This beautiful hardcover is tight, square, and unmarked. Dust cover is unmarked, blue boards, and bright gilt lettering on the spine of the book. Switchbacks: True Stories from the Canadian Rockies by Sid Marty, published in 1999, is a collection of personal essays and stories that reflect Marty’s experiences as a park warden in the Canadian Rockies. Sid Marty is known for his nature writing, blending vivid descriptions of the wilderness with reflections on human interactions with nature and the challenges of working in such rugged environments. The book covers themes such as environmental conservation, the tension between tourism and preserving natural landscapes, and the rugged beauty of the Rockies. Through his work, Marty encounters bears, climbers in peril, and unpredictable weather, and he describes how the landscape shapes the people who work and live in the area. His storytelling brings attention to the delicate balance of nature and the responsibilities of those tasked with protecting it.