Lief Carlsen is the author of two books "Lake Chelan's Union Valley - A History" and "The Northern Tier". Both are available at Riverwalk Books today.

From The Lake Chelan Mirror

Local author Lief Carlsen, of Chelan, has written an entertaining and eye-opening account of life in Union Valley in its early days, "Lake Chelan's Union Valley - A History."

Union Valley is really not a valley, but a large mountaintop district where many people tried to make a life of farming or logging or whatever opportunities presented itself. There were few roads in the early days and most folks were there to claim and improve a 160-acre piece of property.

Always seen as a beautiful place, many people found that there was little flat ground to be claimed after about the year 1890.

Many a prospective homesteaders came to Union Valley, and as the author describes in his study of the region, many were interesting characters to say the least.

Follow the early pioneers in what was more of a harsh life than most expected. The author lays out an interesting history with lots of pictures and facts from the Lake Chelan Historical Society Museum.

This book is a great history of an area in our Lake Chelan Valley that people need to read and enjoy."