Baldy, a lead dog of Scotty Allan, is perhaps one of the most famous lead dogs in history. A dog of mixed heritage, like most of Allan’s dogs, Baldy’s story is the story of a down-and-out dog of disrepute that rises to the position of leader through devotion, courage, hard work, and perseverance.

Although unproven as a leader, Allan is forced to put Baldy in lead for the Solomon Derby when his leader Kid dies suddenly in an unfortunate accident. Baldy proves his worth in this race when he realizes that his driver, Scotty, is no longer on the sled and stops and turns the team, finding the musher unconscious on the trail. At his insistent licking and pawing, Scotty regains consciousness and goes on to win the race. Later in the season, Baldy again leads Scotty’s team to victory in the All Alaska Sweepstakes, again against the odds.

Baldy of Nome was written in 1913 by Esther Birdsall Darling, part owner of the renowned Allan and Darling Kennel of Nome, and reflects the writing style of the time. Similar to Jack London’s Buck in Call of the Wild, Baldy has human thoughts and characteristics to explain his actions and personality. While there is no doubt that sled dogs have distinct personalities, the anthropomorphic writing creates an overly romanticized image of sled dogs and the North. On the other hand, Darling’s tale also reflects the indispensable role dogs played in this period of Alaska history. This was the era when dogs were essential to human survival in the North: they hauled goods and supplies, delivered mail and medicine, and provided transportation for miners, hunters, trappers and other residents of Alaska.

The book also provides a great deal of historical detail about the care of dogs, equipment used, and concerns of mushers preparing for races. Surprisingly, some things have not changed in the last one hundred years. Although standards of dog care have improved continuously through research and experience gained in long distance races such as the Iditarod, Darling’s book demonstrates that the love the musher has for his or her dogs, the bond that is shared, and the training and thought that goes in to preparing for races is a constant.

Baldy of Nome is a good read for anyone who wants to understand more about the history of long distance dog racing and the atmosphere of Nome in the early 1900’s. The tale ends with a scene on the streets of Nome, where all the townspeople have gathered to see off the more than one hundred hand-picked dogs from Nome kennels. World War I called these dogs to duty in France. But that is a tale for another book.