Canada Books

John Glassco writes about the Paris arts scene of the 1920s, telling the story of an artist as a young man. It's not always true, but it is always fun, as fiction and autobiography blend to create a good read. Has all the sex, boozing and pathos that was typical of 1920s Paris as its been memorialized in literature, whether that's a good thing or not is for you to decide.

It was 1927; John Glassco was 17 when he left Montreal to go to Paris with the intention of becoming a famous writer. He kept a journal of his life there for the next five years. He was convinced he was a genius who would one day produce a masterpiece. The irony is that the masterpiece turned out to be these memoirs edited and published when he was 59.

It's good to see that John Glassco's hilarious if not always reliable memoir of his youthful exploits in Paris is back in print. From what I gather, this edition includes an introduction that comments on the fictitiousness of some events described in the book and its real date of composition. (I'll give you a clue: it's later than you think.) So I would like to exhort everyone and anyone with an appetite for stories about the good old days in Paris, when James Joyce, Ernest Hemingway and Gertrude Stein roamed freely, to pick up this book and enjoy themselves.

However, you should bear in mind that around 25 per cent of it is fiction. Also, if you really want to know who's who, you are better off with the 1995 OUP edition with notes by Michael Gnarowski. This contains a good introduction and reveals the real identity of many thinly veiled characters in an appendix. (Djuna Barnes' lover Thelma Wood is renamed Emily Pine - you get the idea.) But if you are less detective minded than me, I guess this new edition will do just fine.

For further reading, I warmly recommend Being Geniuses Together by the very outspoken Robert McAlmon, with later material interpolated by Kay Boyle, yet another unreliable narrator. Both of these memoirs are infinitely more entertaining than Stein's The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas or Hemingway's maudlin A Moveable Feast. The last of these was hailed as a return to form, but I believe it contains much material that was actually written *earlier* than you'd think. Quite the opposite of Glassco in that respect!

This books was just as great as MIdnight Confessions II - I am really looking forward to Midnight Confessions III - Really want read Belle's story!!

Faye Grantham has recently inherited Perdition House, a bordello from yesteryear that still houses some of the ladies of the night, but in ghostly fashion.

Faye loves her new home, and she loves her love life. After breaking up with her fiancé she now has two lovers, Liam, a lawyer, and Mark, a businessman. In addition to her busy social life, Faye runs TimeStop, a vintage clothing store.

The ladies of Perdition, however, are far from inactive, despite the fact they are no longer with the living. They are sending Faye dreams. Dreams that show her their lives, and that leave her feeling more than a little randy. Each lady that tells a tale showing how she found her true love will be able to pass into the afterlife to be with him. When Liam starts receiving dreams, too, Faye knows that the ladies are trying to tell her something more than just about their lives. She just has to figure out what it is they want to say.

Midnight Confessions II is a fantastically inventive story with an imaginative plot and lively characters, both living and dead. I fell in love with all of them, and loved reading their stories. What makes this story so wonderful is the characters, which come alive on the page.

Readers will enjoy entering the lives of the ladies of the evening and seeing how they found true love. They will also enjoy watching Faye decide between the two men in her life, and coming to terms with how each one treats her, and what they want for her.

Midnight Confessions II is an interesting trip into the paranormal that will fascinate its readers.

Amelia
reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

Faye Grantham inherited the run down Perdition House bordello from her recently deceased great-aunt. Sight unseen her plan is to sell the property as soon as possible. However, upon seeing the place, she has a sudden urge in her gut to live here.

Faye quickly learns she is not alone as the ghosts of those who peddled their flesh reside there. They fill her nights with erotic tales of their escapades while her luscious lawyer Liam and business mogul Mark makes those dreams real. As she relishes her new lifestyle, Faye worries that she may still have to sell as she lacks the money to maintain this house of pleasure.

This sequel to MIDNIGHT CONFESSIONS is a delightful supernatural erotic tale in which the spirited women of pleasure provide refreshing pleasure to the entertaining story line. The living trio consists of full blooded characters although the males' blood affirm that there is enough to feed one head at a time while Faye compares their high octane performances not to each other, but to the tales told by her "roommates". Bonnie Edwards writes such a heated tale that the audience will crave more Midnight Confessions trois.

Harriet Klausner

Please read this extraordinary multi-leveled poem. Starting with the great Berkeley fire of 1991, Scott meditates on the tragedy in history which up to now has been chiefly the experience of those on other continents. From a Buddhist perspective, he distills a lifetime of teaching, political activism and investigative research into this final volume of his long poem Seculum. Echoing Dante, and a millenarian monk from the year 1000, he sees the ills of our time as stemming from covetousness. At the same time he discerns hope for America if it can pursue the aspirations of its founding fathers for a better society. He concludes with reflections on how language can help us to the right way in which to love our world.

Peter Dale Scott's beautiful and ethereal poem "Minding the Darkness" reveals an immensely
civilized author coming to grips with the many crimes of civilization, expressing the intersection
of the poet's life and the twentieth century in a way which illuminates the efforts of a truly
engaged intellectual to document experiences of collective denial and complicity with
horror which characterize political modernity.

In this extraordinary poem, Peter Dale Scott explores the depth and scope of his humanity as he takes the reader on a brilliant and surprising journey through the landscapes of not only his own personal history, but the history of politics, philosophy, ideas and literature.

Like all great poetry, Scott feeds our souls because his poem tells the truth and because his words, in their beautiful and erudite combinations, point us toward the shimmering reality that lies beyond words and within each of us, in each moment.

Some poetry tells the truth with great simplicity. Minding the Darkness is a complex and multi-layered epic, a garden of intellectual delight. Because Scott impeccably refuses the temptation of making a statement about the nature of life, and instead leads us directly into an experience of his reality, the reader is free to roam the sweeping, unpredictable and exciting scope of his intellectual, political and ontological knowledge. Amazingly, the weight of his intellect does not crush his soul. It is through the tenderness and vulnerability of the man that otherwise distant and esoteric references become accessible to the reader, as alive and affecting as the poet himself.

This is a book that my 5 year old son and I both love and we revisit it over and over again. I usually let him choose the 2 books I'll read before bed and this book is chosen many times. The story is engaging for him and me, the illustrations have a surreal quality that make you feel like you've been there. There is even the lesson about working hard, teamwork, and not underestimating anyone. A great childs book that adults can enjoy also. The illustrations are dreamlike, and the story is one of determination and working to make your dreams come true that is sure to delight any kid (or Dad!).

This was a really good book. I liked the characters.
I really wish they lived in my neighbourhood. I would
join them at the outdoor rink near my house. I'm not
not sure I would be able to keep up with Marcel though, and
Danny seems pretty hard to score on, but I would try.
The pictures in the book are very nice. They make
you imagine what the players were going through.
This is an exciting book.
I can't wait until The Final Game is published.


Paul H. Age 7

This is a book that my 5 year old son and I both love and we revisit it over and over again. I usually let him choose the 2 books I'll read before bed and this book is chosen many times. The story is engaging for him and me, the illustrations have a surreal quality that make you feel like you've been there. There is even the lesson about working hard, teamwork, and not underestimating anyone. A great childs book that adults can enjoy also.

The latest addition to the "Moon Handbooks" travel guide series, San Juan Islands: Including Victoria And The Gulf Islands is a travel guide precisely written by Don Pitcher for vacationers looking to make their own travel and entertainment choices by create a unique and personalized travel plan suited entirely and specifically to their own personal tastes. With key information on accommodations, activities, points of interest, transportation, history, climate, and more of each island, San Juan Islands is an excellent travel planning and guidebook resource which is especially recommended as a quick and easy reference.

Book is packed with useful information for traveling in the San Juan Islands. Includes a number of islands and how to get there. Topics cover a variety of topics for people who have different interests: camping, bed and breakfasts, bicycling, restaurants, beaches, museums, resorts. Makes it easier to plan a vacation. Highly recommended.

This is an excellent book for anyone interested in traveling to the San Juan Islands. It gives helpful advice on everything from hotels to restaurants to activities. It has more indepth information than most other travel books. I found their recommendations on ferry travel very useful. Highly recommend.

My Favorite Tree by Diane Iverson features specific gifts trees have for children. It inspires me to write a family book on how trees have had special meaning for me in my life. However, her illustrations and discriptions would be difficult to match. As it includes trees from many areas of the country I would think all children and adults could identify with this beautiful book -- which by the way includes detailed facts also.

It has interesting facts about historic uses; native American, colonial settlers and pioneers of the westward movement. Also covers the many ways trees are vital to wildlife. My kids liked the maps of the trees native habitats. The detailed art work gave a good representation of the trees.

Is it the trees or the art? This book is just really beautiful.... they have all of my favorites, too, like persimmon and aspen ;-) Buy this for your kid and they'll become a tree major like me hehehe

I read this book primarily to find out whether Jean Chretien knew that 9/11 was an inside job and if he knew why Canada went along placidly in support of the war on terrorism . Although he does not answer the questions directly, he deals with them. He writes Putin told him that he believed the US military and the corporations involved in profiting from war were behind 9/11. They needed a new playground for testing their new war toys. In a totally different context in the book Jean Chretien writes that Canada could be invaded by the US at any time. Putting the two statements together I had my answers. He knew but he had no choice.
Well written book, easy to read and packed with insightful information.

Sheds a lot of light on the accomplishments of the Chretien government and the media-driven scandals that ultimately caused the downfall in 2003 under Paul Martin. Great book for readers from Canada as it shows the true side of Chretien, something that was often muddled in the press. Readers from other countries will see the impact Canada had on world affairs under this leader, and come to understand how the Canadian political scene and "state of mind" differs very much from other countries, especially the United States.

As he always seemed to be, this is an honest and humorous account of his years as the prime minister. He is probably one the best Canada has seen in recent history. And the book is not only his memoirs, but also is full of lessons for those interested in politics, policy makings, and respect. Every Canadian should read this book, whether you like him or now (I know of very few people who don't praise his work and leadership abilities).

Narrow Gauge Railways of Canada

This is a well-written and nicely-illustrated book by one of Canada's foremost railroad historians. The 2005 edition has 32 pages of color photographs that were not in the original 1973 edition. The book is divided into 23 chapters, ranging fron one or two pages for the smallest lines to 38 pages for the White Pass & Youkon and 44 pages for the Newfoundland Railway.

Each chapter provides a summary of the railway covered, as opposed to an in-depth history, so it is informative yet easy to read; and the text is nicely-supplemented with maps and locomotive rosters. People with a general interest in railways, or a specific interest in Canadian railways or narrow gauge lines should find this book enjoyable and a worthwhile addition to their library.

Railroad gauges in Canada have varied quite a bit. In 1851, the legislature passed a law that all rails laid in Canada would be 5'6". This was to keep Yankee domination of the railroads from happening. The fact that you then couldn't send a car from Toronto to New York wasn't important. This lasted until the 1870's.

Canada's narrow gauges came from two sources. One was the 'British Metric,' not really metric, but 3'6". The other, more common in the west was copied from the very successful D&RG of Colorado which used a 3' gauge.

There were some 17 narrow gauge railways in Canada. Generally speaking they were in areas where the narrow gauge meant significant savings in construction costs. The tighter turning radius meant that a lot less earth had to be moved in mountains.

This book is a loving collection of the pictures and stories of these railways. And lest you think of narrow gauge as something of the last century, there is a great picture on page 115 of a diesel engined train leaving a tunnel and crossing a bridge. What makes is to great is that everything in the picture, the tunnel, the bridge, the engines, the cars is of later than 1968 vintage.

Lovingly Done, Great Pictures, Good Book.

Twenty-three short histories of Canadian railways and tramways are presented in text and in numerous black & white photos. Timetables, engine erection drawings, and time-mileage charts are included for some of the lines. The strength of the book is the presentation of these railways which may otherwise not be known. Those who love Canadian railway history or obscure narrow gauge railroads will find this book a delight.

I read a short interview with Mr. Malarek in a Montreal newspaper, and had to buy this book.

It is wonderfully written, and it made me mad, sad, and frustrated at the plight of the poor women in Eastern Europe and other locations that have to endure the horror that their lives have become. I can't help but think about them every day now, and I pray that this book will help get the word out and something will be done while governments look the other way.

I commend Mr. Malarek for his work. I plan to pass this book around to everyone I know. A must read.

When we struggle to come to terms with the unimaginable horror of the Holocaust, we often hear the question, "How could the Germans just sit by and let this happen?" It seems that history is repeating itself as the abduction, confinement, rape, torture, and murder of the millions of women and children forced to work in the sex trade continues unchecked. This is not a foreign problem. It is fueled by our own lust, corruption, apathy, and fear and then tragically blamed on its innocent victims.

This is a book that will make you shocked, it will make you angry, and it will make you cry. But above all, it will make visible to you one of the greatest evils of our time, and hopefully give you the will to make a difference.

The Natashas is a very painful book to read. At the same time it is a book all of us MUST read. Mr. Malarek, one of our best investigative journalists gives a complete picture of the horror of sex trafficking, in particular, the recently booming sex trade of Eastern European women & children. To be precise in all respects, it is a book about the slavery of our time, brutal, murderous, heartbreaking enslavement of women and children within the very border of the western world.

With first hand information through personal interviews and field investigations, Mr. Malarek illustrates and analyses the nature of this human misery. But above all, he gives us a picture of the horrors these girls suffer: ”Recruited” by deception, coercion, or abduction, 200,000 girls each year from Eastern Europe are sold like cattle abroad to serve as sex slaves. They are tortured and threatened into submission. They are forced to take 10-30 clients a day. Many of them commit suicide, or become mentally sick, still more contract sexually transmitted diseases, have forced abortions, or babies who become orphans. Rarely do they escape their fate because they are invisible to us. Their owners make sure they blend into the local sex business environment, because they don’t speak the local languages, because policemen and politicians don’t care enough, because men who buy sex don’t care (or know) the crime they are paying to propagate, and most of all, because the public is not aware of it and many of us despise them.

This book is not about prostitution. It is about slavery. I thought I knew the subject until I read it, and I am glad I did.

This crime must be stopped. We must all learn about the nature of this problem and pursue to engage ourselves, our government, our law enforcement agencies, and our social sector to deal with it. And if you read this book, I promise that you will feel the same.

Now in an updated and expanded second edition, Natural Landscaping: Designing With Native Plant Communities by licensed architect and landscaping authority John Diekelmann and natural plan restoration expert Robert Schuster is a fascinating, "user friendly" instructional guide on basic landscaping principles, as well as cogent, authoritative advice on how to restore wetlands and introduce native plant species for wetlands, grasslands, forests, and more. Black-and-white photographs as well as an inset section of color plates wonderfully illustrate this meticulous, fact-filled, professional quality, highly recommended "how-to" guide for anyone aspiring to enhance or restore native plant communities.

Natural Landscaping is an essential resource for anyone interested in landscaping with native plants. The importance of learning to use native plants is so important as we face continuing droughts in various parts of the country, including here in Williamsburg, VA. The book is so full of information that I find myself going back to it often. Many thanks to the authors for this fine volume.

I have the 1982 edition of this book - I stumbled across it and have been amazed ever since that such a book was written in 1982 before this approach to gardening/landscaping was popular.
It is tailored to the midwest, but the technical solidity and sound design concepts should apply anywhere.