Vancouver, the burgeoning metropolis of Canada's west coast, is a young city, but one with an intriguing past and a dynamic yet conflicted future; it also remains one of the world's top 10 tourist destinations according to Conde Nast Traveler; and according to a recent survey is the world's second most livable city, behind Zurich, Switzerland. In 2003, the International Olympic Committee announced that Vancouver will play host to the Winter Olympics in 2010.

"Vancouver: The Unknown City "(a completely different book from its predecessor, "Vancouver: Secrets of the City") unearths a wealth of city folklore, whether it's the licensed food stands at the legendary nude Wreck Beach, the deep-sea submarine beached outside the Maritime Museum, or Sean Penn and Robert DeNiro breaking up a fight with a mobster at the restaurant Il Giardino. It also includes the city's best shopping meccas, restaurants and nightlife haunts of which even many residents aren't aware, as well as movie gossip, transportation stats and much, much more. "Vancouver: The Unknown City "will make you reevaluate your ideas of what Vancouver is and wants to be.

Praise for "The Unknown City "series:

"As useful to locals as it is to tourists."--"Globe & Mail"

"Part tourist reference, part compendium of lore . . . a witty, engrossing, innovative series of guidebooks."--"Georgia Straight"

"The wonky spin on things local is not only useful but hugely entertaining."--"Gazette"

John Mackie has been uncovering the unknown Vancouver for twenty-five years at the "Vancouver Sun," the "Georgia Straight," and "Vancouver "magazine, where he has covered rock music, heritage issues, and culture. Sarah Reeder is the western editor of "FASHION Magazine "and "FASHION 18," and was formerly associate editor of "Vancouver "magazine.