Here are some authors and their notable works:
Alaska:
* James A. Michener: "Alaska" is a sprawling historical novel that covers the history of Alaska from its earliest inhabitants to the modern era.
* Jack London: "Call of the Wild" and "White Fang" are classic novels set in the Alaskan wilderness, exploring themes of survival and the relationship between humans and animals.
* John McPhee: "Coming into the Country" is a non-fiction work that offers a nuanced and insightful portrayal of life in Alaska.
* Jon Krakauer: "Into the Wild" is a non-fiction account of the life and death of Christopher McCandless, a young man who chose to live off the grid in Alaska.
* David Guterson: "Snow Falling on Cedars" is a fictional novel that explores the complex relationship between nature, culture, and justice in the Pacific Northwest.
* Sarah Palin: "Going Rogue" and "American by Heart" are memoirs that provide a glimpse into life in Alaska, particularly through the lens of politics and social issues.
American Southwest:
* Cormac McCarthy: "Blood Meridian" is a bleak and powerful novel set in the 19th-century American Southwest, depicting violence and frontier life.
* Larry McMurtry: "Lonesome Dove" is a sprawling epic that follows two former Texas Rangers on a cattle drive through the American Southwest.
* Annie Proulx: "The Shipping News" is a novel set in the fictional Newfoundland community of Quoin, but it deals with themes of isolation and resilience that resonate with the American Southwest.
* Toni Morrison: "Beloved" is a powerful novel set in the American South during Reconstruction, exploring the legacy of slavery and the impact of trauma.
* Louise Erdrich: "The Round House" is a contemporary novel set on a reservation in North Dakota, addressing themes of identity, history, and justice.
* Sherman Alexie: "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian" is a coming-of-age story set on a reservation in Washington state, exploring the challenges of poverty, racism, and cultural identity.
This is just a small sample of the many authors who have written about life in Alaska and the American Southwest. I encourage you to explore these authors and their works further to discover the diverse and compelling stories they have to offer.