Haida Gwaii: The Queen Charlotte Islands. 2nd ed.

Patricia Morley is a professor of English and Canadian Studies at
Concordia University, an associate fellow of the Simone de Beauvoir
Institute, and author of Margaret Laurence: The Long Journey Home.

This meticulously researched guidebook to the islands that lie off the northwestern coast of British Columbia claims to be “the definitive outdoor guide to these glorious gems in the Pacific.” Few readers would disagree. The eight full-colour pages of wildlife, wildflowers, and various scenes are supplemented by scores of small black-and-white photographs. The handsome full-colour cover adds to the book’s attractiveness.

The authors are scrupulously thorough. One appendix lists eight pages of birds to be seen in Haida Gwaii, a second lists the archipelago’s land animals and amphibians, and a third, marine mammals and reptiles. The chapter “Visiting Haida Gwaii” covers overnighting on the islands (camping out or staying at bed-and-breakfast lodges or guest houses).

Horwood has always loved birds, mammals, and all things wild. He has published Birds of the Kitimat Valley (1992) and regularly writes a natural history column for his local newspaper. Parkin has also worked as a naturalist for Parks Canada and B.C. Parks.

Though Haida Gwaii is a superb handbook for travellers, it is first and foremost a celebration of the flora and fauna of the beautiful Queen Charlotte Islands.