Banff National Park

Kathy E. Zimon is a fine arts librarian (emerita) at the University of
Calgary. She is the author of Alberta Society of Artists: The First 70
Years and coeditor of Art Documentation Bulletin of the Art Libraries
Society of North America.

Banff National Park is primarily a souvenir picture book, part of a
series focusing on cities, provinces, sites, and regions with tourist
appeal from across Canada. A minimal text about the history of the park
precedes the stunning photographs that are the real substance of the
book. Every one of the pages consists of full-color photographs (many
double-page spreads) accompanied by brief captions that elaborate on the
subjects depicted.

Banff and the Rocky Mountains are inherently picturesque, but photo
editor Tanya Lloyd Kyi has undoubtedly selected photographs that more
than do justice to the incomparable views to be found within our premier
national park. The works of some 16 photographers, including a few shots
culled from commercial photo sources, have been carefully chosen to give
a representative sampling of what visitors to Banff National Park might
expect to see during the parade of seasons. Such well-known views like
the Banff Springs Hotel rising majestically from the forest, and the
same fairytale edifice glowing like a jewel in the winter night, are
interspersed with less-familiar, but even more breathtaking, panoramic
expanses of mountains, valleys, lakes, and icefields. The flora and
fauna of the park are not neglected: fireweed, daisies, Columbia lilies,
mountain goat, elk, grizzly, and cougar compete with pictures of the
glorious landscape they inhabit. There are also photos of activities
that visitors can pursue in the area, such as rafting, kayaking, trail
riding, fishing, skiing, mountain biking, camping, and golf.

The well-chosen photographs are complemented by the book’s excellent
production values. The striking cover photograph by Bob Herger (who is
credited with the lion’s share of the photographs) is enhanced by the
elegant square format; the embossed lettering of the title on the book
jacket; the thick, low-gloss paper; and the asymmetrical interior layout
by Jacqui Thomas. All told, this book is worthy of the subject it
extols, and the next best thing to actually being there.