358 pages
Random House Canada
Reviewed by Christine Hearn

It sounds far-fetched, like something out of a John le Carré novel, but former Globe and Mail reporter Andrew Mitrovica's Covert Entry: Spies, Lies and Crimes Inside Canada's Secret Service, is likely to be all too true. For those who remember the RCMP Security Service spying on university students, most particularly at SFU, and committing "dirty tricks" in Quebec, the book shows that very little has changed since the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) was set up as an independent spy agency.

The subject is SFU criminology grad John Farrell (BGS'94, PBD'95). The book chronicles his work as a division intelligence officer for Canada Post and then for CSIS, although he was still listed as a Canada Post employee. Farrell spent his days and nights spying on postal union leaders, stealing their garbage, obtaining copies of their phone bills, breaking into cars - all while completing his degree and a post-baccalaureate diploma, also in criminology, by distance education. He says he used to drive around Toronto listening to his course tapes while conducting his covert activities.

Farrell, now a teacher in Toronto and raising money to build a school in Haiti, says he decided to go public after the events of 9/11. So far, being a whistle-blower has had little effect, but Farrell is talking with more than one film producer. www.randomhouse.ca

Siren Song of the Ocean
The Pacific coast, from Alaska to northern California, is home to staggering numbers of species of fish, marine birds, marine mammals, and invertebrates. In The Jade Coast adjunct biology professor Rob Butler (BSc '76, MSc '80) tells about the ecology of the area and takes us on a journey through rocks and coves, and fiords and channels. The book is illustrated with 40 stunning photographs. www.keyporter.com

Human Relations Rock
Former Vancouver Sun rock critic Fiona McQuarrie (BBA'87, MBA'89) is now a professor of human resources and organization studies at University College of the Fraser Valley. Her new textbook, Industrial Relations in Canada, can be found at www.wiley.com.

Lost World
Writing program instructor Constance Brissenden and Cree writer Larry Loyie are authors of a new children's book. As Long as the Rivers Flow is based on Loyie's memories of his traditional Cree childhood in the forests of Slave Lake, Alberta. It ends with Loyie, aged 10, and his siblings deported in a truck to a residential school. www.groundwoodbooks.com

On the Nature Trail
Biologist and artist Alison Watt (BSc'81) writes about Triangle Island off the north end of Vancouver Island, breeding place for one-fifth of B.C.'s seabirds, in The Last Island. www.harbourpublishing.com Gina Mohammed (PhD'90) has written a self-help book, Catnip and Kerosene Grass - What Plants Teach Us About Life. www.candlenutbooks.com

Canadian Observes Japan
Catherine Bergman (BA'69) is getting lots of attention for From the Japanese. A bestseller in French as L'empire désorienté, it is getting raves in English as well. She writes about the cultural complexities of modern Japan as viewed from the unique vantage point of an experienced journalist (20 years as national reporter for Radio-Canada's Téléjournal) married to the Canadian ambassador to Japan. www.mcclelland.com

From the Past
Upper-class English and provincial Canadian backgrounds unite in Old Stones, a biography by award-winning writer A.S. Penne (PDP'74). She is two-time winner of the Ian St. James Award in Britain (1994 and 1996) and winner of the Writer's Digest award in the U.S. (1994). www.touchwoodeditions.com

Fighting Fire
From the 1931 McKinney fire near Rock Creek to the Silver Creek fire in Salmon Arm in 1998, Keith Keller (BA'87, PDP'89) provides a compelling look at forest fire history and fire dynamics. Wildfire Wars: Frontline Stories of BC's Worst Forest Fires takes us behind the scenes to rivers so hot that fish are boiled alive. Vivid first-person accounts make for a compelling read. www.harbourpublishing.com

Asian Gold
Thai Gold by Jason Schoonover (BA'70), a bestseller in Thailand, is being redone as Nepal Gold for Nepal and India, and may be made into a movie. Schoonover's sequel, Opium Dream, is now out and is available by email from webmaster@asiabooks.com

The Top Ten
Check out the top ten bestsellers by SFU authors or contributors in the SFU Bookstore. aq

Photography by Anthea Lee

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