Pierre Berton – Canada’s most widely read historian, author of forty-seven books, and recipient of three Governor General's awards – will make a guest appearance at this year’s Banff Mountain Book Festival. Berton will join authors Greg Child and Tim Cahill at the book festival’s opening event on Wednesday, October 30 at 8 p.m. in the Eric Harvie Theatre in Banff.

Berton will read a short passage from his book The Arctic Grail – a history of the golden age of Arctic exploration.

Greg Child’s presentation will focus on his book Over the Edge – the harrowing story of four young American climbers kidnapped at gunpoint from a rock wall in the mountains of Kyrgyzstan. Tim Cahill, one of the most perceptive – and funniest – travel writers working today, will share stories from his latest adventure travel book, Hold the Enlightenment: More Travel, Less Bliss.

The 2002 Banff Mountain Book Festival takes place October 30 to November 3 in Banff, Alberta. The festival is sponsored by Canadian Mountain Holidays. Other featured speakers at the 2002 festival include Lynn Hill, Yvon Chouinard, Karsten Heuer, Eric Simonson, Dermot Somers, Roger Hubank, Jerry Kobalenko, Kathryn Bridge, Greg Mortensen, Hal Espen, Linda Wylie, Larry Millman, and Lonnie Dupre.

The Banff Mountain Book Festival is the only festival of its kind in North America. In addition to speakers, it features readings, seminars, a book fair, book signings and launches, and an international competition. This year, 128 books from nine countries were entered into competition. The 2002 book awards will be announced on Thursday, October 31.

Festival tickets are available by phone: 1-800-413-8368 (North America) or
1-403-762-6301

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