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Crossing Home Ground: A Grassland Odyssey through Southern Interior British Columbia
By David Pitt-Brooke. 2016
Like John Muir, David Pitt-Brooke stepped out for a walk one morning-a long walk of a thousand kilometres or more…
through the arid valleys of southern interior British Columbia. He went in search of beauty and lost grace in a landscape that has seen decades of development and upheaval. In Crossing Home Ground he reports back, providing a day-by-day account of his journey's experiences, from the practical challenges-dealing with blisters, rain and dehydration-to sublime moments of discovery and reconnection with the natural world.Through the course of this journey, Pitt-Brooke's encounters with the natural world generate starting points for reflections on larger issues: the delicate interconnections of a healthy landscape and, most especially, the increasingly fragile bond between human beings and their home-places. There is no escaping the impact of human beings on the natural world, not even in the most remote countryside, but he finds hope and consolation in surviving pockets of loveliness, the kindness of strangers and the transformative process of the walking itself, a personal pilgrimage across home ground.Crossing Home Ground is a book that, though rooted in one specific place and time, will evoke a universal sense of recognition in a wide variety of readers. It will appeal to hikers, natural-history enthusiasts and anyone who loves the wild countryside and is concerned about the disappearance of Canada's natural spaces. Pitt-Brooke's grassland odyssey is sure to become a classic of British Columbia nature writing.Explorer's Guide Victoria & Vancouver Island: A Great Destination
By Eric Lucas. 2011
"Consistently rated the best guides to the regions covered...Readable, tasteful, appealingly designed. Strong on dining, lodging, and history."—National Geographic Traveler…
More than a million people visit Vancouver Island by air and sea each year, three quarters of them from outside Canada. Besides detailed coverage of Victoria, Eric Lucas gives wide-ranging context to the island’s culture, cuisine, and arts. There’s also a wealth of practical information to help you plan your stay in this land of natural wonders.Cod Fisheries: The History of an International Economy
By Harold Innis. 1954
The Cod Fisheries, originally published in 1938 and revised and reissued in 1954, presented a new interpretation of European and…
North American history that has since become a classic. With that rare skill he possessed of weaving together the various strands of a complex and difficult historical situation, Innis showed how the exploitation of the cod fisheries from the fifteenth century to the twentieth has been closely tied up with the whole economic and political development of Western Europe and North America. The relationship of the fisheries to the maritime greatness of Britain and to the growth of New England as an important commercial power is particularly stressed; and in the examination of the conflicts growing up about this industry are revealed the forces underlying the struggle between Britain and France for control of the new world, and the forces which led to the collapse of thye British Empire in America and the rise of an independent new world political power. The political struggles with Nova Scotia and the long conflict with the United States, continuing far into the nineteenth century, are examined in careful detail.The War That Made America: A Short History of the French and Indian War
By Fred Anderson. 2005
The globe's first true world war comes vividly to life in this "rich, cautionary tale" (The New York Times Book…
Review) The French and Indian War -the North American phase of a far larger conflagration, the Seven Years' War-remains one of the most important, and yet misunderstood, episodes in American history. Fred Anderson takes readers on a remarkable journey through the vast conflict that, between 1755 and 1763, destroyed the French Empire in North America, overturned the balance of power on two continents, undermined the ability of Indian nations to determine their destinies, and lit the "long fuse" of the American Revolution. Beautifully illustrated and recounted by an expert storyteller, The War That Made America is required reading for anyone interested in the ways in which war has shaped the history of America and its peoples.Klondike
By Pierre Berton. 1972
With the building of the railroad and the settlement of the plains, the North West was opening up. The Klondike…
stampede was a wild interlude in the epic story of western development, and here are its dramatic tales of hardship, heroism, and villainy. We meet Soapy Smith, dictator of Skagway; Swiftwater Bill Gates, who bathed in champagne; Silent Sam Bonnifield, who lost and won back a hotel in a poker game; and Roddy Connors, who danced away a fortune at a dollar a dance. We meet dance-hall queens, paupers turned millionaires, missionaries and entrepreneurs, and legendary Mounties such as Sam Steele, the Lion of the Yukon.Pierre Berton's riveting account reveals to us the spectacle of the Chilkoot Pass, and the terrors of lesser-known trails through the swamps of British Columbia, across the glaciers of souther Alaska, and up the icy streams of the Mackenzie Mountains. It contrasts the lawless frontier life on the American side of the border to the relative safety of Dawson City. Winner of the Governor General's award for non-fiction, Klondike is authentic history and grand entertainment, and a must-read for anyone interested in the Canadian frontier.From the Trade Paperback edition.The Valley of the Trent (Ontario Series of the Champlain Society #1)
By Edwin Guillet. 1957
The Trent system of lakes, rivers, and canals occupies a considerable part of the counties of Hastings, Durham, Northumberland, Peterborough,…
Haliburton, and Victoria, in the province of Ontario. This volume of documents, records, and early writings covers the discovery and settlement of the valley, development and decline of the lumber trade, the Trent Canal and community life, and is abundantly illustrated in gravure and line from source materials. The Times Literary Supplement says of this first volume that is "raised high hopes of an important contribution to Canadian social and economic history." British Book News says that the "excerpts from manuscripts, newspapers, old and rare books and pamphlets, with the excellent contemporary illustrations, give a vivid and valuable account of early life in this interesting area."A Newfoundlander in Canada: Always Going Somewhere, Always Coming Home
By Alan Doyle. 2017
Following the fantastic success of his bestselling memoir, Where I Belong, Great Big Sea front man Alan Doyle returns with…
a hilarious, heartwarming account of leaving Newfoundland and discovering Canada for the first time.Armed with the same personable, candid style found in his first book, Alan Doyle turns his perspective outward from Petty Harbour toward mainland Canada, reflecting on what it was like to venture away from the comforts of home and the familiarity of the island. Often in a van, sometimes in a bus, occasionally in a car with broken wipers "using Bob's belt and a rope found by Paddy's Pond" to pull them back and forth, Alan and his bandmates charted new territory, and he constantly measured what he saw of the vast country against what his forefathers once called the Daemon Canada. In a period punctuated by triumphant leaps forward for the band, deflating steps backward and everything in between—opening for Barney the Dinosaur at an outdoor music festival, being propositioned at a gas station mail-order bride service in Alberta, drinking moonshine with an elderly church-goer on a Sunday morning in PEI—Alan's few established notions about Canada were often debunked and his own identity as a Newfoundlander was constantly challenged. Touring the country, he also discovered how others view Newfoundlanders and how skewed these images can sometimes be. Asked to play in front of the Queen at a massive Canada Day festival on Parliament Hill, the concert organizers assured Alan and his bandmates that the best way to showcase Newfoundland culture was for them to be towed onto stage in a dory and introduced not as Newfoundlanders but as "Newfies." The boys were not amused. Heartfelt, funny and always insightful, these stories tap into the complexities of community and Canadianness, forming the portrait of a young man from a tiny fishing village trying to define and hold on to his sense of home while navigating a vast and diverse and wonder-filled country.The Wickaninnish Cookbook: Rustic Elegance on Nature's Edge
By Wickaninnish Inn. 2018
From the Wickaninnish Inn--the award-winning Relais & Châteaux property in Tofino, British Columbia--comes a rustically luxurious cookbook to celebrate their…
sensational west coast cuisinePerched between the majestic old-growth forests of Tofino and the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean, the Wickaninnish Inn is a destination like no other. In this evocative cookbook, the "Wick," as it is affectionately known, welcomes you into the warmth to share the celebrated cuisine of Inn's The Pointe Restaurant. Since the Wick first opened in 1996, it has been regarded for its rustic elegance, warm hospitality, and incredible west coast cuisine. This cookbook highlights the innovative dishes (and the stories behind them) that have made The Pointe a destination dining experience like no other, and paints a vivid picture of spectacular natural surroundings, west coast life, and scenic ocean-to-table dining. Memorable recipes from the Wick are coupled with signature recipes from current and former chefs--Warren Barr, Rod Butters, Matthias Conradi, Mark Filatow, Justin Laboissiere, Duncan Ly, Andrew Springett, and Matt Wilson--and combine cutting edge techniques with fresh, seasonal ingredients, to create a distinctly contemporary, west coast cookbook. Inside you will find both sophisticated and accessible recipes that speak to the Inn's longstanding commitment to farm- and ocean-fresh ingredients, and strike a harmonious balance between the bounties of land and sea that surround the Inn. The Wickaninnish Cookbook offers a chance to visit life on nature's edge, and discover dishes from one of the most prestigious kitchens in Canada.The Floor of Heaven: A True Tale of the Last Frontier and the Yukon Gold Rush
By Howard Blum. 2011
It is the last decade of the 19th century. The Wild West has been tamed and its fierce, independent and…
often violent larger-than-life figures - gun-toting wanderers, trappers, prospectors, Indian fighters, cowboys, and lawmen -are now victims of their own success. They are heroes who've outlived their usefulness.But then gold is discovered in Alaska and the adjacent Canadian Klondike and a new frontier suddenly looms - an immense unexplored territory filled with frozen waterways, dark spruce forests, and towering mountains capped by glistening layers of snow and ice. "Klondicitis," a giddy mix of greed and lust for adventure, ignites a stampede. Fleeing the depths of a worldwide economic depression and driven by starry-eyed visions of vast wealth, tens of thousands rush northward. Joining this throng of greenhorns and grifters, whores and highwaymen, sourdoughs and seers are three unforgettable men. In a true-life tale that rivets from the first page, we meet Charlie Siringo, a top-hand sharp-shooting cowboy who, after futilely trying to settle down with his new bride, becomes one of the Pinkerton Detective Agency's shrewdest; George Carmack, a California-born American Marine who's adopted by an Indian tribe, raises a family with a Taglish squaw, makes the discovery that starts off the Yukon Gold Rush - and becomes fabulously rich; and Soapy Smith, a sly and inventive predator-conman who rules a vast criminal empire.As we follow this trio's lives, we're led inexorably into a perplexing mystery. A fortune in gold bars has somehow been stolen from the fortress-like Treadwell Mine in Juneau, Alaska, with no clues as to how the thieves made off with such an immensely heavy cargo. To many it appears that the crime will never be solved. But the Pinkerton Agency has a reputation for finding the answers that elude others. Charged with getting the job done is Charlie Siringo who discovers that, to run the thieves to ground, he must embark on a rugged cross-territory odyssey that will lead him across frigid waters and through a frozen wilderness. Ultimately, he'll have his quarry in his sights. But then an additional challenge will present itself. He must face down Soapy Smith and his gang of 300 cutthroats. Hanging in the balance: George Carmack's fortune in gold. At once a compelling true-life mystery and an unforgettable portrait of a time in America's history when thousands were fired with a vision of riches so unimaginable as to be worth any price, The Floor of Heaven is also an exhilarating tribute to the courage and undaunted spirit of the men and women who helped shape America.The Empire Within
By Sean Mills. 2010
In a brilliant history of a turbulent time and place, Mills pulls back the curtain on the decade's activists and…
intellectuals, showing their engagement both with each other and with people from around the world. He demonstrates how activists of different backgrounds and with different political aims drew on ideas of decolonization to rethink the meanings attached to the politics of sex, race, and class and to imagine themselves as part of a broad transnational movement of anti-colonial and anti-imperialist resistance. The temporary unity forged around ideas of decolonization came undone in the 1970s, however, as many were forced to come to terms with the contradictions and ambiguities of applying ideas of decolonization in Quebec. From linguistic debates to labour unions, and from the political activities of citizens in the city's poorest neighbourhoods to its Caribbean intellectuals, The Empire Within is a political tour of Montreal that reconsiders the meaning and legacy of the city's dissident traditions. It is also a fascinating chapter in the history of postcolonial thought.Oliver Sacks: The Last Interview
By Oliver Sacks. 2016
An extraordinary collection of interviews with the beloved doctor and author, whose research and books inspired generations of readers.Oliver Sacks--called…
"the poet laureate of medicine" by the New York Times--illuminated the mysteries of the brain for a wide audience in a series of richly acclaimed books, including Awakenings and The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat, and numerous The New Yorker articles. In this collection of interviews, Sacks is at his most candid and disarming, rich with insights about his life and work. Any reader of Oliver Sacks will find in this book an entirely new way of looking at a brilliant writer.My Son Wears Heels: One Mom's Journey from Clueless to Kickass
By Diane Ehrensaft, Julie Tarney. 2016
In 1992, Julie Tarney's only child, Harry, told her, "Inside my head I'm a girl." He was two years old.…
Julie had no idea what that meant. She felt disoriented. Wasn't it her role to encourage and support her child? Surely she had to set some limits to his self-expression--or did she? Would he be bullied? Could she do the right thing? What was the right thing? The internet was no help, because there was no internet. And there were zero books for a mom scrambling to understand a toddler who had definite ideas about his gender, regardless of how Nature had endowed him. Terms such as transgender,gender nonconforming, and gender creative were rare or nonexistent. There were, however, mainstream experts who theorized that a "sissy" boy was the result of a domineering mother. Julie couldn't believe it. She didn't want to care what her neighbors thought, but she did care. "Domineering mother" meant controlling mother. It meant bad mother. It meant her mother. Lacking a positive role model of her own, and fearful of being judged as a mom who was making her son "too feminine," Julie embarked on an unexpected parenting path. Despite some missteps, and with no map to guide her, she learned to rely on her instincts. She listened carefully, kept an open mind, and as long as Harry was happy, she let him lead the way. Julie eventually realized that Harry knew who he was all along. Her job was simply to love and support him unconditionally, allowing him to be his authentic self. This story of a mother embracing her child's uniqueness and her own will resonate with all families.Bit Rot
By Douglas Coupland. 2016
Bit Rot, a new collection from Douglas Coupland that explores the different ways 20th-century notions of the future are being…
shredded, is a gem of the digital age. Reading Bit Rot feels a lot like bingeing on Netflix... you can't stop with just one."Bit rot" is a term used in digital archiving to describe the way digital files can spontaneously and quickly decompose. As Coupland writes, "Bit rot also describes the way my brain has been feeling since 2000, as I shed older and weaker neurons and connections and enhance new and unexpected ones." Bit Rot the book explores the ways humanity tries to make sense of our shifting consciousness. Coupland, just like the Internet, mixes forms to achieve his ends. Short fiction is interspersed with essays on all aspects of modern life. The result is addictively satisfying for Coupland's legion of fans hungry for his observations about our world. For almost three decades, his unique pattern recognition has powered his fiction, and his phrase-making. Every page of Bit Rot is full of wit, surprise and delight.From the Hardcover edition.The Great Escape: A Canadian Story
By Ted Barris. 2014
A unique retelling of WWII’s most dramatic escape, told through first-hand recollections of the soldiers who experienced it. On the…
night of March 24, 1944, 80 Commonwealth airmen crawled through a 336-foot-long tunnel and slipped into the forest beyond the wire of Stalag Luft III, a German POW compound near Sagan, Poland. The event became known as &8220;The Great Escape,&8220; an intricate breakout more than a year in the making, involving as many as 2,000 POWs working with extraordinary coordination, intelligence, and daring. Yet within a few days, all but three of the escapees were recaptured. Subsequently, 50 were murdered, cremated, and buried in a remote corner of the prison camp. But most don’t know the real story behind The Great Escape. Now, on the eve of its 70th anniversary, Ted Barris writes of the key players in the escape attempt, those who got away, those who didn’t, and their families at home. Barris marshals groundbreaking research into a compelling firsthand account. For the first time, The Great Escape retells one of the most astonishing episodes in WWII directly through the eyes of those who experienced it. Joint Winner of the Libris Award for Non-Fiction Book of the Year 2014Globe and Mail BestsellerToronto Star BestsellerSelf-Help
By Norm Foster. 2004
A married pair of second-rate theatre actors cast themselves as nationally renowned self-help gurus. Their lives unravel in a farce…
as they try to conceal a body and hold on to their falsely won fame.A Man A Fish
By Donna Michelle St. Bernard. 2015
Prosper is a fisherman trying to get by in the face of everyday problems: there’s the spectre of the baby…
his wife desires, the ghost of his dead mistress, his wife’s secret admirer, and the overwhelming lure of the village bar. When a slippery eel salesman arrives in town peddling progress to the rural community, Prosper’s list of problems only increases. Faced with an invasive new species in his lake, his fortunes decline along with the fish population, and Prosper gets a lesson in gift horses and generosity. A Man A Fish is a part of the 54ology, inspired by events in Burundi.Storm Warning
By Norm Foster. 2003
Set in cottage country in 1953, Jack Forrester, a damaged World War II vet, has retreated from life. Then one…
weekend he meets Emma Currie, an amphetamine-popping chart writer for a big band. Both lives will change forever as these two opposites collide.East of Berlin
By Hannah Moscovitch. 2009
Standing outside his father's study in Paraguay, Rudi is smoking cigarettes, trying to work up the courage to go in.…
It has been seven years since he stood in that same spot; seven years since he left his family and their history behind him. As a teenager, Rudi discovered that his father was a doctor at Auschwitz. Trying to reconcile his inherited guilt, Rudi lashed out against his family and his friends, and eventually fled to Germany. While there, he follows in his father's footsteps by studying medicine, and falls in love with Sarah, the daughter of a Holocaust survivor. Questioning redemption, love, guilt, and the sins of the father, East of Berlin is a tour de force that follows Rudi's emotional upheaval as he comes to terms with a frightening past that was never his own.Battle Diary: From D-Day and Normandy to the Zuider Zee and VE
By Charles Cromwell Martin, Roy Whitsed. 1994
A fast-paced account by a soldier who was twice decorated. Charlie Martin, company sergeant-major in the Queen’s Own, was with…
his beloved A Company in all of the significant Normandy actions.Victory at Vimy: Canada Comes of Age, April 9-12, 1917
By Ted Barris. 2007
National Bestseller At the height of the First World War, on Easter Monday April 9, 1917, in early morning sleet,…
sixteen battalions of the Canadian Corps rose along a six-kilometre line of trenches in northern France against the occupying Germans. All four Canadian divisions advanced in a line behind a well-rehearsed creeping barrage of artillery fire. By nightfall, the Germans had suffered a major setback. The Ridge, which other Allied troops had assaulted previously and failed to take, was firmly in Canadian hands. The Canadian Corps had achieved perhaps the greatest lightning strike in Canadian military history. One Paris newspaper called it "Canada’s Easter gift to France." Of the 40,000 Canadians who fought at Vimy, nearly 10,000 became casualties. Many of their names are engraved on the famous monument that now stands on the ridge to commemorate the battle. It was the first time Canadians had fought as a distinct national army, and in many ways, it was a coming of age for the nation. The achievement of the Canadians on those April days in 1917 has become one of our lasting myths. Based on first-hand accounts, including archival photographs and maps, it is the voices of the soldiers who experienced the battle that comprise the thrust of the book. Like JUNO: Canadians at D-Day, Ted Barris paints a compelling and surprising human picture of what it was like to have stormed and taken Vimy Ridge.