They terrify and fascinate us. They are moving closer to us as climate change, deforestation, and rural development diminish their habitats. Once considered rare, romantic creatures, bears are now as common in some places as raccoons. Some say we should leave them alone; others argue that responsible hunting will serve both bears and humans best. Weighing both sides of the argument, award-winning writer Jake MacDonald examines the history and behavior of the three species of bears in North America—grizzlies, black bears, and polar bears. Part memoir and part natural history, In Bear Country draws on the personal experiences of MacDonald and others, providing an absorbing story about the place bears occupy in our world and the place we occupy in theirs. As MacDonald skillfully weaves a compelling meditation on our continent’s largest predators, he delivers a profound and powerful message for all to consider as bear country quickly shrinks and our worlds collide.

The Prairie Provinces cover Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

For much of its 130-year history, the Bar U Ranch can claim to have been one of the most famous ranches in Canada. Its reputation is firmly based on the historical role that the ranch has played, its size and longevity, and its association with some of the remarkable people who have helped develop the cattle business and build the Canadian West. The long history of the ranch allows the evolution of the cattle business to be traced and can be seen in three distinct historical periods based on the eras of the individuals who owned and managed the ranch. These colourful figures, beginning with Fred Stimson, then George Lane, and finally Pat Burns, have left an indelible mark on the Bar U as well as Canadian ranching history. The Bar U and Canadian Ranching History is a fascinating story that integrates the history of ranching in Alberta with larger issues of ranch historiography in the American and Canadian West and contributes greatly to the overall understanding of ranching history.

A journal for the farm, the garden, and the fireside, devoted to improvement in agriculture, horticulture, and rural taste; to elevation in mental, moral, and social character, and the spread of useful knowledge and current news.