Stronghold

Features

This book has been chosen by Niobe Burden Austere for the 2024 Community Book Initiative as a reflection of the theme, stewardship. All profits from the purchases of this book during the 2024 Community Book Initiative event (running from 5/13/24-6/10/24) benefits local nonprofit Clean Up the Lake. 

About the Book:

PNBA BESTSELLER • “A powerful and inspiring story. Guido Rahr’s mission to save the wild Pacific salmon leads him into adventures that make for a breathtakingly exciting read.”—Ian Frazier, author of Travels in Siberia

Editors’ Choice: The New York Times Book Review • Outside Magazine • National Book Review • Forbes

In the tradition of Mountains Beyond Mountains and The Orchid Thief, Stronghold is Tucker Malarkey’s eye-opening account of one of the world’s greatest fly fishermen and his crusade to protect the world’s last bastion of wild salmon. From a young age, Guido Rahr was a misfit among his family and classmates, preferring to spend his time in the natural world. When the salmon runs of the Pacific Northwest began to decline, Guido was one of the few who understood why. As dams, industry, and climate change degraded the homes of these magnificent fish, Rahr saw that the salmon of the Pacific Rim were destined to go the way of their Atlantic brethren: near extinction.

An improbable and inspiring story, Stronghold takes us on a wild adventure, from Oregon to Alaska to one of the world’s last remaining salmon strongholds in the Russian Far East, a landscape of ecological richness and diversity that is rapidly being developed for oil, gas, minerals, and timber. Along the way, Rahr contends with scientists, conservationists, Russian oligarchs, corrupt officials, and unexpected allies in an attempt to secure a stronghold for the endangered salmon, an extraordinary keystone species whose demise would reverberate across the planet.

Tucker Malarkey, who joins Rahr in the Russian wilderness, has written a clarion call for a sustainable future, a remarkable work of natural history, and a riveting account of a species whose future is closely linked to our own.

About Niobe Burden Austere:

From an early age, my father instilled in me a deep appreciation for nature and a keen eye for its intricate beauty.  His influence continues to resonate in my art photography, shaping my affinity for simplicity of form, a unique perspective that defines my artistic vision.  I moved to Tahoe in 1998 and I've been a professional photographer for more than 30 years, with travels spanning the world.  Currently I have a passion for experimenting with icm (intentional camera movement) and creating fine art for the home or hospitality projects that exude tranquility and serenity to a space.

I've also recently taken up conservation photography to build awareness about the importance of protecting Lake Tahoe.  I’ve been getting involved on a local government jurisdiction level to influence policy to provide “affordable“ workforce housing, and sustainable development while taking care of our precious lake.

To see my fine art photography - www.niobeburdenphotoart.com

To see travel and conservation photography - www.niobeburden.com

Why Niobe Chose This Book:

Stronghold by Tucker Malarkey - One Man's Quest to Save the World's Wild Salmon - is a powerful and eye opening account of one of the world's greatest fly fishermen and his crusade to protect the world's last bastion of wild salmon.  Who would’ve thought a book about salmon could be so interesting?! This book is beautifully written and spans the lifetime of Guido as well as the world of salmon from the Pacific to one of the world's last remaining strongholds in the Russian Far East, a landscape of ecological richness and diversity that is rapidly being developed for oil, gas, minerals and timber. This is a fascinating story and true evidence that one person CAN make a difference.