Over the Mountains: More Thoughts on Things That Matter

Julie Rekai Rickerd is a Toronto-based broadcaster and public-relations
consultant.

In this, his seventh book of commentaries, British Columbia-based author
Rafe Mair continues to express his no-holds-barred opinions on
everything from religion and terrorism to cats and dogs. Mair was a
practising lawyer for 15 years, a Cabinet minister in the B.C.
legislature for eight years, and one of the most popular and
controversial broadcast journalists in Western Canada.

Despite his many years of allegiance to the Social Credit party, Mair
considers his views left-centrist, a position his essays confirm. He
offers sage advice on the need to improve U.S.–Canada relations. He
broaches topics as diverse as Quebec separatism, his presentation to the
Kirby Commission on Mental Health regarding his personal experiences in
the mental health system, and his less than satisfactory testimony
before the Gomery Commission. He writes fearlessly about his personal
demons.

In a lighter vein, Mair writes lovingly about his dog Chauncey and
recounts some of his experiences abroad. Surprisingly, his extensive
travels did not include New York City until March 2006. As he tells it,
he was immediately addicted to “the city that never sleeps” and
looks forward to many return visits.

Mair writes as he thinks and feels—with passion. Agree with him or
not, his insatiable curiosity about the world around him captures the
reader’s imagination.