The West beyond the West: A History of British Columbia,

British Columbia is regularly described in superlatives both positive and negative - most spectacular scenery, strangest politics, greatest environmental sensitivity, richest Aboriginal cultures, most aggressive resource exploitation, closest ties to Asia. Jean Barman's The West beyond the West presents the history of BC in all its diversity and apparent contradictions. Barman's critically acclaimed work is the premiere BC history book, with a narrative beginning at the point of contact between Native peoples and Europeans and continuing into the twenty-first century.

Barman tells British Columbia's story by focusing not only on the history made by leaders in government but also on the roles of women, immigrants, and Aboriginal peoples. She incorporates new understandings and expands discussions of important topics such as the province's relationship to Canada as a nation, the two world wars, the perspectives of non-mainstream British Columbians, and recreation and sports including Olympic participation.

First published in 1991 and revised in 1996, this third edition of The West beyond the West has been supplemented by maps, statistical tables incorporating the 2001 census, two large sections portraying British Columbia's history in images, and new material bringing the book up-to-date. Barman's deft scholarship is readily apparent and the book demands to be on the shelf of anyone with an interest in British Columbian and Canadian history.