dl EARLIER THIS fall | discussed R.D. Lawrence's The Natural History of Canada, commenting that while the book had received mixed reviews elsewhere, it stood alone as a comprehensive, large-format work on the natural aspects of this country. This is no longer the case. Happily there is now a choice available for readers interested in this subject area with the release of Tim Fitzharris’ and John Liv- ingston’s coffee table book, Canada, A Natural History. Normally the appearance of two similar books on the shelves at the same time would lead to a severe run on the Valium stocks of near- by pharmacies as rival publishers contemplated the abyss of halved market shaves but such should not be the case in this instance. MIKE STEELE book reviewer Lawrence’s The Natural History of Canada (Key Porter) and the Fitzharris/Livingston Canada, A Natural History (Viking Studio Books; 199 pp.; $50) each ap- proach our natural history from different angles. The former is the more factually complete title whiie the latter excels in highlighting the natural history of this part of the world. : Writing styles are also quite dif- ferent in these books, with that of Lawrence tending towards the in- structional and that of Livingston (Fitzharris supplied the images, Livingston the texi} being more poetic, emotional and expressive with a strong environmental! message. Thus the determination as to which of these two books is the better for any given reader is a matter of personal pers; ive. Ifa handy encyclopedia reference work is the goal, consider The Natural History of Canada. Should a handsome coffee table book fit the bill, go for Canada, A Natural History. if spending a combined total of $90 does not seem unreasonable, by ali means buy both; the enjoyment you'll derive from these two works will more than make up for the undy- ing enmity of the drug manufac-” turers. . set McClelland and Stewart's Douglas Gibson line of books has three guaranteed winners this season that are highly recom- mended to readers: W.O. Mit- chell’s Ladybug, Ladybug; Barry Broadfoot’s Next-Year Country and Peter Gzowski's The Private Voice. Ladybug, Ladybug (M&S; 276 pp.; $24.95 in hardcover) is the warm and witty tale of an elderly professor whose crusty defences crumble under the onslaught of a young girl and her cigar-chomp- ing, poo!l-hustling, would-be thes- pian mother. Dr. Kenneth Lyon, Mark Twain/Samuel Clemens authority and bereaved widower, makes a critical decision when he hires Nadya as a live-in housekeeper complete with five-year-old daughter Rosemary. Unknown to the literary scholar is that the duo, who will add an unexpected dimension to his life, are being stalked by a violent psychopath. It is an unqualified joy to watch as Mitchell unfolds this marvelous story with a style few Canadian writers achieve. The development of the relationship between the professor and his two house com- panions had me chuckling aloud more than once as did the seilf- deprecating humor of the central character. Barry Broadfoot’s unique ap- proach to Canadian history has justly earned him acclaim in the past with such bestsellers as Ten Lost Years, Six War Years and The Pioneer Years. His books are very human collections of brief ex- cerpts from the personal lives of ordinary Canadians that, not sur- prisingly, strike a responsive chord in all of us. His new work, the evocatively-named Next-Vear Country, is no exception. Subtitled. ‘Voices of Prairie People,’ Next-Year Country brims with factual tales of hardship, tragedy, success and failure as ex- perienced in Canada’s heartland, the Prairies. Hard work, perseverence and incurable optimism are the hallmarks of prairie dwellers, whose losses and defeats are dismissed in the wistful belief that ‘next year, things will improve.’ Hence the book's title. There is, however, a dark side to Next-Year Country, found in Broadfoot’s convincing, but no less contentious, personal conclu- sion that these are the final de- cades of the Prairies’ rural ex- istence, that a way of life integral to our national view of Cana- dianism is crumbling. In Broad- foot's opinion (expressed during a recent conversation with this reviewer), the viability of Canadian grain farming has never been anything more than a well- perpetuated myth. While Broadfoot denies it, Next-Year Country (M&S; 386 pp.; $24.95 in hardcover) may be as much a requiem as it is a chronicle of life on the Canadian Prairies. The Private Voice (M&S; 327 p.; $24.95 in hardcover) is a behind-the-scenes look at the in- ner workings of CBC Radio’s Mor- ningside program and its scruffy but charming host, Peter Gzowski. This intimate revelation of a Ca- nadian media star is a rare event and should be a tremendous AT COTTON AND BROOKSBANK For leasing information contact: Exclusive Leasing Agents ARIX REALTY CORPORATION (604) 687-0995 eye-opener for Morningside/ Gzowski fans from coast-to-coast. Gzowski bravely shares with the reader such personal details as marital breakdowns, professional insecurities and split-family paren- ting. He also provides, in an in- triguing journal format that inex- orably draws the reader, what amounts to a de facto autobiography. ee ~ Park & Tilford Centre. 39 - Wednesday, December 7, 1988 - North Shore News A cavalcade ef books by — Canadian authors Perhaps the strongest asset of The Private Voice is Gzowski's uncompromising honesty in laying bare the intimate facets of his life and his work. Nothing is held back, no matter how much at odds with his status as Canada’s top radio host some of those facets might be. His failures and short- comings, if anything, play a greater tole in The Private Voice than do his triumphs and achievements. Morningside listeners will also be intrigued by the fascinating in- sights into the politics and human dimension of this hugely suc- cessful radio program and will most assuredly gain a new understanding of the complexities of the show as well as the human toll exacted by the demanding format. North Shove Shoppers a qu SES ee Rkis teasgy 04 Once, the people of North Vancouver had to travel far and wide for shopping choice. No more! Now it's right at your doorstep at -* Win tickets for two | to England - the Meeiihe merchanis, *, “Garden ofEurepe” This very central centre is an oasis of convenience. PLUS $900. Canadian spending rnoney. Now doing business are Save-On-Foods and Drugs, j Win tickets for two to England, famous for its park- Woodwynn, Marlin Travel, Aiko Intergational, ® — like countryside, and beautiful formal gardens. The Save-On Cuts, Anthony-Eennett Insurance, ® prize is sponsored by Marlin Travel (retail value Park & Tilford Florist. & $1,950) and the participating stores contributed =, the spending money. “x, The grand-prize draw takes place January 7th, 1989. But you don't have to wait until then to win. You could be one of the winners in one of our & “Surprise Draws”. ce We're giving away gift certificates that can be re- ® deemed through contributing merchants. And when ail the stores and amenities are open, you'll have everything from a major supermarket to %, dry-cleaners, nifty gifts to home entertainment. % Plus great spots to grab a snack or take time outto ® dine. It will be a shoppers’ oasis. COMING SOON TO THE MALL NEAR YOU. Bageland Bakery & Bistro, Cineplex Odeon, # Drop off the entry form below at any Park & Tilford Goody's Cleaners, MillionHairz Styling Salon Ltd., @ —merchart, where additional ballots are available. Muffin Break, Park & Tilford Dental e.g Soenteratevery store, Centre, Silver's Smoke Shop, . every week — there's nO. > Universal Gifts, Whip’er Snap'ers (és limit on entries. at SS eos Kids Fashions, White Spot Pitt tt: es ts and Yogen Fruz. . i ae g oe, ee BE BER ey eng Bye BO age He" f@ Enter my name in the “Surprise Draw" to win ] ie a gift certificate. And please keep my name entered to win A Masi iece Resiored 22] the Grand Prize - tickets for two to England - the “Garden a e | of Europe”. Trip sponsored by Marlin Travel. r] When it’s time fora break, relax in our garden MAME - ] paradise! Built over 20 years ago, we've now re- gM snoness city | stored it to its original beauty. In keeping with the g a a season, the gardens are decked out with thousands © py POSTALCODE __TELEPHONE s of decorative lights and your favourite Christmas er PAARLEN eT | 2 scene. Don't miss it! We turn off the lights by 2 January 6th, 1989. CENTRE HOURS (Christmas Hours): Mon. to Sat.: 9:30 am - 9:00 pm. DRAW RULES The draw is open to all B.C. resi- dents, 19 years of age and over, except employees of Park & Tilford Centre, their families or agencies. Enter - in person, no purchase necessary. “Surprise Draws” will be held for gift certificates between November 20th, 1988 and January 6th, 1989. From ail eligible en- tries received between noon cn November 20th, 1988 and 9:00 pm January 6th, 1989, one entry will be drawn on January 7th, 1989 for 2 airline tickets to London, England, sponsored by Marlin Travel, plus $900. Cdn. spending money. You may enter by clipping the entry form in our newspaper ads or requesting entries from any of the Park & Tilford mer- chants. Drop your entries in any of the ballot boxes located in all participating stores at Park & Tilford Centre. The Grand Prize Winner is required to answer a time-limited, skill test- ing question and must agree to both name and photograph being used for promotional purposes. (30x 3+2-204+5= All prizes must be accepted as offered. No cash equivalents, no substitutes. fs THE ; SHOPPERS’ OASIS AT COTTON AND BROOKSBANK/NORTH VANCOUVER.