<DIV>Just over 140 years ago, the United States made one of the greatest land deals of all time, purchasing from Russia a massive piece of property near the Arctic Circle. Since then, the land known as Alaska has been the site of a gold rush and an oil boom, but those great events comprise only a small portion of the state's fascinating history. Historic Photos of Alaska captures the majesty, history, and regal beauty of America's largest and most northern state through nearly 200 archival black-and-white photographs of this awe-inspiring region. Author Dermot Cole takes the reader on a journey through Alaska's pristine natural beauty and documents moments from the 1898 gold rush to the only World War II invasion on North American soil, to the long-awaited statehood and the incredible destruction wrought by the massive 1964 earthquake. Don't miss this fascinating trip through Alaska's history!</div>