Join us and Quentin Wilson Publishing to celebrate Alpine Panorama by Andy Buchanan, launched by Colin Monteath.
All welcome, refreshments provided. Arrive from 5.30pm for a 6pm start.
This event is free to attend – please RSVP by filling in this Google Form here or by going to tinyurl.com/ScorpioBooksRSVP.
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ABOUT THE BOOK:
For lovers of the great outdoors and those captivated by the silent allure of Canterbury’s alpine horizon, Andy Buchanan’s Alpine Panorama: A view to a Climb is a celebration of nature’s majesty and a tribute to the enduring connection between man and mountain.
The distant alpine skyline served as a magnetic force during Buchanan’s childhood, pulling him towards the untamed beauty of the region. Family holidays were spent tramping and skiing amidst the rugged peaks, creating enduring memories that fuelled a passion for the great outdoors.
In the Buchanan family home on the Port Hills, a cherished outline sketch adorned the wall – a visual guide to 133 peaks visible from the Summit Road. Inspired by this panoramic masterpiece, Andy Buchanan slowly hatched a retirement plan: to conquer each and every one of those peaks. What ensued was a journey of rediscovery and renewed enthusiasm, as he scaled familiar summits and ventured into uncharted territories.
This beautifully illustrated narrative is more than a recounting of mountaineering exploits; it is a testament to a lifetime’s fascination with nature’s grandeur. Through vivid words and breath-taking full-colour images, Buchanan frames the visible peaks within a contemporary context, weaving in Māori lore, geographic insights, historical details, and engaging anecdotes.
Each page resonates with the author’s reverence for the alpine landscape, inviting readers to join him on a visual and literary odyssey through the soaring beauty that is the glorious backdrop loved by all Cantabrians.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Andy Buchanan is a semi-retired structural engineer who grew up on the Port Hills of Christchurch. After obtaining a Civil Engineering degree at the University of Canterbury in 1969, he alternated between engineering jobs and study abroad. He completed a Masters degree in California and a PhD in British Columbia, before establishing a structural consulting firm in Christchurch. Andy moved to the University of Canterbury in 1987, where he specialised in earthquake resistance, fire safety, and the carbon footprint of multi-storey timber buildings. He taught thousands of students before stepping down in 2014.
His busy retirement activities include part-time structural engineering and the pursuit of interests in family, forestry, and conservation, as well as frequent trips to the mountains to seek images for his oil paintings.
