About the book
Into the Wild meets Helter Skelter in this riveting true story of a modern-day homesteading family in the deepest reaches of the Alaskan wilderness—and of the chilling secrets of its maniacal, spellbinding patriarch.
When Papa Pilgrim, his wife, and their fifteen children appeared in the Alaska frontier outpost of McCarthy, their new neighbors saw them as a shining example of the homespun Christian ideal. But behind the family's proud piety and beautiful old-timey music lay Pilgrim's dark past: his strange connection to the Kennedy assassination and a trail of chaos and anguish that followed him from Dallas and New Mexico. Pilgrim soon sparked a tense confrontation with the National Park Service fiercely dividing the community over where a citizen’s rights end and the government’s power begins. As the battle grew more intense, the turmoil in his brood made it increasingly difficult to tell whether his children were messianic followers or hostages in desperate need of rescue.
In this powerful piece of Americana, written with uncommon grace and high drama, veteran Alaska journalist, Tom Kizzia uses his unparalleled access to capture an era-defining clash between environmentalists and pioneers ignited by a mesmerizing sociopath who held a town and a family captive.
Editions of Pilgrim's Wilderness
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780307587824
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780307587831
- EBook
- ISBN 9780307587848
- AudioStreaming
- ISBN 9780385393652
- AudioStreaming
- ISBN 9780385393676
- AudioDisc
- ISBN 9780385393669
- AudioDisc
- ISBN 9780385393645
Read an Excerpt
Into the Wild meets Helter Skelter in this riveting true story of a modern-day homesteading family in the deepest reaches of the Alaskan wilderness—and of the chilling secrets of its maniacal, spellbinding patriarch.
When Papa Pilgrim, his wife, and their fifteen children appeared in the Alaska frontier outpost of McCarthy, their new neighbors saw them as a shining example of the homespun Christian ideal. But behind the family's proud piety and beautiful old-timey music lay Pilgrim's dark past: his strange connection to the Kennedy assassination and a trail of chaos and anguish that followed him from Dallas and New Mexico. Pilgrim soon sparked a tense confrontation with the National Park Service fiercely dividing the community over where a citizen’s rights end and the government’s power begins. As the battle grew more intense, the turmoil in his brood made it increasingly difficult to tell whether his children were messianic followers or hostages in desperate need of rescue.
In this powerful piece of Americana, written with uncommon grace and high drama, veteran Alaska journalist, Tom Kizzia uses his unparalleled access to capture an era-defining clash between environmentalists and pioneers ignited by a mesmerizing sociopath who held a town and a family captive.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Pilgrim's Wilderness about?
Into the Wild meets Helter Skelter in this riveting true story of a modern-day homesteading family in the deepest reaches of the Alaskan wilderness—and of the chilling secrets of its maniacal, spellbinding patriarch.
When Papa Pilgrim, his wife, and their fifteen children appeared in the Alaska frontier outpost of McCarthy, their new neighbors saw them as a shining example of the homespun Christian ideal. But behind the family's proud piety and beautiful old-timey music lay Pilgrim's dark past: his strange connection to the Kennedy assassination and a trail of chaos and anguish that followed him from Dallas and New Mexico. Pilgrim soon sparked a tense confrontation with the National Park Service fiercely dividing the community over where a citizen’s rights end and the government’s power begins. As the battle grew more intense, the turmoil in his brood made it increasingly difficult to tell whether his children were messianic followers or hostages in desperate need of rescue.
In this powerful piece of Americana, written with uncommon grace and high drama, veteran Alaska journalist, Tom Kizzia uses his unparalleled access to capture an era-defining clash between environmentalists and pioneers ignited by a mesmerizing sociopath who held a town and a family captive.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Pilgrim's Wilderness?
Biography, Literature and Literary studies > Biography and non-fiction prose > True stories / true accounts of events > True crime
Where can I read a sample of Pilgrim's Wilderness?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780307587824
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Pilgrim's Wilderness?
Tom Kizzia
Who is the Publisher of the book Pilgrim's Wilderness?
Crown
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Pilgrim's Wilderness is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780307587824) and paperback(ISBN 9780307587831) and ebook(ISBN 9780307587848) and audiostreaming(ISBN 9780385393652) and audiostreaming(ISBN 9780385393676) and audiodisc(ISBN 9780385393669) and audiodisc(ISBN 9780385393645)
Where can I buy Pilgrim's Wilderness online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Pilgrim's Wilderness from below
Where can I buy Pilgrim's Wilderness?