In the Time That Was

In the Time That Was by James Frederic Thorne invites listeners into a dazzling collection of Chilkat legends, translated and retold with the reverence of a traveler and the eye of an artist. Thorne frames these myths as Zachook the "Bear" speaking to Kitchakahaech the "Raven," preserving origin stories, heroic exploits, and spirit encounters born of Alaska’s mountains, glaciers, rivers, and campfires. Rich with the cadence of oral tradition, the tales carry the chill and wonder of the Northland while reflecting the translator’s long winter journeys by dog team, snowshoe, and canoe. Blending myths/legends with an artful sensibility, the audiobook captures both the narrative power and the cultural texture of Chilkat life—its kinship with nature, its moral lessons, and its ceremonial imagination—without spoiling the surprises of each story. Thorne’s voice honors the original speakers’ soft gutturals and halting throat notes, offering listeners a vivid ethnographic portrait as well as a literary experience. Perfect for fans of folklore, indigenous storytelling, cultural history, and audio art, this audiobook is a moving entry point into Alaska’s ancestral myths and the timeless landscapes that shaped them.