Canadian Rockies: Where Eagles Soar

Sandy Campbell is a reference librarian in the Science and Technology Library at the University of Alberta.

In this book, mountain guide and photographer Scott Rowed has assembled
some of his best photographs of the Rockies. The depictions of
landscapes, wildlife, wildflowers, and human activity demonstrate a
highly developed artistic sense on the part of the photographer.

The text that introduces each of the eight regions covered in the book
is interesting, informative, and balanced. The remainder of the text
consists of anecdotes intended to “show the lighter side of mountain
life.” One anecdote concerns a couple whose intimacies are disturbed
by a bear. Another involves a thief who attempts to trick a warden into
thinking he was returning firewood rather than stealing it. While these
incidents may be amusing to the people who live and work in the Rockies,
this book is likely to derive most of its sales from the international
visitor market. To some cultures, particularly those in which “saving
face” is important, the anecdotes may appear embarrassing rather than
funny.

Nevertheless, this is a beautiful book. Recommended for public
libraries.