The History of the Central Brooks Range uses rare primary sources in order to provide a chronological examination and history of the Koyukuk region—including anthropological descriptions of the Native groups that make the Central Brooks Range and its surroundings their home. The history of early exploration, mining, and the Klondike all overflow into the story of the Koyukuk region and its rich cultural heritage, and William E. Brown provides a fascinating history of the extraordinary ways of survival employed by pioneers in this rugged northern land. Supplemented with detailed descriptions by Robert Marshall, The History of the Central Brooks Range is further enhanced by over 150 beautiful full-color illustrations—from early exploration to the creation of the Gates of the Arctic National Park—making this an essential volume for anyone interested in Alaska Native studies.

William E. Brown served as historian for the National Park Service Region for ten years before he came to Alaska in 1975. He later served as key man on the Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve proposal, as well as adjunct history professor for the University of Alaska’s Arctic Environment Information and Data Center and park historian at Gates of the Arctic National Park and Denali National Park.