My personal experiences with the Kazan River, which is what the book is about, are limited to the Kazan Falls; however, I have had the experience of capsizing on the river in early summer. I do not think I can begin to tell you how cold it is when you fall into that river.

I have known the author, Mr. Pelly, now for about 10 years, and get to see him every year when he has completed another of his trips down one of the many rivers which flow into Baker Lake.

The book, "Journey Into An Emerging Land", explores the natural and cultural history of the Kazan River. The story begins 7000 years ago when the last ice age ended and the ice retreated from what is now the Keewatin. Since then, a new landscape has formed; vegetation, birds and animals arrived, and both Inuit and Dene people came to live and hunt. These stages in the history of a Barren Lands' river are told by different scientists, each one of whom has travelled and studied the Kazan River. Much of the field work behind the book was done by Operation Raleigh which is an international expedition for youth. Never before has such a complete description of an Arctic river been published. Added to this are the thoughts, sketches and impressions of young people from all around the world who have paddled down the Kazan River. They visited Baker Lake for a week at the end of their trip, and built two playgrounds which the children of that community will be using for many years to come.

His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales, Prince Charles, wrote the foreword in which he explains the importance of this book...