NEW! WHERE THE GREAT RIVER BENDS: A natural and human history of the Columbia at Wallula
Book $35.00. Keokee Books, 2009, 240 pages, softcover.

Edited by Bob J. Carson

Where the Great River Bends highlights Wallula Gap, a National Natural Landmark in south central Washington State where geography has defined history, marked by the narrowing of the mighty Columbia River halfway between the Rocky Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. Loaded with more than 200 black-and-white and color illustrations, the book covers everything about this area symbolized by a unique geologic feature, the Twin Sisters. Here the Ice Age floods rushed through, Native Americans lived, fur trappers traded and railroads thrived, making it an important historical and cultural landmark in the West’s awesome landscape.

Where the Great River Bends captures that extraordinary landscape with dozens of historic photographs and modern-day images contributed by seven photographers. Contributors include Robert Baker, John Clement, Paul Clement, Michael E. Denny, Catherine E. Dickson, Lawrence L. Dodd, G. Thomas Edwards, Kathryn Farrell Guizar, Dianne Kornberg and Donald Snow.

"This book tells the story from the extrusion of lava flows to the Ice Age Floods that were soon followed by the appearance of native tribes, then an influx of settlers looking for gold, furs or cheap land. It’s a fascinating story well-suited to anyone’s library." --Ewart Baldwin, Emeritus Professor of Geology, University of Oregon, and author of Geology of Oregon

"The authors have done an excellent job pulling together the natural history and human history of this fascinating area into a very readable book. Seldom do you have the ‘whole story’ in one place. This book will be valuable to the layperson, educators and the professional, and a welcome addition to any library." --Steve Reidel, research faculty and adjunct geology professor, Washington State University, Tri-Cities Campus

"This beautiful book captures a remarkable landscape--and the people and creatures shaped by it--with thoughtful narrative, magnificent photographs and an appreciation for its rich history. In these pages, begin your journey to the place where the Great River makes its final turn west." --Ken Olsen, journalist and author of Lasting Valor (with Vernon J. Baker)

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