The BC Fact Book

Ann Turner is the financial and budget manager of the University of
British Columbia Library.

In the author’s words, “This is a book that attempts to encapsulate
as much factual information about the province’s landscape, wildlife,
its peoples, their history, culture, and present economic and social
experience as is feasible in one easily used and read volume.” Despite
the somewhat dry-sounding title, the B.C. Fact Book is easy to read,
browser-friendly, and full of an extraordinary mixture of interesting
historical and contemporary information about Canada’s westernmost
province. Although it contains statistics, its narrative approach and
lack of an index make it more suitable for “big picture” background
gathering than for quick reference use. Arranged alphabetically by
topic, the handbook also contains a table of contents listing topic
headings for easy scanning; a sprinkling of black-and-white photographs;
a map of the province; and the official, municipally endorsed recipe for
Nanaimo Bars. Hypertext-like bolding of topic headings when they appear
in the narrative prompts the reader to follow up on related information.
This book is an appealing and approachable compendium for B.C. residents
and visitors alike.