Fast into the Night: A Woman, Her Dogs, and Their Journey North on the Iditarod Trail

Written by Debbie Clarke Moderow

Narrated by Emily Durante

At age forty-seven, a mother of two, Debbie Moderow was not your average musher in the Iditarod, but that's where she found herself when, less than 200 miles from the finish line, her dogs decided they didn't want to run anymore. After all her preparation, after all the careful management of her team, and after their running so well for over a week, the huskies balked. But the sting of not completing the race after coming so far was nothing compared to the disappointment Moderow felt in having lost touch with her dogs.



Fast into the Night is the gripping story of Moderow's journeys along the Iditarod trail with her team of spunky huskies: Taiga and Su, Piney and Creek, Nacho and Zeppy, Juliet and the headstrong leader, Kanga. The first failed attempt crushed Moderow's confidence, but after reconnecting with her dogs she returned and ventured again to Nome, pushing through injuries, hallucinations, epic storms, flipped sleds, and clashing personalities, both human and canine. And she prevailed.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tantor Media, Inc
• Release date: Mar 7, 2017
• ISBN: 9781541470057

Reviews for Fast into the Night

[iambookish-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Brilliant memoir of an Iditarod racers gritty determination to finish this most grueling of sporting events. As someone who has an interest, but not much knowledge of the race this book has given me a much greater understanding of what it takes to be a musher on this arduous trail!
This book will appeal to anyone who appreciates great writing and outstanding storytelling.

[janarose1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Debbie and her dogs race in the Iditarod. After being unable to finish the first time, she takes a year off, for her husband to race. Debbie and her dogs come back strong the second time. I thought this was an interesting book, but it seemed to be missing something. Debbie’s struggles seemed easy to overcome, and I know that they weren’t. Overall, not a bad book, but not a great book either.

[froxgirl · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

As a woman, I'm particularly thrilled by sports that are competitive for all genders. The Iditarod was one of the first events I can remember where women have received equal respect for their ability. And I'm bowled over by this true story of Debbie Moderow, a musher who runs two of the arduous races under terrible conditions. Her background as a hardy outdoorswoman, even from girlhood, is fascinating. All of her family members - husband and two children - have also finished the Iditarod or other races.

And then there are the amazing dogs - each one an individual, each one playing their essential role in their placement in the sled dog pack. Sometimes they revel in running and sometimes they balk. Debbie shares her love of each and also her frustration when they can't tell her what's wrong. Their joy, their fears, and Debbie's, make for a fascinating saga. I wish there were more dog pictures, but that's a minor quibble. Anyone who doesn't love adventure will, at book's end.