Page and Lake Powell (Images of America) Paperback – May 12, 2014

The town of Page still bears witness to one of the last great engineering efforts to "tame" the West and provide resources for our nation's Westward expansion. Through photographs and well-researched narrative, the book chronicles the culture and contributions of indigenous residents, the early explorers and the early pioneers in a respectful manner. The main focus is on the building of Glen Canyon Dam and the development of the area as a permanent recreational and tourism center. While providing hydroelectric power, water storage for agriculture and flood control, the building of the dam created many controversies. The book does not shy away from reporting on these, but takes a neutral tone and respects all sides of the environmental, cultural and historical concerns this project created. As a part of the "Images of America" series, this book will be purchased mainly by locals and visitors to the area. However, I recommend it to history buffs and environmentalists as an excellent, short history that uses a well-documented project during the late 20th century pinnacle of the era of American Progress as a subject for important themes. It is a useful primer on the tremendous benefits as well as the complex societal changes, some good, some destructive, mainly well-intentioned but sometimes short-sighted, that this era created. Many important contemporary political and sociological issues are illustrated in the book, and the authors do a great job in presenting without too much editorial bias. As a native of Page, the primary author, Jane Ward, does, however, represent the resident's pride of achievement in creating and sustaining this hardscrabble town in one of the most barren and remote, but awe-inspiring and beautiful places in our country.

(Of course, I co-authored it, so I should!) Happy reading! And come visit us sometime!Jane E. WardPage, Arizona