In 1977 at the age of 23, Mary Albanese came to Alaska to be a teacher When she didn't get a job, she became a geologist, earning a masters degree from the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

She spent ten years in the wilds mapping the state at a time when much of Alaska was still unmapped. Her motto served her well: "If at first you don't succeed, try something that's harder."

Come hear her story, chronicled in her book "Midnight Sun, Arctic Moon: Mapping the Wild Heart of Alaska," Thursday, August 29, 2 to 3:30 p.m. at the Murie Auditorium. She will hold a book signing after the talk. 


Find out more about Albanese and her memoir here.