Refraction: An Arctic Memoir. This item is unavailable.Refraction: An Arctic Memoir

Refraction: An Artic Memoir recounts the experience of working in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, a remote Arctic outpost and home to the largest oilfield in North America. It's the story of one person's journey, told in a series of reflections on a time spent living in a frozen wasteland. Justifying the endeavor as a modern-day gold rush or a romantic odyssey could otherwise be viewed as another distorted image hovering above the horizon-another refraction.

Refraction provides an intimate insight into the power of Big Oil, the shadow of the cold war of the '80s, the dangers of working in an industrial environment, living with fellow laborers in an isolated work camp, and growing threats posed by climate change. It has been described as a cross between Heart of Darkness and Into the Wild.

Numerous writing awards for Refraction include first place in the San Francisco Writing Contest for adult non-fiction, first place in the International Chanticleer Book Awards for narrative non-fiction, and first place in the Pacific Northwest Writers Association's Literary Contest for narrative non-fiction. Additional accolades include a Nautilus Gold Award for travel memoir, a Silver Forward Reviews Award for ecology and environment, a Bronze Forward Reviews Award for adventure, sports and recreation, a Gold CIPA EVVY Award for narrative nonfiction, and a Silver CIPA EVVY Award for travel/outdoors. Excerpts have been recognized in the Monthly Muse, the Sunshot Prose Contest, and a chapter was nominated for a Pushcart Prize.

Bruce Rettig is an award-winning author of narrative non-fiction, essays, and short stories. In addition to managing his marketing and graphic design company, he has worked as a travel writer/photographer. Rettig's multi-award-winning debut book, Refraction: An Arctic Memoir, recounts his experience as a merchant marine in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, home to the Trans-Alaska Pipeline and the largest oilfield in North America.