Mergler has scoured Alaska's literary tradition for the best writing the state has to offer. "The Last New Land" gathers a rich and comprehensive sampling of fiction, nonfiction and poetry about the Northland.
Praise for The Last New Land Mergler, an Alaskan since l968 and a writer and teacher by profession, has blended his love for literature and his attachment to Alaska in one literary extravaganza. This exceptional anthology provides an exciting and comprehensive overview of the state and the scope and diversity of its literature....An enchanting sampler. - Library Journal A distinctive and engaging frontier tone, perhaps uniquely American, pervades throughout. - Publishers Weekly ...a handsomely produced anthology of stories about Alaska. Seventy-five writers ponder the grand, untrammeled beauty and tenacious cultures of this vast, still mysterious frontier...Each selection reveals a different facet of life in this harsh yet liberating land. - Booklist Alaska is a land of bitter cold, brilliant light shows in the sky, sunny summer nights, and magnificent wilderness-a worthy destination for gold seekers, rugged explorers, and adventuresome travelers. To do a little exploring of your own, leave your parka in the closet and take out The Last New Land, a collection of stories about Alaska from prehistory to present. -Hemispheres Natural history, legends, Native heritage, history, adventure, and autobiography are all a part of this hefty, impressive volume. - The Bloomsbury Review A book that can be dipped into again and again like a sparkling barrel of rain water, refreshing on each successive dip. - Writers NW Many of the best finds in The Last New Land are the voices of natives and less-famous writers, whose perspectives add depth and breadth to the Alaskan experience. - The Twin Cities Reader A milestone in Alaska literature. -The (Kenai, AK) Peninsula Clarion It's an ambitious compilation of stories and excerpts that range from legends to hunts, survival stories to current activities and stories centered on the environment. -The Herald Use this as an excellent literary introduction to Alaska writing, gathering classics of the north and blending in Native tales and legends to provide a fine, well-rounded view of the atmosphere and concerns of the north. This is an excellent collection of diverse impressions which together creates a literary and social observation of Alaska and its peoples. -Midwest Book Review