• Age: 13
• Grade: 8

Campbell River is a modern city of 30,000 on the east coast of Vancouver Island that still retains an aura of the frontier, a result of its status as gateway to the wilder reaches of the upper BC coast. Although the community has roots in mining, fishing and logging, it has long been a recreational centre, famous for the size of its "Tyee" salmon.

Campbell River is three books in one: it blends the city's fascinating history, contemporary life and breathtaking scenery into one volume. The informative text by local writer Ian Douglas features the area's rich First Nations culture and key pioneers along with modern-day artists, business people and community leaders. We meet Charles Thulin, the "father of Campbell River," who came to the area in 1904 and built the town's first hotel and store; and writer, sport fisher and conservationist Roderick Haig-Brown, whose home has become a BC Heritage Site and literary landmark. We explore areas around the city including Mittlenatch Island, a seabird colony and nature reserve nicknamed the "Galapagos of the Gulf of Georgia" and majestic Strathcona Park, BC's oldest provincial park.

Quadra Island resident and author Ian Douglas interviewed dozens of locals to bring to life the community of Campbell River and the surrounding islands, and award-winning photographer Boomer Jerritt skilfully illustrates the story with breathtaking photographs of the people, places and wildlife that make this part of Vancouver Island unique. The result is a beautiful coffee-table book that celebrates the beauty of the region, and the people--past and present--that have made the area the special place it is today.

Boomer Jerritt is a photography instructor at North Island College and a contributing photographer at All Canada Photos and British Columbia Photos, a subsidiary of Getty Images. He is the recipient of the Freeman Patterson Award for photographic excellence. He lives in Comox, British Columbia.

Boomer Jerritt's profile page

Ian Douglas is the co-author of Exploring Quadra Island: Heritage Sites and Hiking Trails (with Jeanette Taylor), and has been published in Sail, Pacific Yachting, Cottage Magazine and West Coast Mariner. He lives in Heriot Bay, BC.

Ian Douglas' profile page

Campbell River: Gateway to the Inside Passage

This profusely illustrated book provides an interesting history and useful resources to the Campbell River region. The book highlights the many different areas of the Inside Passage, detailing not only the city of Campbell River, but also the islands and towns close by such as Quadra Island and Sayward. The origins of each area and the flavour and mindset of the different communities is documented. Information about the local First Nations is well researched. The accompanying photographs of the landscape show the true natural beauty of the Inside Passage. Local festivals, activities, artists and events are outlined.

Douglas is the co-author of Exploring Quadra Island: Heritage Sites and Hiking Trails. Jerritt’s photographs have appeared in The Comox Valley and in numerous magazines.