peoples" there and also improve living conditions in the villages. She actually teaches in several different villages and travels around quite a bit. She has some experiences with the weather and animals in addition to her travels and it provides for an exciting time for her. Mix in poor supplies and schools, but an eager group of children who want to learn and she has her duties cut out for her, but she is eager to do all she can.Hannah is the narrator of this story as it comes from her writings, so it is no surprise that everything centers around her. And she is pretty fair to herself, but I also feel that she probably gave herself a lot of credit for things she might not have even effected. And I did rather get tired of her preaching about how dirty the "natives" were on their own and her stand against alcohol. I realize that alcohol is a problem for a lot of people, but she seemed to take it to a whole new level. I truly believe she was probably for Prohibition in the States. Religion too she had a certain way she liked things done and by golly her ideas had better be followed by the villages she is in. But I am being a little harsh. She helped a lot of children learn and did improve living standards and brought in food for people in bad winters. So she's done a lot of good.The book, as said before, is Hannah's journal of sorts, put together in a complete timeline. And while it was interesting to read, sometimes it was so bogged down in detail that the book ran a little slow. And she glosses over exciting events and tells more about supplies and such. I imagine she didn't expect for it to get published, but it boggles the mind that she would consider how many desks a school has a bigger priority than the brutal winters that she faced and her near death experiences. Everyone has their own priorities I guess. And it should be warned that some of her descriptions of the "natives" can be potentially insulting, as a result of the time period. The 2nd part of the book is a history and commentary on the book that helps explain the time period Hannah lived in and some the people she interacted with.An interesting book, about an interesting woman, but a little dry at times. Definitely a good read for someone interested in Alaska and rural teachers.A Schoolteacher in Old AlaskaCopyright 1995288 pagesReview by M. Reynard 2012

The book I ordered, A Schoolteacher in Old Alaska, was in excellent condition, much better than an older book might be. I was very impressed with the care with which it was packaged. I highly recommend this bookseller!

Today's outdoor adventurers are being paid to take vacations, this old gal battled the wilderness just to get to work. This old girl is a bit of a racist and a prude as well, but her love for the native people who are her clients shines through. Her real descriptions of the lives of those around her and how the lived are a fascinating look into the past. It took the guts and stamina to teach school in the remote bush of old Alaska. This old gal had guts, and was a good writer as well. Get to know her.