Frigid Embrace explores how the drive to extract natural resources has shaped Alaskans' understanding of the environment and their relationships with the region's Native peoples. This insightful account of Alaska's colonial struggles offers readers a key to understanding the roots of current environmental controversies.
The book explores the paradox of Alaska's strong antistatist sentiment alongside its reliance on federal funding, which significantly supports its economy. It delves into the complex relationship between development and environmental regulation, addressing the tensions surrounding Alaska's sovereignty and the management of its wilderness. By examining the origins of the belief that Congress undermines state autonomy, it challenges the notion of an unbreakable statehood compact, revealing the intricate dynamics at play in this unique frontier state.