To Crack the World Open

Ward Serrill has written, directed, or produced over 90 short films and writing projects for progressive causes. His feature-length film, The Heart of the Game, shot over seven years, debuted at the Toronto Film Festival and was released nationally by Miramax Films. The film won high praise across the country from the likes of Jay Leno, Ebert and Roeper (“an Oscar level piece of work”), People Magazine, USA Today, O Magazine, Rolling Stone, and others. He was Executive Producer for Wild America, narrated by Sissy Spacek, and co-directed and produced Building One House, narrated by Robert Redford. Ward’s recent feature documentaries include: Song of the New Earth, on sound healer and scientist Tom Kenyon, Catching Fire, on Peter Scott, developer of a cook stove to save lives and forests in the developing world, and TreeStory about humanity’s relationship to trees. He wrote and directed Babies Behind Bars, for Soledad O‘Brien. He is currently working on his fourth feature: Dancing with the Dead: The Life and Times of Red Pine. He lives in Port Townsend, Washington, dances tango and plays harmonica.

"From cover to cover, [this] memoir is at times raw, soft, and downright heartbreaking. Against a backdrop of 1980s Alaska, it’s a wild adventure of self-discovery and coming of age, studded with the life and times of a man’s best friend." —The Port Townsend Leader"Serrill recounts his misadventures, accomplishments and revelations —in his career, family life and in forming relationships — with Woody in To Crack the World Open: Solitude, Alaska and a Dog Named Woody, a raw, first-person account of how he worked to heal from childhood trauma and find his identity." —Ketchikan Daily News"This well written, deeply personal account of one man's struggle to find his place in the world will find a place on the shelf alongside such Alaska classics as Jonathan Raban’s Passage to Juneau and Rockwell Kent’s Wilderness." —Lynn Schooler, author, photographer, outdoorsman, and Alaskan wilderness guide"In this lyrical coming-of-age story, uncertain if Ward Serrill learns more from wild Alaska or from his cosmic dog, Woody. Either way, an inspiring ride, and a welcome addition to the literature of the north." —Kim Heacox, author of The Only Kayak"A compelling and poetically written memoir about a young man running from corporate America and the impact of a neglectful and painful upbringing. Living alone with his wise and loyal dog in the remote wilds of Alaska, he contemplates, interrogates, and confronts the painful places within, and ultimately understands the transformative journey of his life." ―Anna Quinn, bestselling author of The Night Child