Highly recommended!
Showing posts with label Canadian history. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Canadian history. Show all posts
Sunday, August 02, 2009
The Canadians in the Second Battle of Ypres, April 22nd-26th, 1915: A Social History and Battlefield Tour by N. M. Christie
The Canadians in the Second Battle of Ypres, April 22nd-26th, 1915: A Social History and Battlefield Tour by N. M. Christie
nice short heavily illustrated booklet on this battle of the First World War. Christie who acts as a battlefield tour guide has here distilled his knowledge of visiting the battlefield into a highly readable account. There are also scattered throughout the text several short biographies of participants most of them fatalities. There's a concluding section on In Flanders Fields. There aren't any citations but there is a further reading section in the back. My only criticism is that there's a touch of hyperbole in the text at times. I picked up a bunch of these recently and will be reading through them in chronological order.
Highly recommended!
Highly recommended!
Labels:
book review,
Canadian history,
military history
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Reasoning Otherwise: Leftists and the People's Enlightenment in Canada, 1890-1920 by Ian McKay
Reasoning Otherwise: Leftists and the People's Enlightenment in Canada, 1890-1920 by Ian McKay
covers the formation of the first generation of socialists within Canada. There is coverage here of a dizzying number of groups, publications and individuals. All of them it seems with slightly different goals and philosophies. Luckily there described in a way that is for the most part easy to follow. The narrative concludes with the Winnipeg general strike of 1919. I was frequently frustrated that McKay has objectivity problems. He comes out of the socialist tradition and frequently uses current views on topics to criticize. He's quick to complain about racism, sexism and homophobia, strangely calls for revolution are passed along without comment.
I only know the general outlines of this history. I found the book interesting. He does have another book talking about more modern Canadian history and the left I'll be looking for it.
Recommended.
Note:This book was provided through Librarything's early reviewer Program.
I only know the general outlines of this history. I found the book interesting. He does have another book talking about more modern Canadian history and the left I'll be looking for it.
Recommended.
Note:This book was provided through Librarything's early reviewer Program.
Labels:
book review,
Canadian history
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Baptism of Fire: The Second Battle of Ypres and the Forging of Canada, April 1915 by Nathan M. Greenfield
Baptism of Fire: The Second Battle of Ypres and the Forging of Canada, April 1915 by Nathan M. Greenfield
first off yes the title is a little goofy. What we have here is a description of the training of the Canadian units and the Second Battle of Ypres. Probably most famous for the Germans first use of poison gas on the western front. Not only has Greenfield used Canadian sources but also material from the Germans opposing the Canadians. A nice change from most Canadian military history that rarely goes into the opposition's archives. I did find that the book is trying to cover all audiences both scholarly and newbie. Simple terms are explained than a few pages later is an extensive discussion of the veracity of a source. So the writing is uneven. Besides this complaint this is an excellent book on a WWI battle.
Recommended!
Recommended!
Labels:
book review,
Canadian history,
military history
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Monday, December 01, 2008
Prime Minister Dion
May you live in interesting times indeed. I wonder if it's possible to get a national telephone poll done before Friday and if anyone's doing one. Even if the poll was negative I'm not sure it would slow down the momentum. This really does seem to have a life of its own.
Labels:
Canadian history,
Canadian politics
Friday, November 28, 2008
The non-confidence motion
“In light of the government’s failure to recognize the seriousness of Canada’s economic situation and its failure in particular to present any credible plan to stimulate the Canadian economy and to help workers and businesses in hard-pressed sectors such as manufacturing, the automotive industry and forestry, this House has lost confidence in this government and is of the opinion that a viable alternative government can be formed within the present House of Commons.”
From here.
From here.
Labels:
Canadian history,
Canadian politics
Friday, October 24, 2008
Delusion: The True Story of Victorian Superspy Henri Le Caron by Peter Edwards
Delusion: The True Story of Victorian Superspy Henri Le Caron by Peter Edwards
is a biography of the British spy that provided intelligence on the Fenians and other Irish terrorist groups. He gave material both to the Canadian government and British. This allowed the foiling of various terrorist plots as well as two invasions of Canada from the United States. The book also gets into a nice amount of detail about Irish politics in the middle years of the 19th century. Edwards manages to avoid the traps of popular history [i.e. dramatization]. He's done quite a bit of research and it shows in an extensive notes and a bibliography section. For anyone who's interested in an early terrorist groups, Irish, British, Canadian or American history.
Highly recommended!
Note: this book was provided through Mini Book Expo.
Highly recommended!
Note: this book was provided through Mini Book Expo.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
The path of destiny: Canada from the British conquest to home rule, 1763-1850 by Thomas Head Raddall
The path of destiny: Canada from the British conquest to home rule, 1763-1850 by Thomas Head Raddall
is the third volume in a six volume political history of Canada that was published in the 1950s and 60s. The book covers the length of time from the seizing of Canada by the British through the decision to grant representative government. The book starts with a discussion of why the Canadian territories did not join with the Americans in the American Revolution. Much of the book is taken up with a rather conventional account of the war of 1812. The final section is devoted to the rebellions in upper and lower Canada and the resulting dismantling of the family compact. There are no citations or bibliography. The writing is serviceable without too many flourishes.
Recommended!
Recommended!
Labels:
book review,
Canadian history,
military history
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Canada's Army: Waging War and Keeping the Peace by J.L. Granatstein
Canada's Army: Waging War and Keeping the Peace by J.L. Granatstein
this is probably the best single volume history on the Canadian Army. It covers from Confederation up to 2001. It's big I get the feeling that a lifetime of research has gone into this. The bibliography is massive.
The major thesis is that Canadians must have professionalism in their army. This may seem rather obvious but for much of Canada's history it hasn't been the case. Even as recent as the 1980s most officers did not have degrees above the undergrad level. There is an extensive discussion of the various military actions the Canadian Army has been involved in including the Boer War,WWI,WWII, Korea, NATO and peacekeeping.
Unfortunately there are some problems with the book. Granatstein is as opinionated as always. This is particularly evident when discussing events after the Korean War. Some of these opinions are downright odd such as that women in combat hasn't been tested. Maybe someone needs to call the Israelis and let them know. He also says that he shouldn't have to discuss Vimy Ridge because it wasn't a strategic victory. He does anyway. Earlier he without reservation analyzed skirmishes from the Boer War.
Recommended even with its drawbacks it still a key part of a Canadian military history collection.
The major thesis is that Canadians must have professionalism in their army. This may seem rather obvious but for much of Canada's history it hasn't been the case. Even as recent as the 1980s most officers did not have degrees above the undergrad level. There is an extensive discussion of the various military actions the Canadian Army has been involved in including the Boer War,WWI,WWII, Korea, NATO and peacekeeping.
Unfortunately there are some problems with the book. Granatstein is as opinionated as always. This is particularly evident when discussing events after the Korean War. Some of these opinions are downright odd such as that women in combat hasn't been tested. Maybe someone needs to call the Israelis and let them know. He also says that he shouldn't have to discuss Vimy Ridge because it wasn't a strategic victory. He does anyway. Earlier he without reservation analyzed skirmishes from the Boer War.
Recommended even with its drawbacks it still a key part of a Canadian military history collection.
Labels:
book review,
Canadian history,
military history,
WWII
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Century of Conflict: The struggle between the French and British in colonial America by Joseph Lister Rutledge
Century of Conflict: The struggle between the French and British in colonial America by Joseph Lister Rutledge
this is the second volume in a multi-volume history of Canada published in the 1950s and 60s. Strangely there is a 20 year overlap with the first volume. I find Rutledge's argument that he included it because it was interesting a rather weak justification.
The book starts with King William's War 1689 – 1697 and concludes with the fall of new France to the British. The narrative is firmly political and economic. There are occasional nods to religious history as well as social history topics. The racism that I had noticed in the first volume doesn't seem to be as evident in this one which is a comfort. As mentioned with the earlier volume no bibliography or list of sources which I find irritating.
Recommended although it's probably been superseded in the specialized literature.
The book starts with King William's War 1689 – 1697 and concludes with the fall of new France to the British. The narrative is firmly political and economic. There are occasional nods to religious history as well as social history topics. The racism that I had noticed in the first volume doesn't seem to be as evident in this one which is a comfort. As mentioned with the earlier volume no bibliography or list of sources which I find irritating.
Recommended although it's probably been superseded in the specialized literature.
Labels:
book review,
Canadian history,
military history
Monday, July 21, 2008
The White and the Gold: The French Regime in Canada Volume #1, Canadian History Series by Thomas Costain
The White and the Gold: The French Regime in Canada Volume #1, Canadian History Series by Thomas Costain
is the first part of a multi-volume narrative history of Canada. This was first published in 1954 and was aimed at the general reader.
I picked this up mainly because narrative political history is something that just isn't done in Canada these days. The narrative starts with the discovery of Canada by first the Vikings then John Cabot. The various voyages of exploration are described. New France and the political machinations both inside the colony and back in the home country take up most of the volume. Conflicts broke out between secular and religious authorities. There's much on the relations with the various native tribes including several military conflicts.
I liked that this did provide a political narrative of new France however there are a few things that deeply troubled me about this work. The first is that there were no notes or bibliography. The author shrugged this off by saying he looked at thousands of sources. I find this hard to believe. The second is that there are some racist comments leveled at the natives in several places. Costain states that the Hurons ruled because their brains were larger than the other natives. In another section the French government is complemented for social policies that led to marriage between whites and avoided relationships with natives. I do understand this was published in the mid-50s but it is still rather jarring and I'm not too sure what to make of it.
Recommended but it does show its age and could probably be easily superseded if anyone had the will..
I picked this up mainly because narrative political history is something that just isn't done in Canada these days. The narrative starts with the discovery of Canada by first the Vikings then John Cabot. The various voyages of exploration are described. New France and the political machinations both inside the colony and back in the home country take up most of the volume. Conflicts broke out between secular and religious authorities. There's much on the relations with the various native tribes including several military conflicts.
I liked that this did provide a political narrative of new France however there are a few things that deeply troubled me about this work. The first is that there were no notes or bibliography. The author shrugged this off by saying he looked at thousands of sources. I find this hard to believe. The second is that there are some racist comments leveled at the natives in several places. Costain states that the Hurons ruled because their brains were larger than the other natives. In another section the French government is complemented for social policies that led to marriage between whites and avoided relationships with natives. I do understand this was published in the mid-50s but it is still rather jarring and I'm not too sure what to make of it.
Recommended but it does show its age and could probably be easily superseded if anyone had the will..
Labels:
book review,
Canadian history
Monday, June 16, 2008
Coming of the Spirit of Pestilence: Introduced Infectious Diseases and Population Decline among Northwest Coast Indians, by Robert Boyd
Coming of the Spirit of Pestilence: Introduced Infectious Diseases and Population Decline among Northwest Coast Indians, by Robert Boyd. That certainly is quite the title. There's coverage from California North to the Yukon border and from the late 18th century through the mid-19th. There are several diseases covered including smallpox, tuberculosis and even malaria. There were multiple outbreaks that swept through the various native groups. Most interesting was the various reactions including religion and scapegoating. The text is very dry. I get the feeling that Boyd is quite proud of all the research he's done so he's going to reference all of it. There are quite a few extensive quotations from primary sources which was nice. Explanatory footnotes accompany the text as well as general information on epidemiology and the various illnesses.
Recommended there's a lot of information here even if it is occasionally hard going.
Is available through Abebooks.
Recommended there's a lot of information here even if it is occasionally hard going.
Is available through Abebooks.
Labels:
American history,
book review,
Canadian history
Monday, May 19, 2008
The Arrow; Avro CF-105 Mk 1; Pilot's Operating Instructions and RCAF Testing/Basing Plans Edited and with a Forward by T. F.J. Leversedge
The Arrow; Avro CF-105 Mk 1; Pilot's Operating Instructions and RCAF Testing/Basing Plans Edited and with a Forward by T. F.J. Leversedge. This is perhaps one of the stranger things that I have blogged about as far as my reading goes. As the title would suggest this is a publication of two internal Canadian government reports on the Avro Arrow.
The Avro Arrow [with the Money Pit of Oak Island] is the perennial subject of Canadian conspiracy theorists. After a successful series of test flights the program was abruptly shutdown in 1959. Theories about this often involve meddling from the United States.
There isn't any real discussion of the termination in the introduction or the documents themselves. What is here is a fascinating description of the aircraft itself. Down to what various warning lights mean and the test program that was cut short. The description of the basing plans includes the assignment of different airframes to each battery of tests.
It is rather hard to review this. There are illustrations and pictures on every page. Explanatory notes are occasionally provided. Personally I would have preferred more explanation of technical terminology but I understand why it wasn't included. This publication seems to be aimed at aircraft enthusiasts who presumably would know what many of these terms already mean.
The Avro Arrow [with the Money Pit of Oak Island] is the perennial subject of Canadian conspiracy theorists. After a successful series of test flights the program was abruptly shutdown in 1959. Theories about this often involve meddling from the United States.
There isn't any real discussion of the termination in the introduction or the documents themselves. What is here is a fascinating description of the aircraft itself. Down to what various warning lights mean and the test program that was cut short. The description of the basing plans includes the assignment of different airframes to each battery of tests.
It is rather hard to review this. There are illustrations and pictures on every page. Explanatory notes are occasionally provided. Personally I would have preferred more explanation of technical terminology but I understand why it wasn't included. This publication seems to be aimed at aircraft enthusiasts who presumably would know what many of these terms already mean.
Labels:
book review,
Canadian history,
military history
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Soldier of Fortune, the Story of a Nineteenth Century Adventurer by Ella Pipping Translated By Naomi Walford
Soldier of Fortune, the Story of a Nineteenth Century Adventurer by Ella Pipping Translated By Naomi Walford this is the biography of one of the leaders of the 1838 rebellion in Upper Canada [Ontario]. Nils Gustaf von Schoultz a Finn mercenary took command of the invading force from the United States during the Battle of Windmill near Prescott Ontario. This was written by a descendent and contains material from family documents. There has also been archival research done as well as reference to secondary sources. The research is actually pretty good, I would have preferred more on background but it's okay.
Much of the story is taken up with von Schoultz's relationship with his family. He left very little material himself. He's mostly seen through the writings of his relatives. Unfortunately much of the material was censored by a descendent.
He comes off mostly as someone who could not settle down for any length of time. He apparently had several moneymaking schemes including one for recovering salt from natural deposits. His mercenary career involved fighting with the Polish against the Russians and sometime in Africa although there isn't much evidence for that.
The attack on Canada is dealt with quite briefly. There is very little on the tactics or strategy of the battle. It seems to have been somewhat of a fiasco. There is material on his trial and execution. He was defended by John A. Macdonald the future prime minister of Canada.
Recommended an interesting part of Canadian history.
Is available through Abebooks.
Much of the story is taken up with von Schoultz's relationship with his family. He left very little material himself. He's mostly seen through the writings of his relatives. Unfortunately much of the material was censored by a descendent.
He comes off mostly as someone who could not settle down for any length of time. He apparently had several moneymaking schemes including one for recovering salt from natural deposits. His mercenary career involved fighting with the Polish against the Russians and sometime in Africa although there isn't much evidence for that.
The attack on Canada is dealt with quite briefly. There is very little on the tactics or strategy of the battle. It seems to have been somewhat of a fiasco. There is material on his trial and execution. He was defended by John A. Macdonald the future prime minister of Canada.
Recommended an interesting part of Canadian history.
Is available through Abebooks.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
The Politics of Survival;: The Conservative Party of Canada, 1939-1945 by J. L Granatstein
The Politics of Survival;: The Conservative Party of Canada, 1939-1945 by J. L Granatstein. This is a history describing the transition from the Conservative Party to the Progressive Conservative Party during the second world war. The major issue that the party tryed to gather support on was that of conscription. This pretty much destroyed the party in Québec and even caused problems in English Canada. Granatstein suggests that the party was so badly mismanaged it was nearly destroyed except for the threat of the CCF.[Co-operative Commonwealth Federation]. This was originally Granatstein's thesis so it has the over-the-top bibliography and primary research one would expect. That being said the writing is clear without too many flourishes. There are footnotes as well as appendices containing abstracts from policy documents.
Highly recommended!
Is available through Abebooks.

For more WWII book reviews take a look at My World War II bookshelf.
Highly recommended!
Is available through Abebooks.
For more WWII book reviews take a look at My World War II bookshelf.
Labels:
book review,
Canadian history,
Canadian politics,
WWII
Saturday, October 27, 2007
The Gouzenko Transcripts: The Evidence Presented to the Kellock-Taschereau Royal Commission of 1946 Editors by Robert Bothwell and J.L. Granatstein
The Gouzenko Transcripts: The Evidence Presented to the Kellock-Taschereau Royal Commission of 1946 edited by Robert Bothwell and J.L. Granatstein contains a series of extracts from the evidence given to this royal commission looking into Soviet spying in Canada during World War II. Much of this is the testimony of Igor Gouzenko who defected to Canada in 1945. The transcripts consist of his own testimony as well as those fingered through his testimony and documents. Some are more cooperative than others. The atomic spying that the Russians did in the UK and United States is also touched upon. Most interesting is the use of discussion groups to find possible agents. The introduction is a decent description of the events that took place and their historical impact.
Highly recommended!
Is available through Abebooks.

For more WWII book reviews take a look at My World War II bookshelf.
Highly recommended!
Is available through Abebooks.
For more WWII book reviews take a look at My World War II bookshelf.
Labels:
book review,
Canadian history,
WWII
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