Canada Books

This book is a wonderful collection of history, technique and lore about the Inuit qajaq found in Greenland and Canad's eastern Arctic. Anyone interested in these boats either as a historian, a builder or a paddler needs a copy on their shelf! The contributors are genuine experts both from the past as well as those involved in the revival of these very special boats.

The collaborative work of the late John Heath (1923-2003) who was an acknowledged expert in kayaks, and the Canadian ethnologist E. Arima, Eastern Arctic Kayaks: History, Design, Technique combines informed and informative analyses of form and function with historical background and illustrations of kayaking techniques that will be of immense interest to recreational users of kayaks, as well as academics with an interest in Inuit and Canadian Arctic aboriginal culture. The reader is provided with a comprehensive overview of the evolution and construction of Greenland kayaks, supplemented with an illustrated series of rolling and sculling techniques. The definitive text includes woodworking tools, construction techniques, and the treatment of skins for the kayak cover. Superbly illustrated with historic photographs and expert drawings, Eastern Arctic Kayaks is especially recommended for readers with an interest in the history of watercraft and northern native material culture.

The Arctic regions covered are the coastal areas of Greenland, Hudson's Bay, Baffin Island, and Labrador. Swedish kayaks are also examined for similarities in construction and for historical comparisons. The authors also went to museums in western and northern European countries to study kayaks at these. The authors--both with in-depth backgrounds on the subject--do a sound, detailed study on historical, present-day, and recreational kayaks. Heath especially was interested in the value of design elements and kayaking techniques of the oldest kayaks for today's recreational kayakers. For three decades, Arima has been an ethnohistorian with Parks Canada focusing on the Arctic and northwest coast of North America. Text, photographs, and detailed design drawings of kayaks work together in relating unique information on the different aspects of kayaks. While the material covers a broad geographical area and hundreds of years of kayak-making and use in hunting and transportation, one is struck by the remarkable ingenuity of the design of early kayaks; which has stood the test of time to be the basis for modern-day kayaks.

In the last years ellipsometry has gained an important place in material science, due to the possibility of measuring optical properties of materials.
In this book the authors give a complete overview of this technique, starting from the principles of polarized light up to a deep threatment of ellipsometry (theory and applications) and its unique features in the field of surface and thin films phenomena.
A book that must be in a serious library of solid state physics, optics and physical chemistry.

This book is a very good guide of how to use ellipsometry to probe interfaces and thin films (one can measure film thicknesses with an outstanding resolution). It shows that the simple fact that a change in the polarization of light can be a good probe for several systems (such as film growth and liquid-liquid interfaces). I would have liked however, if there were some information of how one can measure mechanical properties of a thin fluctuating liquid film using phase modulated ellipsometry.

I liked the book and is my bible whenever I want to do such experiments.

Very good treatment of polarimeters, polarization calculii, and thin films. Solid mathematical treatment. Good for students

My son and I used this book as a reference and took a summer vaca to the Milwaukee-area. Well laid out and accurate info. Highly recommend for train enthusiasts who also like to travel.

This, the 41st Edition (2006) of the best guide to railroading, continues the tradition of this great annual series listing and outlining hundreds of railroad museums and tourist trains across the US and Canada. Arranged by state, each site features a photo, a description of what's there, a schedule, the admission fees, special events, and directions on how to get to it. Contact information (addresses, phone numbers, email/internet info) is also provided. And, as usual, there are about a hundred discount coupons enclosed. Anyone interested in railroading or who plans on taking a vacation trip that might include visits to railroad sites or museums will find this guide indispensable.

Over 600 railroad-related attractions the general public can visit are packed into a listing guide which blends in photos and practical info such as hours, fees and directions - but wait, there's more! Don't forget the coupons for discounts on ticket prices --for avid train buffs, worth the price of the book itself - plus maps, photos, 'editor's choice' listings of special recommendations, and details on what kinds of trains may be found at each location. Rail and travel buffs will find this a 'must' reference.

Diane C. Donovan, Editor
California Bookwatch

This was absolutely great! I received the book quickly and the condition it was in was fine. Thank you for an amazing experience!

This book is what engineering is really all about- actually designing machinery and mechanical components to fill a need. I know that is why I got into the game several decades ago. Yet with all the management, scheduling, quoting, and clerical chores that are piled on engineers and engineering departments these days, it is easy to lose sight of why you chose this career in the first place. In fact, that's the only thanks you ever get in a largely thankless profession- the joy of occationally getting to design something that works.

This book is a rarity, it works as both an introductory text, as a design text, and as a life long reference book. I've taken mine along on many an assignment long after I had discarded lesser texts and references to save weight.

You get the fundamentals of how to produce a useful, working, engineering drawing that the shop can actually use to produce a part (you would be amazed at how many CAD "experts" cannot do this.) Then you get detailed information on industrial processes and materials (casting, forging, cold heading, powder metallurgy, extruding, roll forming, electroforming, welding, plastic injection, etc.) Plus you get a good intro to standard design components like all types of fasteners, bearing, seals, couplings, clutches, speed reducers, etc.) Then, you also get excellent basics in speciality areas like sheet metal development, piping, jig and fixture design, fluid power, and structural drafting. The sections on beam equations, trusses, and strength of materials are quite clearly written and requires only a working knowlege of trig. You top it off with an appendix that covers everything from conversions and fastener specs to fit types and geometric tolerancing.

Whenever I get disgusted and start to question why I am still doing this after so many others have gotten out, I pick up this text and flip through it. It reminds me that America used to be known as the land of engineers- real engineers.

Having started in engineering as a draftsman more than 40 years ago, I have seen them all ... and in my humble opinion this is the best book of its kind ever written. The authors, Jensen and Helsel, have bypassed most of the fluff, like how to sharpen your pencil, and go directly to the heart of the matter. They have packed more pertinent, practical how-to information and technical reference data in this book than you will find in any other five books of its size. The book is easy to read, and to find specifically what you need. Proper and in-depth coverage is given to the very latest in drafting standards in both metric and inch systems; including limits and fits, geometric tolerancing, shop practices, and also standard parts.

I started using this first edition of this book more than 20 years ago, and have found no other to compare with it, or any of the succeeding editions. If I had only one book to take with me to the job, it would be this one.

Although one should never view the future exclusively through rose-coloured glasses, there is a widespread tendency in our society to take a decidedly negative outlook.
Enterprise 2000 by Michael B. Davie breaks free of that mindset with an uplifting, thought-provoking and inspiring look at a future rich with opportunity.
Upbeat stories on how billionaires such as Ron Joyce of Tim Hortons fame and Mike DeGroote of Laidlaw fame fill the pages of this business oriented coffee table book. Their stories and success tips are truly educational and enlightening.
Enterprise 2000 is a well-written, terrific book that also features a lot of superb photography.
It's also a message of encouragement and a challenge to the rest of us to get off our butts and achieve great things.

If you want to know how the Hamilton area is preparing to meet the chalenges of the new millennium, be sure to read this book. There's even an entire chapter on how the new generation is getting ready for what lies ahead. This book is very informative and it also features terrific photography of Southern Ontario scenes. I highly recommend it.

The book Enterprise 2000 is really cool! It discusses the way the businesses work and how the financial companies work. It is a really cool book and it has beautiful pictures and very descriptive articles. I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars because it's a really good book. Read it for yourself.

I was one of those people who never voted and never had an opinion on anything political. But after reading PET's views and thoughts about Canada and her people, I can say I am a Liberal. This book helped me come to a more complete vision on what a Canadian should strive to be. I was looking for a guide to help me understand Canada, and without Trudeau I would still be in the dark. In a world where there is no left or right and everyone just flip flops around the middle, this book stands up for what being a Liberal is about. The book doesn’t dictate, it just cuts out the BS and leaves you with something to think about. You will get slapped in the face with the honest and straight to the point style of the book.

Trudeauites search no more! In this small book, you'll find all of Trudeaus quotes and thoughts, culled from thousands of pages of materials. They are grouped by relevant section (Quebec sovereignty, etc) and the quotes used make great conversation starters. Love Trudeau or hate him, this book gives both sides plenty of ammo.

"The Essential Trudeau" is a well crafted novel that manages to amalgamate all of Trudeau's views on politics into one pocketbook sized novel. What made it very interesting was its ability to seize the reader with it simplicity. Unlike most other political books, this one manages to use language that can be understood by the youngest of Trudeauites. Pierre Trudeau himself contributes to the novel by adding new information on his views and justification for past political decisions while he was in office. This is a very brave book that looks at the views of a man considered to be Canada's most influential Prime Minister. An entire range of topics are covered in this book, including "The state of Quebec nationalism" and "The Role of the state". I highly recomend this novel, as it presents the views of a man who will go down in history as a true liberal.

In 1999 The Fall of the King was nominated as the best book to be written by a danish author in the 20th century. Two major danish newspapers made the top-10 choice, and this JVJ novel got its number one celebration by both readers, publishers and reviewers. I have read it twice, and are now halvways into its psykologically dramas the third time, and its words has never been better. JVJ's way of putting our words together is unike.

This is surely the masterwork of the Nobel Prize winning Danish author, Johannes V. Jensen. The book mixes facts from Denmarks history from 1497 to 1543 with the fictional life and emotional turmoil of the student, Mikkel Thøgersen. Mikkel's life is contrasted with the life and times of the king of the period, Christian II, and we follow them through the bloodbath of Stockholm, war, civil war wich were the reason for the fall of the king. Mikkel is a person who cannot make friends with the world and himself and therefore kills, steals and rapes - all because of his dispair: It is impossible for him to live, because he is out of touch with what is really valuable: The love of a woman, his small hometown's life, nature. This book is a masterpiece, not because of its storyline but because of the dramatic poetic images, the wild visions, the modern way of describing the most extreme emotions in a man.

In 1999 The Fall of the King was nominated as the best book to be written by a danish author in the 20th century. Two major danish newspapers made the top-10 choice, and this JVJ novel got its number one celebration by both readers, publishers and reviewers. I have read it twice, and are now halvways into its psykologically dramas the third time, and its words has never been better. JVJ's way of putting our words together is unike.

I bought this book for a stress reduction through movement class but I ended up using it alot more than just in the class. I still look to it as reference and it has led to me getting other books and learning more about wholistic and eastern medicines and practices that I'm glad I know. I've been able to be healthier and just understand what all those tai chi and meditation and chiropractors,etc. are doing. I've saved some money on medications and doctor visits thanks in part to this book. Anyways for a college textbook it is and probably will be the cheapest I'll ever spend. But for a book that outlives its classroom usefulness yes it's great. I'm just sad it is no longer in print but at least it's available here.

I borrowed the book from a friend. I liked it so much, and decided to buy one. Like the name, it showed you how to stay healthy the natural way. I recommend you to read. Especially those who are disappointed with the modern medicine, should read it.

Full-color photographs and charts outline step-by-step approaches to many varied methods of natural medicine. Balancing Yin and Yang, creating colorful mandalas, acupuncture as anesthesia, whole-body healing, and a wider view of osteopathy are only a few of the many topics covered. Meditation, biofeedback, hypnosis, massge, reflexology, yoga, nutrition, herbs, and many more complementary therapies are investigated. This wonderful text is well-organized and well-indexed, a perfect tutorial for beginners or reference book for practitioners. This is a must-have for the natural healing enthusiast!

an excellent and articulate book for people interested in the process of creating a business of any kind. this writer is remarkabvly gifted

Ben Barry brings a fresh new approach to the interrelationship between models, the media and society. When a realization that models were not generally representative of normal people dawned on Ben, he naturally asked himself why things happened they way they did. Why are the models that we see daily on TV, in print ads and magazines these rare anomolies of the human form? What is their purpose? Ben, then a young high school student, set out to find modeling jobs for his friends and subsequently become their modeling agent. He represented women and men of all colors, shapes and ages following upon the notion that these were real people and that these were the people that society wanted to see advertising products.

As a young, innovative entrepreneur, Ben has now built up the Ben Barry Agency to be an agency recognized across the planet as having models who are people. Achieving this, however, was not an easy feat. He documents many of his tribuations during Toronto's Fashion Week and with make-up mega-power L'Oreal as his models failed to offer these industry standards what they wanted.

Most importantly, Ben pushes forward the notion that business and a benevolent social good can work hand-in-hand despite many misconceptions about corporate organizations. Rectifying societal wrongs can be done however the business of correcting these injusticies needs to make a profit such that they can continue to make a difference. Ben discusses how creating inclusive media images of models and earning money work in tandem allowing his agency to generate income while continuing to push the belief that all people from all walks of life should be represented in our media.

I highly suggest reading this unique account as it is bound to not only inspire, but force all of us to think critcally about changes that we would like to see in our world.

This book was an interesting read. Part of it was a story about a Canadian school kid who tranformed a hobby he had beginning at age 14 into a successful modeling agency. Another part of it had to do with describing the nuts and bolts of starting a small business and expanding it later. And then there was the author's message throughout the book that he thinks it's a good idea to have a business that is consistent with one's personal values.

Some might argue this book is nothing more than an advertising piece for the author's business: Ben Barry Agency. I must say, if that's why the author wrote this book, he did a pretty good job of accomplishing his goal. But the book has value for aspiring entrepreneurs, too. It tells the story of how the author made his business happen over time. And those stories don't often find their way into print.

Small businesses normally are started by people who merely want to enter a market and compete within it to make a profit. They accept the industry norms, the competition and clients within the market as givens. They may try to differentiate a bit so they can steal market share, but they normally don't try to buck the system too much. The story in this book is not about a normal small business. And I hope readers don't read it as tough it is. The author indeed bucked the system. But I certainly recommend the story be read and analyzed and hopefully used in some fashion when developing a business plan of your own.

I loved every time I saw the author talk about business plans, business models, and strategic planning. This is what entrepreneurship is all about. Do the research, the planning, and then write it up in the form of a business plan with a good business model included.

The author was a natural at marketing from a young age. Early in the book he boasts that he did not do any reading about business, nor had he taken any classes or seminars. But the thought processes he describes he went through back when he was 14 had a lot to do with sound marketing logic. He was big on reading soon thereafter, and he wasn't shy getting up in front of people and talking. And he wasn't afraid to reach out for counsel, help, and making cold calls on the phone.

My favorite chapters in the book were 15 and 16 which considered the following ten (or 20) questions:

1. What issue matters to me? Does business matter to it?
2. Who am I? Who can I become?
3. What do I know? What must I find out?
4. For whom am I speaking? To whom am I speaking?
5. What little do I have? How can I make the most of it?
6. What do I have to offer? How is it better than what others offer?
7. How do I sell my product? Do I also sell myself?
8. How do I run my business? Am I the boss?
9. Is my life my businss? Does my life include my business?
10. How do I make it to the top? How do I stay there?

I would have liked the book better if there had not been so much emphasis placed on the need for acceptance of non-traditional models in the fashion industry. I understand what the author was talking about, but I think he went a little heavy on it. And I don't think I needed to know that the author is gay. His sexual preference was irrelevant regarding the subject matter of the book. 5 stars!

Donald Graves writes a detailed and enjoyable account of one of the worst-managed campaigns in U.S. Army history, the fall 1813 invasion of Canada, that resulted in the debacle at Freeman's Farm.

The invasion was led (if you can call it leading) by General James Wilkinson. Wilkinson is easily the biggest scoundrel to ever wear an American uniform. While leader of the U.S. Army, he was also in the pay of Spain, to promote Spanish "interests" in America. He participated in the Aaron Burr conspiracy, only to switch sides and testify against Burr. He also tried to get Kentucky to secede from the Union. During the Freeman's Farm campaign, he dosed himself so heavily with laudenum that the soldiers thought he was drunk. Due to illness and medication, he never appeared at the front. Which fits his character, as he did not believe that a general's place was at the front. How this farce ever got and held command is unbelievable!

Yet he did, and thanks to his lack of talent, and to the ineptitude of other officers and politicians, the lives of many brave American soldiers were wasted. But Graves is quick to point out that from this disaster a new American army arose months later. This army was stripped of the incompetent officers and led by a new breed of warriors; men such as Jacob Brown and Winfield Scott. This army would go on to victories in 1814, and set the standard for the professional U.S. Army of the early 19th century.

Graves' writing is excellent. He can make movements of armies clear, and still go into detail about the travails of common soldiers. The battle descriptions are very good, helped by several excellent maps. These make it easy to follow the flow of the battle.

Having read this book, I ordered "Where Right and Glory Lead! The Battle of Lundy's Lane, 1814" and "Red Coats & Grey Jackets: The Battle of Chippawa, 5 July 1814" by the same author. I can't wait to read those books!

The 1813 campaign against Montreal must rank as one of the most dismal episodes in US Military History. No wonder it takes a Canadian like Donald Graves to write about it, as no American historian has wanted to touch it! Yet there is much food for thought here, and we as Americans have a lot to learn from our poor showing at the battles of Crysler's Farm and Chatanquay. In America we are often found of pointing out how the British professionals lacked imagination and iniative. This seemed to be so during the Revolution. How did it change for the War of 1812? The fundimental difference appears to be that the 13 Colonies took a defensive posture against the Britishin the Revolution, while in the War of 1812 the United States was deffinitely the aggressor. Yet the laws of the United States did not provide well for offensive operations. State Militias could deny crossing international boundries, and did so freqeuently during this conflict. Also, the leadership in the United States army was exceedingly poor in this period. With the likes of James Wilkinson, John Boyd and Wade Hampton leading the US invasion against Montreal, what else but failure could be expected! Here we have the classic example of political patronage and connections providing an officer corps that was totally incompetent. In contrast, the British, often accused of having such in their army, were made up totally of competent, professional individuals.

The American Army that went to war in 1812 was as bad or worse than the Spanish army of the period. The American troops were half trained at best, brave yes, but that could not compensate against discipline and professionalism. At the battle of Chantanguay a small force of Canadien Voltigeurs and Indians under de Salaberry managed to rebuff Wade Hampton. Canadians have made much of this action, but in reality with the uninspired generalship of Hampton, defeat was almost assured. This poor showing was compounded a few weeks later at Crysler's Farm where a much bigger American army was roughly handled by a smaller professional British force less than half its size. Wilkinson who lead this part of the army demonstrated leadhership as bad or worse than Hampton. In fact he was ill throughout the battle, leaving command in the field to John Boyd, a mercinary soldier of low fortune. The British, under the inspired Colonel Morrison had only the 49th & 89th regiments of foot and a few light companies and militia to hold off Boyd's horde. Yet, the sheer professionalism of the British and their allies enabled them to do so. Morrison deployed his well-drilled regulars in an enclosed field, forcing the Americans to take him head-on. The bumbling American columns were shot to pieces as they emerged from the woods, yet the prolonged firefight which ensued would prove costly to the Britsih as well. Still, there could be no denying that the Americans were woefully under trained to take on such professionals. Boyd withdrew after two hours of desultry fighting, losing close to 500 men killed, wounded and captured. British losses were less than half. With this second repulse, the American drive on Montreal was ended.

Canada owes a great debt to the professionalism of the British regulars who defended her borders. Popular Canadian history has tried to down-play the contributions of the British troops, while boasting the role of the Indians and Militia. This is nonesense, and Mr.Graves more than sets the record straight here.

Overall this is Mr. Grave's longest and most impressive work. His two previous books on the battles of Chippewa and Lundy's Lane brought these less well known actions to light, dispelling many popular myths in the process. Here Graves has shed light on a very dark aspect of the war for the United States, and one that is not well known in this country. American readers may find it painful to read, yet instructional. Also, in the ashes of defeat would come redemption in the following year when Jacob Brown and Winfield Scott conduct the 1814 Niagara campaign which salvages to some exstent the shattered reputation of the United States army. In reading this book one can see that we Americans are a people that enjoy war, yet are not professional in our conduct of it. These are lessons we need to take to heart for the present day.

In conclusion, Grave's book is well written, full of many interesting bios on the personalities involved, and provides numerous addenda. This reader cannot recommend it highly enough. It is his best work on the War of 1812 so far. Military buffs of the period will enjoy its up-close description of the fighting, providing as it does an interesting example of Napoleanic tactics applied in a secondary theater of war. All War of 1812 nuts should have it in their collection.

Donald Graves continues his expert telling of the tale of the fighting on the Niagara frontier in the War of 1812 with this chronicle of the abortive invasion of Canada by the inexpert American forces under the incompetent command of the treasonous General James Wilkinson. Factual, colorful, and authoritative, this book is a must for any student of the War of 1812 in particular and the Napoleonic period in general. Frequently overlooked as a very small sideshow compared to the huge conflagration in Europe, the War of 1812 is really America's, and Canada's, forgotten war. Fought over immense distances under incredible hardship with very small armies, the stakes fought for were unbelievably high, and the difficulty of waging war in this primitive wilderness, and the hardships endured by the troops, is simply unbelievable. High deeds and much incompetence takes place in this volume, where an outnumbered, but much more skilled and better led, British/Canadian force badly defeats an American army whose only advantage is numbers. However, some of the American regimental commanders take note and learn their lessons, and came roaring back the next year at Chippawa, Lundy's Lane, and Fort Erie to win back pride, prestige, and to fight the British and Canadians to a Mexican standoff, not quite winning, but not losing either. Expertly written by THE authority on the period on the Niagara frontier, with the additional treat of a forward by Col John Elting, noted authority on the Napoleonic period and perhaps the greatest American military historian of the last half of the twentieth century, this book is a treat and definitely a must have.