<p>In<i>Bittersweet Sands</i>, Rick Ranson recounts a twenty-four-dayshift at an oilsands operation undergoing a shutdown, giving us a glimpse at aworld most of us only know from the evening news. Along the way, he encountersa group of engaging roughnecks, including a husband-and-wife welding crew, apetty fascist safety inspector, and the tough-as-nails secretary that keepsthem all in line.</p><p>In<i>Bittersweet Sands</i>, Rick Ranson recounts a twenty-four-dayshift at an oilsands operation undergoing a shutdown, giving us a glimpse at aworld most of us only know from the evening news. Along the way, he encountersa group of engaging roughnecks, including a husband-and-wife welding crew, apetty fascist safety inspector, and the tough-as-nails secretary that keepsthem all in line.</p>