Actually I finished this on one of those 'rain all day' days we have been having.
Pilgrim's Wilderness by Tom Kizzia. This is the true story of a man who moved his wife and 15 children to a remote area in Alaska, near a small town and an abandoned copper mining operation, which also happened to be in the middle of a National Forest.
The family truly possessed remarkable survival skills and an ability to cobble together equipment and buildings...whatever was needed. To top it off they were musically talented as well.
The bad side is that the father,"Pilgrim", imagined himself to be a sort of holy man and a religious leader. He maintained a physical and mental control over his wife and children...none of whom had moved away from their parents even though some were up in their late twenties. He did this by doling out punishment and beatings and filling their minds with suspicion and distrust of others. Brainwashing, really.
This book details a little of their life before the move to Alaska but it is mainly about how Pilgrim gradually alienated the townspeople who initially supported his right to live as he chose. Also a lot about his confrontations with the National Park Service. Then there is a big shocker in the story...just what you might expect though. This was a man who seemed to think everything belonged to him.
It's an interesting book. I wish it were a little more detailed about the family members and what their life was like living in such conditions.
The author explained that the family is no longer giving interviews. They want to live a quiet and normal life now that they are no longer under "Pilgrim's" control.
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