NIAGARA FALLS FOR EVERYBODY

Barbara Lynch-johnt, Amherst Media (FEBRUARY), Softcover $19.95 (128pp), 978-1-68203-322-7

In her guidebook Niagara Falls for Everybody, photographer Barbara Lynchjohnt, a Niagara Falls native, brings an artist’s eye, heartfelt love, and contagious curiosity to her story of the iconic natural phenomenon.

Folding time back to the last ice age, she reveals how the falls were formed, and gives a glimpse of the lifestyle of the area’s earliest inhabitants. She then traces the history of the falls through devastating wars, the creation of peaceful national borders, and the rise of farming, trade, fishing, and especially tourism. It’s a history marked by clashes between industry and those who wanted to keep the area pristine; issues of ownership and rights to harness the power of the water; industrial pollution; poverty and crime on the American side; and the rise of tourism on the Canadian side that led to the area’s thriving.

Spiced with surprising, fun facts—such as that the first daredevil to go over the Falls in a barrel was a sixty-three-year-old schoolteacher, Annie Edson Taylor, in 1901—the guidebook features lush photographs and descriptions of things to do and places to see on both the American and Canadian sides, as well as practical information to make planning a visit easy. Lynch-johnt explains what you need to cross the Us-canada border, shares the best viewing sites, and reveals not-to-bemissed photo opportunities. She highlights restaurants, parks, The Haunted House of Wax, an adventurous Whitewater Walk, cruises, fireworks displays, the impressive Skylon Tower with its revolving dining room, and many more venues designed to appeal to all ages and interests.

With its mix of beauty, history, whimsy, and practical information, invitation and an indispensable guide to a magical, marvelous place. Niagara Falls for Everybody is both an enticing