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Title: |
Will the Real Alberta Please Stand Up? |
Search Result:
| By (author): |
Geo Takach |
| ISBN10-13: |
0888645430 : 9780888645432 |
| Illustrations: |
b/w photos & maps |
| Format: |
Paperback |
| Size: |
228x152x25mm |
| Pages: |
456 |
| Weight: |
.650 Kg. |
| Published: |
University of Alberta Press - December 2010 |
| List Price: |
29.99 Pounds Sterling |
| Availability: |
In Stock
Qty Available: 20 |
| Subjects: |
History of other lands : Social & cultural anthropology, ethnography : Local history : Canada : Alberta |
| One little question propels both author and reader on a genre-bending quest to define the elusive essence of a Canadian province known for sturdy stereotypes of oil-spoiled, beef-eating, bible-thumping rednecks devoid of class or culture. Fascinated and frustrated by his Albertan home, Geo Takach uses any and every available means to find a simple answer to this incendiary question. Through a kaleidoscope of research, interviews and colourful observations, he showcases the complexity and contradictions of this perplexing place. Join Geo and an amazing cast of citizens and celebs (alive and dead) on a dizzying and often hilarious romp around a province grandly mythologized and misunderstood. Geo Takach is a prolific and consummate writer, instructor, speaker and filmmaker based in Wild Rose Country. He has suffered for his art and now he would like it to be your turn. |
| Awards / Prizes: |
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Independent Publisher Book Awards - Canada West, Best Regional Non-Fiction (Gold)
2011
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ForeWord Book of the Year Award - Finalist
2010
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CAA Export Alberta Award - Runner Up
2010
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| Reviews: |
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"But it is neither the form nor the ideas that make this book so refreshing; it is the tone. While Takach openly admits his mission is to attack the various stereotypes perpetrated about Alberta, his writing never veers far from its sunny, lighthearted quality - a quality that gains much from the abundance of personal interviews woven into the text...." - Tim Bowling, New Trail, Spring 2011
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"Energetic, eclectic, funny and unusually well researched." - Exporting Alberta Award Jury, 2011
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"In a relaxed easy style of writing, the author takes us through the history of the province, reveals its maverick roots, and wonders what has happend to us in recent years. When asking popel to five a simple word describing Alberta today, the range was impressive. There were the usual choices of beautiful, resilient, optimistic, and lucky. But we also are indefinable." - Alberta History, Spring 2011
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"Geo Takach discusses the existence of the Canadian redneck, who has much more in common with their American cousins than what many people think of when they think of an Albertan.... Will the Real Alberta Please Stand Up? Is an intriguing breakdown of culture wars in Canada." Library Bookwatch June, 2011
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"Unbeknownst to the rest of the world, Canada has rednecks. Will the Real Alberta Please Stand Up? discusses the clash of culture that resides in the Canadian province of Alberta. Geo Takach discusses the existence of the Canadian redneck, who have much more in common with their American cousins than what many people think of when they think of an Albertan. Analyzing these individuals and their place in Albertan society, their stance in politics, and the constant clash with those around them, Will the Real Alberta Please Stand Up? is an intriguing break down of culture wars in Canada." The Midwest Book Review July 11/2011
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"Takach counters the monolithic view of Alberta’s history and people as 'oil-baron bible cowboys,' by weaving a narrative more diverse than the geographical topography of Alberta.... Takach’s text asserts that, until now, the treatment of Alberta identity has not been as thorough as it could be, and investigating a topic through questions rather than statements reveals the unstable, dynamic nature of identity. The questions raised in Takach’s book will certainly spark dialogue and discussion.... Seasoned with wit, and peppered with good humour, Takach’s book Will the Real Alberta Please Stand Up? offers alternatives to the out moded frontier mythology that hinders both the nation and the province itself from viewing Alberta as a thriving contemporary landscape capable of accomplishing even greater things." - Carolyn Krahn, The Goose, Winter 2012
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"In addition to six thoughtful chapters, the book contains extensive supplementary material, including handsome illustrations, a thorough bibliography, and an index. Displaying detailed knowledge of both the good and the bad of Alberta and a critical eye on its image in the world today, Takach leaves little room for criticism.... This book has much to offer cultural geographers in terms of research approach and presentation. It is an exceptional synthesis of an array of facts, concepts, questions, and interviews, critically analyzed and drawn into a provocative overarching framework. Demonstrating the value of an informative and entertaining narrative, the author cleverly weaves humor throughout the text captions and descriptions, rendering explanations memorable.... Cultural geographers may find value in Will the Real Alberta Please Stand Up? as a text in applied research methods, as essential reading for studies in Canada, and as an example of high-caliber research." Sarah Wandersee, Journal of Cultural Geography 29.1 (2012).
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"Geo has written an extraordinary masterpiece where the words literally leap off of the pages, giving you a 360° perspective and more of Alberta!" -Lori-Ann Muenzer, Olympic cycling gold medalist, speaker and author
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"It hits the nail on the head about what people think Alberta is, and hits you on the head with what the Real Alberta is. It's funny, but it makes you think." -Bronco Buddy (Bud Edgar), Canada's first non-rodeo cowboy clown
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"While Takach certainly fills his books with enough statistics and interviews with politicians, artists and pundits, Will the Real Alberta Please Stand Up? is not purely a scholarly tome. There's a refreshing playfulness to it..." Eric Volmers, Calgary Herald, January 12, 2011 [Full article at http://tinyurl.com/4msdtkc]
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"The Quebec born author, who moved to Alberta as a teen, has long been fascinated with the mythologies unique to Wild Rose Country. In a quest both serious and silly, with Will the Real Alberta Please Stand Up? he makes observations, mines documents, and interviews both public figures (Preston Manning, Martha Kostuch) and private folk of all persuasions. The author makes no pretense to scholarly methodology and defies genres in presenting his findings to readers. But don't be fooled by the occasional interview with a dead princess or dinosaur-the book is well-researched and often thoughtful.... To appreciate this book, you need only an interest in the province-and a taste for bad puns." Fabiola Carletti, This Magazine, January-February 2011 [Full review at http://tinyurl.com/468zwvt]
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"If nothing else, Alberta is a province mired in contradiction. Some would argue that the province is filled with conservative rednecks, yet there is political tradition steeped in liberal ideology. Citizens champion an individualistic frontier spirit, but strong and fruitful community bonds thrive.... Now is the time for some honest reflection on the paradox that is Wild Rose Country, argues Takach, to root out self-perceptions born of stereotypes and get to the heart of the real Alberta experience. It seems that, for all of the attention Alberta has been getting of late, we may be the least understood province..." Geoff McMaster, Folio, January 14, 2011
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"Geo Takach, as crafty a wordsmith as you're likely to find, has a droll sense of humour married to a sharp-eyed ability to assemble anecdotes from all over creation to make a point. The point he makes in his meticulously researched Will the Real Alberta Please Stand Up? is that we are a fascinating people with more secrets and subtext than even those of us who live here might imagine. In assembling this irreverent, quasi-academic tome, Takach seems to have talked to everybody and read everything. The result is an almost mesmerizing exposition of Canada's most misunderstood province. And a good read to boot." -Fil Fraser, cultural Renaissance man
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