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Virtual Clearcut: Or, the Way Things Are in My Hometown
In the Bowron River valley of British Columbia, there is a logging clearcut so vast that astronauts can see it. Sixty kilometers to the northwest lies Prince George, a once-thriving city of 80,000 that has experienced an accelerating 40-year virtual clearcut that has slashed through the strata of its economic and social culture, wiping out its locally- owned businesses and industries, demoralizing its public institutions and its local politics, and creating a psychological quagmire of entertainment opportunities, consumer franchises, and dreams that won't come true. Prince George has lost its ability to control its destiny, and is losing its will to care. Author Brian Fawcett, who grew up in Prince George and has followed its steady decline, draws a troubling parallel between the shattered forests of Bowron and the gradual destruction of a town's confidence and quality of life, a wake-up call to the rest of the world. "Virtual Clearcut" is classic Fawcett: a blend of unconventional analysis, poignant vignettes, and biting humour. His concern is for the condition of good people and places hit hard by globalization, and how the globalists are harvesting so much more than mere profits from the hinterlands.
344 pages, Hardcover
First published March 4, 2003
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
October 26, 2012
I read this book because I, like author, am from Prince George, but I think its appeal can extend beyond the people of Northern British Columbia. Essentially, Fawcett is presenting a case study of the impact of unrestrained capitalism on a small community. I am sure its story is not that different from many other towns in North America, or, indeed, the world.
Through the end of the 20th century, Prince George was dominated by the timber industry. The problem, as Fawcett presents it, is threefold 1) the environmental impact of lost trees and soil erosion, 2) the economic problem of diminishing supply, and 3) the fact that the logging companies are exporting profits outside of Northern B.C. The net effect of these three factors is contributing to the steep decline of Prince George's economy, as evidenced by the high crime and unemployment rates, and the dillapidated downtown core.
I did enjoy this book. I gained some valuable insights into what has happened to my home town, and more information about forestry than I ever thought possible! Fawcett is at his best when he is telling the stories of people: usually friends and aquaintances of his who have, or still do, live in Prince George. He tells much of the story as seen through their eyes, which imbues a deep humanity to his book.
What I did not appreciate were the moments where he felt the need to get on his soapbox to make wild claims about the ubiquitous evil of capitalism, many of which were completely disconnected from any facts. A particularly pungent example was his lament that the litter around one of his favorite spots near the Salmon River was a result of the dominance of capitalism over the area. He would have done better by simply telling the story, rather than injecting these bizarre polemics.
Mercifully, these rants are few, and become non-existent as the book goes on. Ultimately, they do not distract from what I found to be a highly critical, yet heartfelt and sympathetic look at my hometown.
Through the end of the 20th century, Prince George was dominated by the timber industry. The problem, as Fawcett presents it, is threefold 1) the environmental impact of lost trees and soil erosion, 2) the economic problem of diminishing supply, and 3) the fact that the logging companies are exporting profits outside of Northern B.C. The net effect of these three factors is contributing to the steep decline of Prince George's economy, as evidenced by the high crime and unemployment rates, and the dillapidated downtown core.
I did enjoy this book. I gained some valuable insights into what has happened to my home town, and more information about forestry than I ever thought possible! Fawcett is at his best when he is telling the stories of people: usually friends and aquaintances of his who have, or still do, live in Prince George. He tells much of the story as seen through their eyes, which imbues a deep humanity to his book.
What I did not appreciate were the moments where he felt the need to get on his soapbox to make wild claims about the ubiquitous evil of capitalism, many of which were completely disconnected from any facts. A particularly pungent example was his lament that the litter around one of his favorite spots near the Salmon River was a result of the dominance of capitalism over the area. He would have done better by simply telling the story, rather than injecting these bizarre polemics.
Mercifully, these rants are few, and become non-existent as the book goes on. Ultimately, they do not distract from what I found to be a highly critical, yet heartfelt and sympathetic look at my hometown.
December 12, 2011
Introspective takes on: forestry, the reforestation of the Bowron clearcut, northern garbage dumping and bullet holing, business in Prince George (PG), history of PG, racial interaction in BC, the shallowness of ethnic labels in a "multicultural" world where our tastes are being formed by mass-media from cultural cores, Giscome, the river systems Alexander MacKenzie used to cross the continental divide east of PG. Written when Gordon Campbell had taken office from the 'small-time corrupt' NDP. 3.5
March 25, 2012
Still getting through it... I think this should be part of the welcome package when moving to Prince George. Of course, it's too critical for that, but the content is really relevant to understanding this city, even 10 years after it was written.
July 5, 2022
If you can get through the first 50 pages of self-aggrandizement, its a good read on PG and most of the issues he talks about still resonate.
March 17, 2014
The topic of this book was fantastic. I loved Fawcett's look into the forestry industry by speaking with the people that actually matter - the loggers. However, I would roll my eyes every time Fawcett gave his own misguided opinion on the way things are in his home town and the influence from "the man" - the monopolizing corporations.
The book was far more engaging when the colorful Prince George characters were giving their views than reading through Fawcett's monologues. If there would have been a better editor involved, this book could have been an excellent read. Still it was a very good book on a very controversial topic. Highly recommend to anyone, especially those living in PG.
The book was far more engaging when the colorful Prince George characters were giving their views than reading through Fawcett's monologues. If there would have been a better editor involved, this book could have been an excellent read. Still it was a very good book on a very controversial topic. Highly recommend to anyone, especially those living in PG.
June 18, 2011
One thing is for certain, Brian Fawcett thinks a lot of himself.
Nominally about the Bowron clearcut, the book is more of a look into the lives of his friends who have spent the last forty years in Prince George, BC.
Nominally about the Bowron clearcut, the book is more of a look into the lives of his friends who have spent the last forty years in Prince George, BC.
May 6, 2008
Another book by an amazing author.
February 18, 2012
Mandatory reading for everyone from PG.
January 15, 2013
A compelling writer, however his focus is blurred with a few too many irrelevant personal anecdotes.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews