Books by RDS Publications in Alaska
About The Author
Margaret F. Merritt, Ph.D. has been a biological researcher for 50 years. She attended the University of California, Utah State University, and earned a Ph.D. from the University of Alaska. After decades writing and publishing in the scientific literature, she has recently focused her research and writing on historical biographies. She has lived in Alaska since 1977.
“I like to bring forward stories of seemingly ordinary people who, like most of us, have flaws yet show remarkable characteristics that inspire us. I write to entertain, educate, and encourage the reader’s thoughtful reflection on past issues that remain relevant today.”
Current Books
Now available
Adventures of an Alaskan Woman Biologist
Discover the adventures of an Alaskan woman biologist as she relates experiences working across varied landscapes and water bodies, including caribou counts in the Northwest Arctic, king crab index fishing in Lower Cook Inlet, and Chinook salmon investigations on the mighty Yukon River. The book highlights information collected under sometimes harrowing conditions to ensure that conservation measures sustain fish and game for the community’s well-being. “It was not lost on me that people’s livelihoods or food supply depended on my ability to accomplish the job.” The book also discusses the obstacles she encountered and the problem-solving steps she used to address them. “Field research in Alaska is not for the faint of heart, for Alaska’s wilderness holds a deadly beauty.” For many assignments, she was the first woman to undertake the job, which “sometimes caused the men I worked with to react with resistance.” Her persistence to succeed was motivated by the allure of adventure, the intrigue of nature, and the splendor of Alaska’s pristine wilderness.
Roshier H. Creecy: A Black Man’s Search for Freedom and Prosperity in the Koyukuk Gold Fields of Alaska
The story of Roshier H. Creecy is a portal into a reformative and rapidly changing era in America’s history. Born in 1866, he was among the first generation of African Americans who were free to migrate. The societal obstacles Roshier encountered one hundred years ago, and his strategies to circumvent them, are still present for men of color today. Escaping southern culture intent on retaining a racial hierarchy, Roshier joined the U.S. Army’s Ninth Cavalry, known as the “Buffalo Soldiers.” Following discharge, Roshier married in Washington, D.C. and had a son but chafed at the indignities of daily life under “Jim Crow.” He joined the Klondike Gold Rush of 1898 and became the owner of a roadhouse at which the North-West Mounted Police billeted. In 1906, he mushed his dog team to Alaska, bound for the Koyukuk gold fields where he remained the rest of his life. Roshier’s wanderings were prompted by the search for freedom and prosperity, but his journey led him to discover personal growth and a sense of belonging in a wondrous wilderness hinting at gold.
Joseph Strunka: A Česká Chicago Man’s
Tale of Resilience
The story of Joseph Strunka is a window into the Czech immigrant enclaves of Chicago during the first half of the 1900s. Born in 1910, he grew up in a poor family beset by tragedies. As a child, Joe became independent, finding solace in his work selling newspapers, delivering milk, and peddling coal. He came of age during Al Capone’s gangster era when the criminal culture of the streets was a powerful influence. Nudged into a union with Rose Mary Fojtik at age 21, the couple struggled with contrasts in their upbringing and focus. In 1932, the Great Depression gripped Chicago neighborhoods hard, “It was really tough. There was no money.” Joe proved resilient to decades of hardship and grief until a cascade of stressful events crippled his health. Even then, he persevered to find good fortune and an ideology with which he formed a lasting bond. As an ironworker-welder during World War II, Joe’s labor provides a glimpse into essential roles that civilians played in the war effort and the personal toll this work took on their families. Late in life, Joe fulfilled a long-held dream and found conditioned happiness that he summed up as “A pretty fair life.”
Reviews
“This story needs to be told. The book is an engaging and well-written account of a biologist’s explorations across Alaska’s varied landscapes as she investigates wild animal populations and the rich connections with people who depend upon them. The author captures the beauty and danger of Alaska’s natural world in her writing. As the first woman biologist to tackle many assignments, her perseverance is inspirational. Three thumbs up!”
Cathy Lair Klinesteker, Executive Director Emeritus, Sacramento River Discovery Center
“This book is fantastic! I really enjoyed reading it. The book is easy to read and informative.”
Marlin Collins, Fairbanks Retired Teachers Association, Fairbanks, Alaska
“I read this book in five days and loved it! What a great story of achievements, overcoming trials as an early woman biologist, and beautiful descriptions of Alaskan scenery. . . I really appreciated the author’s empathy and willingness to connect with the native people.”
Vicki Bohlig, Hamilton, Montana
“I wanted to tell you of my pleasure reading your account of a career spent in Alaska. You met with resistance many times and survived dangerous events….Your work helped native people, sportsmen, and the commercial industry.”
Gary Skidmore, Richland, Michigan
“A compelling account…the work provides a window to the life in the Koyukuk mining community, the men, the politics, the work and the lore that chronicles their time in the country.”
W. Schneider, Professor Emeritus Alaska and Polar Regions, Rasmuson Library University of Alaska Fairbanks
“I’ve finished reading your book on Creecy and am completely enthralled by his story! …I’m so thrilled about this book and the marvelous history you’ve brought to light after it was tucked away in a box for so many years. I most appreciate the way you put Creecy’s story into context with the little grey boxes. Your telling of events increased my understanding of an era I knew little about. Thanks again!”
Angela Schmidt, film archivist Alaska and Polar Regions Collections & Archives, Rasmuson Library University of Alaska Fairbanks
“I finished your book this weekend, it was a very good read…I think the way it was written it is readable by many age levels, and your gray box explanations within each chapter would help readers understand issues and historical facts that they otherwise might have questions about.”
Doreen Cooper, Historical Archaeologist (retired) Skagway, Alaska
“The historic details in this book brought to life the story of Roshier Creecy and I found myself captivated by his adventures in the Gold Rush era of Alaska.”
Elise Israel Asheville, North Carolina
“This book describes the unique life one of the first black gold miners in Alaska in a poignant and historically informative story. In addition to being an interesting life story, there’s tons of information in here for anyone interested in Alaskan (and American) history, and it’s meticulously well referenced!”
Laura Lund Fairbanks, Alaska
“I must say-a talented screen writer and competent movie director could make a major motion picture about Creecy. No kidding. He was quite a unique individual.”
Tom Bundtzen, President, Alaska Mining Hall of Fame Foundation
“This story of an early, hard-toiling immigrant…is compelling and entertaining reading, a credit to the author!”
Helen Vik, Czech Alaska Society, Anchorage
“Adds perspective and broadens our understanding of Czech immigrant life in the first half of the 20th Century.”
Louise Svehla, Czech and Slovak American Genealogy Society of Illinois
“I’m really enjoying the story – the kinds of work he did is interesting.”
Bob Schenck, Treasurer, Millburn Freemason Lodge, Illinois
Where to Purchase
Hard Cover ISBN 978-0-9828392-7-0 $30.00
Libraries and booksellers can order wholesale through Ingram Spark
907 Yukon Drive Fairbanks, Alaska 99775 (907) 474-7505
551 2nd Avenue Fairbanks, Alaska 99701 (907) 452-6461
406 Cushman Fairbanks, Alaska 99701 (907) 456-1933
2300 Airport Way Fairbanks, Alaska (907) 456-6485
Hard Cover ISBN 978-0-9828392-2-5 $30.00
Libraries and booksellers can order wholesale through Ingram Spark
907 Yukon Drive Fairbanks, Alaska 99775 (907) 474-7505
alaska-geographic.mybigcommerce.com
101 Dunkel St.
Fairbanks, Alaska 99701
(907) 459-3711
3578 Airport Way
Fairbanks, Alaska 99709
(907) 456-8369
551 2nd Avenue
Fairbanks, Alaska 99701
(907) 452-6461
2300 Airport Way
Fairbanks, Alaska 99701
(907) 456-6485
203 Main St.
Whitehorse, Canada YT Y1A2
(867) 668-2434
2300 Airport Way
Fairbanks, Alaska 99701
(907) 456-8579
406 Cushman
Fairbanks, Alaska 99701
(907) 456-1933
Hard Cover ISBN 978-0-9828392-5-6 $30.00
Libraries and booksellers can order wholesale through Ingram Spark
The Bear Gallery & Gift Shop, Fairbanks Art Association, Pioneer Park, Fairbanks, AK
2300 Airport Way Fairbanks, AK 99701
(907) 456-6485
1400 Inspiration Place SW
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52404
(319) 362-8500
News & Events
The February 10, 2020, program of the College Rotary Club in Fairbanks, Alaska included a presentation about the book, Roshier H. Creecy A Black Man’s Search for Freedom and Prosperity in the Koyukuk Gold Fields of Alaska by Margaret Merritt. The College Rotary Club meets Mondays at noon at 604 Barnette Street in Fairbanks. Check https://collegerotary.org for a list of upcoming speakers.
Tanana-Yukon Historical Society
The Tanana-Yukon Historical Society presented the 4th program of the 2019-2020 Season Wednesday, February 19, 2020, 7 p.m. Pioneer Hall at Pioneer Park on the book, Roshier H. Creecy A Black Man’s Search for Freedom and Prosperity in the Koyukuk Gold Fields of Alaska presented by Peggy Merritt. The society meets on the third Wednesday of the month, check for location.
The February 25, 2020, Program was Roshier H. Creecy A Black Man’s Search for Freedom and Prosperity in the Koyukuk Gold Fields of Alaska presented by Peggy Merritt. The Fairbanks Genealogical Society meets on the fourth Tuesday of every month, check updates at www.fairbanksgenealogical society.com.
Fairbanks Retired Teachers Association
The November 12, 2020, ZOOM program of the Fairbanks Retired Teachers Association was about the book, Roshier H. Creecy A Black Man’s Search for Freedom and Prosperity in the Koyukuk Gold Fields of Alaska by Peggy Merritt. One participant in the FRTA program was a teacher of Alaska Studies at West Valley High School in Fairbanks, Alaska, who arranged for the author to give a ZOOM presentation on her book to 18 students on December 4, 2020. The students asked such questions such as, “How did you get the idea to write about a person during the Gold Rush era?” and “How did you conduct your research for the book?”
On July 17, 2020, Roshier H. Creecy was inducted into the Alaska Mining Hall of Fame Foundation (AMHF), joining a variety of mining pioneers that have played important roles in the development of Alaska’s mineral industry. Dr. Margaret Merritt gave a presentation on her book, Roshier H. Creecy A Black Man’s Search for Freedom and Prosperity in the Koyukuk Gold Fields of Alaska to about 50 people who attended the event.
KFAR Radio 97.5 FM Fairbanks
The February 10, 2021 program about Alaska history on KFAR radio hosted by Nick Nugent and David Pruhs was a presentation of the book, Roshier H. Creecy A Black Man’s Search for Freedom and Prosperity in the Koyukuk Gold Fields of Alaska by guest Peggy Merritt. The presentation was followed by questions from listeners.
The October 26, 2021, ZOOM Program of the Fairbanks Genealogical Society was Joseph Strunka: A Česká Chicago Man’s Tale of Resilience presented by Peggy Merritt. The Fairbanks Genealogical Society meets on the fourth Tuesday of every month, check updates at www.fairbanksgenealogical society.com.
Fairbanks Retired Teachers Association
The October 2021 ZOOM program of the Fairbanks Retired Teachers Association was about the book, Joseph Strunka: A Česká Chicago Man’s Tale of Resilience presented by Peggy Merritt. During the 2022-2023 the association is meeting on the first Wednesday of each month. Check https://akfrta.weebly.com for more information.
The January 8, 2022, Literary Reading at the Fairbanks Arts Association was by Margaret Merritt, who presented a Power Point slide show of her two books, Roshier H. Creecy A Black Man’s Search for Freedom and Prosperity in the Koyukuk Gold Fields of Alaska and Joseph Strunka: A Česká Chicago Man’s Tale of Resilience.
Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association Tradeshow
On September 18-19, 2022, Peggy Merritt attended the PNBA Tradeshow at the beautiful Hotel Murano in Tacoma, Washington courtesy of a guest pass from Cypress House. In the Exhibit Hall, Peggy visited vendor tables and met booksellers, publishers, and authors. “I gained a better understanding of the inner workings of the book trade and met the nicest authors who were so encouraging!”
The Grand Re-Opening of the Alaska Mining Hall of Fame Foundation and Museum in their new location at 406 Cushman St. occurred in October of 2022. To kick off their Wednesday evening lecture series, Peggy Merritt gave a presentation of her book, Roshier H. Creecy A Black Man’s Search for Freedom and Prosperity in the Koyukuk Gold Fields of Alaska to ten hardy individuals who braved -20F on a snowy night in Fairbanks, Alaska. Following the 1-hour Power-Point presentation, the author lingered with the audience another hour as they asked questions, recounted mining folklore, and told tales of their own mining adventures.
On May 31, 2023, at 7 p.m. Peggy Merritt gave a 45-minute presentation of her book, Adventures of an Alaskan Woman Biologist, at the Alaska Mining Hall of Fame Foundation and Museum, 406 Cushman St. in Fairbanks, Alaska. The talk was part of their Wednesday evening lecture series and entry was free. The presentation related the adventures of investigating salmon, moose, caribou, and king crab across Alaska. People in the audience asked questions, for example, about salmon production using egg boxes.
On June 14, 2023, at 7 p.m. Peggy Merritt gave a 45-minute presentation of her book, Roshier H. Creecy A Black Man’s Search for Freedom and Prosperity in the Koyukuk Gold Fields of Alaska, at the Alaska Mining Hall of Fame Foundation and Museum, 406 Cushman St. in Fairbanks, Alaska. The talk was part of their Wednesday evening lecture series. People in the audience asked some good questions, for example, about winter drift mining.
On July 12, 2023, Peggy Merritt coordinated with the Alaska Lands Public Information Center to give a presentation on her book, Roshier H. Creecy A Black Man’s Search for Freedom and Prosperity in the Koyukuk Gold Fields of Alaska for the Golden Days Celebration at the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitor Center in Fairbanks, Alaska.
On July 19, 2023, at 7 p.m., Peggy Merritt gave a presentation on her book, Adventures of an Alaskan Woman Biologist, in the Fairbanks Arts Association’s Bear Gallery at 2300 Airport Way, Fairbanks, Alaska. The talk was part of their Literary Reading series.
On August 18, 2023, Peggy Merritt did a book signing at the University of Alaska Museum of the North, at 907 Yukon Drive, Fairbanks. https://www.facebook.com/events/949173702974533/?acontext=%7B%22event_action_history%22%3A[]%7D
On September 14, 2023, Peggy Merritt gave a presentation on her book, Adventures of an Alaskan Woman Biologist in Red Bluff, California, hosted by the Sacramento River Discovery Center. Both children and adults enjoyed the snacks and drinks offered by the hosts, while listening to stories about Alaskan animals and adventures. There were good questions and comments afterwards.
On September 18, 2023, Peggy Merritt gave a ZOOM presentation on several salmon research projects highlighted in her book, Adventures of an Alaskan Woman Biologist, to fishery biologists with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service stationed in Red Bluff, California. The biologists conducting research on chinook salmon in the Sacramento River were keen to compare and contrast research discussed in the book on salmon early life history, migration timing, and stock identification with their own research. It was a fruitful meeting!
On September 28, 2023, Peggy Merritt gave a talk to graduate students in the Department of Biology and Wildlife at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks on several fish and wildlife research projects highlighted in her book, Adventures of an Alaskan Woman Biologist. The lecture covered various research methods used to count, describe and monitor species, as well as the challenges of conducting field work.
On October 12, 2023, from 6 to 8 p.m., Peggy Merritt spoke to a group of students and faculty in the College of Forestry and Conservation at the University of Montana, Missoula, about her experiences as a biologist, as highlighted in her book, Adventures of an Alaskan Woman Biologist. Following the presentation, there was a pizza meet and greet, where students asked questions, related their interests, and sought advice about a career in fish and wildlife. It was a wonderful evening!
On October 13, 2023, at 6 p.m., Peggy Merritt gave a talk about her book, Adventures of an Alaskan Woman Biologist, at the Chapter One Book Store in Hamilton, Montana. The bookstore owners were great to work with, and their patrons asked insightful questions following the presentation. Another good evening in the Bitterroot valley!
On November 4, 2023, from 1 to 2 p.m. Peggy Merritt presented slide shows on her two books, Roshier H. Creecy A Black Man’s Search for Freedom and Prosperity in the Koyukuk Gold Fields of Alaska, and Adventures of an Alaskan Woman Biologist, with a Meet & Greet and book signing at the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitors Center in Fairbanks, Alaska. It was a small but enthusiastic crowd, and we enjoyed chatting about the history associated with books.
On November 13, 2023, at 4 p.m., Peggy Merritt gave a ZOOM talk about her book, Roshier H. Creecy A Black Man’s Search for Freedom and Prosperity in the Koyukuk Gold Fields of Alaska, to members of the Aging At Home group in Fairbanks, Alaska. The group liked the presentation and invited Peggy to give another talk in the Spring of 2024.
On January 18, 2024, Peggy Merritt met with graduate students and then at 4:00 p.m. gave a presentation on her book, Adventures of an Alaskan Woman Biologist to students and faculty as an invited seminar speaker of the Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology at the University of California, Riverside. Drs. Daniel Moen and David Reznick were kind hosts. On January 19, Peggy enjoyed meeting with individual faculty of the department, then in the afternoon gave a presentation on her Adventures book to a wonderful student organization, Strategies for Ecology Education, Diversity, and Sustainability (SEEDS).
On January 25, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. Peggy Merritt gave a presentation on her book, Adventures of an Alaskan Woman Biologist to a joint meeting of student members of the American Fisheries Society, the Wildlife Society and Strategies for Ecology Education, Diversity, and Sustainability (SEEDS) at the University of California, Davis. After the hour-long presentation, students remained for another hour and a half to ask questions – it was an interesting and engaging discussion!
Fairbanks Retired Teachers Association
On February 14, 2024, at 11:15 am Peggy Merritt gave a presentation on her book, Adventures of an Alaskan Woman Biologist to the Fairbanks Retired Teachers Association. The event was well attended, and the teachers were interested in learning more about how biologists study animals in Alaska.
On March 4, 2024, at 4 p.m., Peggy Merritt gave a ZOOM talk about her book, Adventures of an Alaskan Woman Biologist, to members of the Aging At Home group in Fairbanks, Alaska. The group organizer thought the talk was “wonderful” and well-organized.
On April 29, 2024, at 10:00 a.m., Peggy Merritt gave a talk from her book, Adventures of an Alaskan Woman Biologist, to a class of Dr. Shermin de Silva’s students in the Department of Ecology, Behavior, and Evolution at the University of California at San Diego. The students were very interested in learning how to prepare for work in the wilderness, and how to apply for jobs as a field biologist. I really enjoyed getting to know Dr. de Silva and her students!
On July 16, 2024, at noon, Peggy Merritt again coordinated with the Alaska Public Lands Information Center, National Park Service, to give a presentation on her book, Roshier H. Creecy A Black Man’s Search for Freedom and Prosperity in the Koyukuk Gold Fields of Alaska for the Golden Days Celebration at the Morris Thompson Cultural and Visitor Center in Fairbanks, Alaska. Both out of town tourists and local Fairbanks residents said they enjoyed the presentation and asked for signed copies of their books. It was a great crowd!