On August 17, 1899, a British doctor nearly dies while exploring the Arcturus glacier near Jasper, Alberta. In his best-selling novel, Thomas Wharton recreates Dr. Edward Byrne's story. Obsessed with the icefields, Bryne gives up his London practice, settles on the edge of the glacier, and watches Jasper change from a place of myth into a tourist town.

Thomas Wharton was born in Grande Prairie, Alberta, an agriculture and oil city located near the BC border. His father, a utilities manager, was transferred to Jasper when Wharton was a teen. The years Wharton spent exploring the mountains and glaciers around Jasper have had a lasting impact on his literary output; references to the Rocky Mountains weave in and out of the books he has written, most notably Icefields (NeWest Press, 1995) and The Logogryph. A life-long love of maps, history, art, and poetry equally informs his work. His latest adult novel is Every Blade of Grass. He is also the author of a fantasy trilogy, The Perilous Realm for younger readers. The Shadow of Malabron, The Fathomless Fire, and The Tree Story are available from Doubleda Canada.

Thomas Wharton's profile page

Edmontonian James MacDonald is a director and actor, who has appeared on stages throughout Alberta and on several television series, including Jake and the Kid.

James MacDonald's profile page