Structure

Pilgrim's Wilderness is divided into three parts and eighteen chapters of varying length, plus a prologue and epilogue.

Part One: Pilgrim's Trail includes the first 10 chapters and sets up the backdrop and traces the Pilgrim family's arrival in McCarthy and the situations that pitted the Pilgrims against the Parks Service.

Part Two: The Farthest-Out Place consists of Chapters 11 through 14, covers the middle of the Pilgrims' time in McCarthy

Part Three: Out of the Wilderness traces the events that led to Papa's downfall.

Throughout the book, author Tom Kizzia weaves chapters describing the background and history of Papa Pilgrim and his family between chapters covering the recent events beginning with the family's arrival in McCarthy. He includes a great deal of history to help the reader understand the events that shaped McCarthy and the state of Alaska as well as the attitudes of Alaskans. The book also includes...