The Price of Paradise

The Price of Paradise is a must-read for anyone who enjoys Alaskan adventure. From a childhood dream to the boreal forest, the author sets forth an unforgettable memoir of adventure and perseverance. You will feel the emotion of his successes and the pain of his failures. You will hear the howl of the wolves and shiver in the cold. You will shake your head in disbelief. You may laugh and cry, but most of all, you will know the freedom he found. My first experience with Mark and Ken was during the winter of 1982. I was flying around looking for wolves, when I came on a myriad of snowshoe trails. These trails went in every direction and covered a fairly large area. “Now, who in the world would do that?” I wondered. I met Mark the following winter when he stopped by our airstrip looking to fly over his trapping area. A friendship was born that day, which now spans over 35 years. Whether on the trapline or out hunting, we have shared some great adventures and made a lot of good memories. Mark has set forth his memories of a lifetime on the trail within the pages of this book. With his gift for story-telling, there's no doubt it will be a memorable read. Chuck McMaha-Gakona Guide Service: A legend of the Last Frontier in his own right, Mark had the best of two worlds. He spent 34 years (1988-2021) working for the Alaska Department of Fish and Game every summer, then hunting and trapping his way through the rest of the year. As a colleague and friend for the last 20 years, I can assure you that several lifetimes of riveting outdoor adventures lie between the covers of this book. I don't know if Mark had an affinity for bizarre and unusual outdoor experiences, or if those experiences had an affinity for him. No doubt, Mark's harrowing adventures, coupled with his story-telling skills, are rivaled by few. Corey Schwanke-Fisherman and Fisheries Biologist.