There’s plenty being written about Alberta

With the recent announcement of Jason Kenney as head of the new Alberta United Conservative Party, the province’s fascinating history continues to be written.

Delving into Alberta’s story reveals the ups and downs the province has experienced. Are there answers for those who wonder, “What’s the next big thing other than oil for this province?” New books about Alberta, available with your library card, highlight how Alberta continues to bloom in its own unique way, despite tumult, flood and fire.

Several titles deal with energy and environmental issues: “Winning Canada’s Energy Future” by Jim Prentice, which was completed shortly before his death in 2016, presents, according to the publisher’s review, “A new and forwardlooking vision for converting our nation’s vast resources into a secure, prosperous and environmentally responsible future that benefits all Canadians.”

“Notley Nation, How Alberta’s Political Upheaval Swept the Country” by Sydney Sharpe tells the story of Alberta’s orange wave election in 2015; and “God’s Province, Evangelical Christianity, Political Thought, and Conservatism in Alberta” by Clark Banack shows how the intentions of politicians shapes political culture. “Our Place, Changing the Nature of Alberta” by Kevin Van Tighem explores the landscapes and wildlife of Alberta; and “Tar Wars, Oil, Environment and Alberta’s Image” by George Francis Takach also talks about how energy, environment, economy, and politics intersect.

Authors have also written about the devastating Fort McMurray wildfire and the 2013 flood, including:

“Inside the Inferno, A Firefighter’s Story of the Brotherhood that Saved Fort McMurray” by Damian Asher; “Into the Fire, The Fight to Save Fort McMurray” by Jerron Hawley; and “The Great Kananaskis Flood” by Gillean Daffern.

Children’s books about Alberta for 2017 include: “As Big as the Sky, as Tall as the Trees, A Moving Journey Through the Heart and Land of Alberta” by Leah Yardley; “C is for Chinook, An Alberta Alphabet” by Dawn Sprung; and “Good Night Alberta” by Adam Gamble, for which the publisher’s note says, “This charming board book depicts the iconic spirit of Alberta.”

For those who saw the exhibit “From Pianos to Power Chords” at the Galt Museum, or if you didn’t get a chance to drop by the museum, it’s good to know that you can borrow the graphic novel, “From Pianos to Power Chords, a mini-comic about sounds in southern Alberta by Tyler J. Stewart.

For the sheer pleasure of browsing Alberta’s landscapes, there is “On the Road with Mike Drew, Collected Photographs and Stories from Central and Southern Alberta” by Mike Drew, which showcases the beautiful vistas of Alberta that Mike has captured since 1991. Drew has enjoyed a long career as a newspaper photographer, including a stint with the Lethbridge Herald in the late 1970s.