Ottawa and the National Capital Region

by Malak

Back in print! In this beautiful photographic panorama, Malak, one of Canada's best-known and top-ranking photographers, captures the essence of Ottawa-the charm of its historic buildings, the lovely stretches of its parks and open spaces, the vibrancy of its neighborhoods and festivals, and the serene beauty of Gatineau Park. With text by Jean Pigott, former Chairman of the National Capital Commission, Ottawa is a splendid photographic treasury of...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 155263681X
• ISBN13: 9781552636817
• Release Date: March 2005
• Publisher: Key Porter Books
• Length: 1 Pages

Customer Reviews

Canada's Capital City, Minus the Warts

I am reviewing the 1990 edition, though I believe the 2005 edition is simply an unchanged reprint. This is primarily a picture book of Ottawa, and is broken down into chapters on "Official Ottawa", "The Livable City", and "Festivals". There is very little text, though all of the pictures have full descriptions . . . in both official languages, of course! I lived in Ottawa for four years, and there are pictures here of nearly everything that truly impressed me about it. The author realized that Ottawa is a four-season city, and includes photos of events like skating on the Rideau Canal and Winterlude, as well as a produce-filled Byward Market. There are a few indoor shots as well, primarily of Parliament and the museums. Note that you won't see the new U.S. Embassy building in any background shots, since it didn't open until 1999, and the photos here are all pre-1990. What the book doesn't show is just how drab Ottawa can be. The Parliament Hill section is a true wonder, but as you drive down Elgin Street after newly arriving, you'll be amazed at how ordinary and run-down it looks. It's nothing like the ghettos of southeast D.C., but not what you'd expect in a capital city either. The book also doesn't devote enough attention to the outside of the Parliament Building. That is one of the most architecturally impressive and structures I've ever seen, and deserves a few more photos. However, the author does have another book, "The Parliament Buildings", which is devoted to the subject and does a good job. Quibbles aside, this is a very good book, and recommended to anyone who wants to bring back memories of their time in this charming city.