Paperback, 128 pages
Published January 1, 2004
by Heritage Amazing Stories
3.5/5 stars
Hearing little tidbits over the years about The Mad Trapper had me grabbing this book, or rather rescuing it from a thrift shop when I saw it. The Mad Trapper tells the true story of Canada's largest manhunt, whether that title still stands I am not sure.
The manhunt itself is extraordinary. Hundreds of men tracking one person across 240 kilometres of frozen northern wilderness... in the middle of blizzard conditions... by dogsled. That means carrying all supplies not just for themselves but food for the dogs as well. I got the sense of how in tune the searchers were with their environment - reading the weather, knowing when storms were coming, following tracks in the snow. And then there is the added element of an airplane being brought in, which feels almost out of place alongside the dogsleds.
As for Albert Johnson himself, I had no sympathy for him, he was out for himself and showed no regard for human life. But I was genuinely impressed by his cunning. He outmaneuvered hundreds of men for seven weeks, I got the sense he had real experience and knowledge of the land. As for who he actually was, they have their suspicions, but without the forensic means available today, his true identity remains unconfirmed. And honestly that intrigues me more than it frustrates me. Some of history's mysteries stay a mystery.
The Mad Trapper is a story of community, danger and determination. It is about survival and tragedy, and it is a piece of Canadian history that deserves to be known. At just over 130 pages, it is a quick read. I recommend it to anyone curious about Canadian history and the incredible things people were capable of long before the modern world made everything somewhat easier.
This book was part of my 2026 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge, #17.
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