Jerome Odium rewords the autobiography of Frances Fitz, quite a gal, tough, resilient and always ready for a long chance, the first lady sourdough (that being the term for an experienced explorer or settler). Predicating an interest in this type of thing. It makes good, rugged, often lively reading of the Arctic Eldorado. Frances Ella went to Name in 1900 as secretary to Howard Rowe, head of a shoestring company. Rowe, erratic, impractical, hazardous, led her a fine chase during her years there, first in Name, a feverish, uncouth brutal town -- then in the interior where she followed him for a winter. The trip there was perilous -- blizzard and ice floes, frozen food and frozen food, vermin. Through the years Frances Ella fed him money for one realized venture after another -- until eventually her own claim comes through with a got of gold. Personal, energetic, authentic, for the pioneer adventure market.