Canada Books

My husband and I think this is a great atlas for the United States and Canada. The neighboring states in the U.S. are green; and the state you are looking at is in white. This makes it very clear at a glance. Also, the Canadian portion of this Atlas is spectacular. The entire atlas is very easy to read. We really do like it and we are very glad we bought it.

I love atlases and purchase each yearly edition of Rand McNally. Not much changes from year-to-year, but this edition represents a vast improvement on recent versions. First, they changed the color scheme. Neighboring states are now in olive green, instead of yellow as they were in recent editions. This change helps make it more obvious where borders are and the maps are clearer than before. In addition, national parks are now bright green, and stand out much better (in prior editions, they were outlined with pink and blended in with neighboring highways). Of course, each year, they update the road construction areas, which I have been impressed with their accuracy. This edition also includes a wonderful section highlighting some lesser known events and road trips around the country. Finally, there is a useful section that includes website addresses for state tourism offices. Even if you have a recent edition of this atlas, I highly recommend the 2002 version. Happy travelling!

This Atlas is the only way to go when you need a comprehensive map of roads in North America -- and who doesn't need one of those? I recently used the new edition on a long road trip, and every road was right where the book said it would be.

Canadians served with the RAF from the outset of the war, and were represented in significant numbers in Bomber Command. Midway during the war, Group 6--an all-Canadian formation--was created, and this is it's story. I've read a number of Spencer Dunmore's books, and I'd have to say that this one is the best. Both readable and informative, this book really gives one a sense of what the war was like for members of this formation, and no doubt will be a book that will educate future generations on the role that Canadians played in the air offensive against the Third Reich.

As I have a great interest in the happenings of Bomber Command during W.W.II because my brother flew with 431 Iroquois Sqdn during this time. I have read the book and continue to use it as a reference when I need to know something. It is a "MUST" for anyone interested in the truth of what really went on and who were not there to witness it. I even managed to come accross the name of my brothers Pilot when he reported a run-in with a JU-88 If you are serious about this subject I strongly recomend this book as I have to a number of people already. Full marks to the authors for their research and for puting together something worthwhile to read

`Reap The Whirlwind' is one of the best books I have read in recent years on the men and machines of the Royal Air Force's Bomber Command during World War Two. First published in 1992 by Crecy Books Ltd this title tells the "untold" story of 6 Group, Canada's bomber force of WWII. As the title suggests the story is about the role of the Canadian contribution to the nighttime bomber campaign against occupied Europe during the Second World War.

However the stories within the book reflect the awful war as experienced by all bomber crews during this horrific campaign. I found the personal accounts to be sad, heroic and sometimes funny but the image that remained in my mind after finishing this book was the untold numbers of men who died and never had the chance to tell their stories. How many crews left their bases on a mission never to return and none of their comrades and families ever knew what happened to them?

They were swallowed up in the dark of night and became victims of German night-fighters or flak, their planes never seen again. After reading this book you'll get an understanding of what these men went through, some of the stories are just mind numbing. In particular is the story of Andrew C. Mynarski, 6 Group's sole Victoria Cross winner. This brave 27-year-old Canadian was a mid-upper gunner on a 419 Squadron Lancaster who lost his life during a mission in June 1944 (pages 276-278).

The narrative is fast paced, informative but never boring or dull. The story is well told and is a brilliant account of the harsh realities of an aerial bombing campaign as conducted by the RAF over Germany. The book starts with an introduction to the first bomber offensive in 1917 and finishes with an account of the 1990 reunion of the survivors. The authoritative text has numerous personal accounts of the aircrews woven into the story and overall the book reads well.

The only complaint I have with this book is the standard of the photographs. I would have liked more and of a better quality. Regardless of that this is still a great story and I think that anyone who has an interest in this period or who really wants to understand why these men did what they did and what happened to them then this is the book to read.

Mr.Graves does an excellent job descirbing an obscure, yet compelling battle of the War of 1812. Winfield Scott professionally trained and lead his famed brigade at Chippewa where he managed to get the better of the British in a brief, but hard fought firer-fight. The book correctly dispels many of the myths associated with this battle. Contrary to popular opinion, the British did not attack in column, as many histories of the war have asserted. The British were a linear army, they generally deployed and fought in a two rank line. This is how they fought and defeated Napeolean in Spain. It would have been illogical of them to have fought any other way at this battle. Although the British were known to employ the column on occasion, Chippewa was not one of them. Another myth dispelled is that Scott's brigade routed Gen. Riall's command. The British were bested in a fair-firefight, and retired in good order. They did not rout or run off the field as claimed in many works. Also, there is no documented evidence that Gen. Riall exclaimed "By God those are regulars!" when he saw Scott's brigade advancing in a professional manner against him. Graves asserts that this famous quote, found in every history on the War of 1812 was first used by Scott himself in his memoirs written many years later. Scott had a tendency to inflate his own importance and liked to refer to himself in the third person in order to do so! Still another myth associated with this battle is that the grey jackets worn by many of Scott's brigade were adopted by West Point to commemorate the battle. Evidence suggests that the US Military Academy had already adopted the grey jacket at least a year before the event. Scott had no particular preference whether his men wore grey or regualtion blue uniforms. All he was concerned with was a professional appearence. The grey jackets were sent because that was all that was available. Normally militia wore such uniforms in the US army.

Chippewa created quite a sensation in the States because it was one of the first battles the US regular army actually won against British regulars during the whole war. Up until this point the US regular army had not conducted itself much better than militia! The varied and un-even performance of the American army during the whole War of 1812 was no doubt quite vexing to the British. In a strange way it might have worked to the advantage of the Americans in some cases, although the often poor showing the army made in most engagements did not reflect well upon the young nations honor.

The real winners of this controversial battle was Winfield Scott and co. who would become the doyens of American military culture throughout the 19th century. In many respects the US army was founded on the Niagara Frontier in 1814, and not at Valley Forge in 1778. Chippewa and Lundy's Lane a few weeks later were important landmarks in this development. They deserve to be remembered. Thanks to Graves perhaps now they will be.

So stated the British commander on the field of Chippawa in July 1814 as the American Brigade commanded by Winfield Scott crossed the open field, closing ranks as men fell, and descended on the British battalions like 'gray doom.'

This outstanding volume by War of 1812 authority Donald Graves expertly tells the tale of the first stand up fight during the war where American regulars defeated and routed a British army. Expertly trained by Scott, the American Left Division of Jacob Brown was the best force the Americans fielded during the war. Using the excellent French 1791 Reglement, Scott untiringly trained his regulars in the Buffalo encampment and led them against the British until a wound at Lundy's Lane, after Chippawa, knocked him out of the war.

This rousing tale 'of much fight' is one of the best battle narratives written, and paints in broad strokes the desperate fighting on the Niagara frontier in 1814, where American, Briton, and Canadian fought against each other in some of the most desperate battles of the period.

This excellent volume is indispensable for a realistic view of the period, and the research that went into the book is intense, accurate, and tells a tale of valor, ingenuity, and the terror of the early 19th century battlefield. It is a must to understand the period and belongs on the bookshelf of every historian and enthusiast of the period.

Donald Graves has become the foremost modern military historian of the War of 1812 with the publication of this book and his previous "The Battle of Lundy's Lane" (Baltimore, 1993). The Battle of Chippawa was an American victory on July 5, 1814 during the early stages of the United States' last attemp to invade Canada. The battle was marked by the emergence of a professional Regular Army that could fight the British Redcoats on their own terms and defeat them in an even fight. The British commander, Major General Phineas Riall, contemptuous of troops he took to be grey-clad American militia, uttered the famous phrase "Why, these are Regulars!" as the Americans successfully maneuvered and defeated his forces. (A modern painting of the battle complete with Riall's quote hangs in most American Army bases and Reserve Centers today.) Graves is a master of the sources and is a talented writer. His book is fully illustrated and contains adequate maps to follow the action along the Niagara River. He applies his knowledge and critical analysis equally to the British, Canadians, and Americans and creates a model of a battle analysis within the context of the larger campaign. His earlier work on the bloodier but inconclusive Battle of Lundy's Lane contains the story of the campaign's outcome: that the Americans lost so many soldiers at Chippawa and Lundy's Lane that they were forced on the defensive, but were able to defeat the British attempt to force them back across the Niagara River at the siege of Fort Erie. With the coming of winter the Americans retreated back into New York state, only to learn that the war had come to an end. Graves is a military historian with the Canadian Department of National Defense and is perhaps the best military historian now working in the field of the War of 1812

I stumbled upon this book at a shop on the waterfront in Halifax over the Christmas holiday, and promptly bought all the copies they had! I was very excited to see it, because my parents worked on the show. The photos are fantastic and the interviews interesting. My only issue is that there are several pictures of my father with the wrong name listed! Otherwise, very impressive and well worth the purchase, expecially since that oversight probably matters most only to me. LOL!

From the very first pages, the reader embarks on a journey and the author sails you through photographs and information that will absolutely delight any fan of the hugely successful television series Singalong Jubibee. It is one of those books that is a masterpiece and any fan of the CBC show will be thrilled. It's great to read about very famous Anne Murray and others. The book tells us where the performers are today -- and if they are living or dead. I can't recommend this book high enough. No wonder it seems to be out of print on Amazon already.

Sing A Long Jubilee was one of the best Musical Canadian Television shows of our time, it was a disappointment that it went off the air, but while it was on it gave dozens of singers an opportunity to show their talents on air. The book gives you a glimse into the past, and the singers that graced the Canadian Stage at a time when Canada wasn't popular. If it wasn't for Singalong Jubilee then we would never have known the greatest Canadian Singers like Gene MacLallan, Anne Murray, and dozens of others. Thank God for Singalong Jubilee, because of this show we would never have known what Canada Music was all about. Buy the book - buy a piece of Canadian Musical History.

In these stories of escape from maritime disasters, Chatham paints vivid portraits of human heroism in the face of danger. Based largely on survivor interviews, these true stories made me feel the hopes and fears of people facing incredible odds. Chatham gives us the hard facts culled from official investigation reports but concentrates on the human element. His gripping writing and expert story telling made this book impossible to put down!

I was honoured to have received a copy of this book from the Author himself and highly recommend it. While the target audience is school age children and young adults, readers of all ages will enjoy the gripping detail of these stories. Take it from this ancient mariner, you won't be disappointed.

This book is part of a series of Famous Canadian Amazing Stories. You don't have to be Canadian to appreciate these accounts. These are *human* stories. The author, Mark Chatham, is a Coast Guard radio officer with the Canadian Marine Communications and Traffic Services (MCTS). As a trained Emergency Services employee and a professional writer, he's able to organize these stirring tales of human response to deadly peril on the beautiful but potentially deadly Atlantic Ocean.

The three stories covered in this book are Blowout on the Vinland, an account of a rescue of personnel on a drilling rig; The Last Voyage of the Rowan Gorilla I, a fascinating tale of the struggle to save a rig and her crew during transport; and The Sinking of the Flare. Each story was researched by consulting eyewitnesses (when available), responders and official documents. The stories contain so much data and so many details that they may stand alone as concise case study digests. Common patterns emerge from the stories: Some people are heroes, and others struggle with moments of terrible weakness and fear, and most often people find themselves in that very human "gray area" in the middle. Good training makes for conditioned response to crises. As a fellow public safety employee, SAR volunteer and EMT in the States, my eyes teared up from time to time not only at the plight of the victims, but at the selfless responders of all stripes who would be rescuers, even if they themselves risked becoming victims.

A great feature of this book is a sort of chat with the author at the end where we get a chance to learn more about his experience and his contact with the figures in the stories.

In addition to the wrenching stories of the struggle for suvival, the author also tells us about lessons that were learned from each of these tragic incidents. Those lessons, which will save untold numbers of persons in the future, are a part of the legacy of those lost. Keep an eye out for additional book(s) in this series by this author.

Return to the Drum is more than a memoir. Morris is a thoughtful, respectful and self-critical writer. Her descriptions - often recalling actual conversations - are fresh and lively. She has a great respect and admiration for the people in the community. It is eminently readable

Return to the Drum is beautifully written, interesting,honest, thought-provoking,and in every way, excellent. I do hope that everyone who has an interest in the needs of Aboriginal people - and that should be all of us -- will read it as an important and well-told message

I loved this book as it contains the elements I enjoy in a good read - stories of ordinary people living, laughing and coming to appreciate each other. It is about a people's strength as they survive and adapt with dignity to the many challenges inflicted upon them across the years. It is about the author, a young Welsh teacher, who goes to the Arctic and ends up learning a great deal! The two stories intertwine as we learn about the Dene Indian's daily life in this northern community and their past. You finish the book having laughed, cried, being angry and ultimately caring about these people. It is beautifully written, interesting, honest and thought-provoking. It is a must read for anyone interested in the needs of Aboriginal people -and that should be all of us.

when i was yound this was my favorite book. the author is from my hometown well... city. the cover looks HORRIBLE i know. it makes it look like a sci-fi or something...odd... but its so not that!. It is about Ringo whos parents are fans of...Ringo..(can't remember the band) and he meets a girl...named...summer? anyways...its really great for 9-12 year olds. girls and boys. if your a teacher you have to read this to your class. they will love it garenteed.

"Riding Planet Earth" is quite simply, a good book. The plot flows well and the characters are easy to identify with. The story is interesting, and it outlines some of the hardest things a teenager goes through. Two thumbs up!

As a volunteer at the Morrisonville School (Morrisonville, NY), I have just finished reading Riding Planet Earth to a sixth-grade class where it was a big hit. It was easy to identify with Ringo, the kid with the odd name, coming into a new community and a new school. Even though they had to wait a week (or sometimes two weeks) to hear more, the students seemed to be right in tune with the action and eager to continue with the story. The concise writing and real life situations made it an ideal choice for reading aloud because it kept their attention throughout. Anyone who has ever felt like an oddball or had a family situation which is different from the "norm" would feel a kinship with the characters. I think the author's collaboration with an actual school class in writing the book has made it especially relevant to youth. This was really evident to me when students were quick to identify with Ringo and give their opinions on his actions.

What Chris & Scott did was allow me to stroll down memory land; bring me back to my younger days growing up in Timmins. The heritage, the way of life. Wow! I am saddened that my 3 boys and daughter will miss out on 'The Rink'. For my peer group, our families were all poor. We had no money. 'The Rink' broke down ALL barriers. The Mahovolich's, Vail's, Lever's.Babando's, Hannigans's, Prentice's, Guidlon's and so on had no money,. But, when we went into 'The Rink', we were equal. And we excelled. 'The Rink' was a way of life. It transcened what living was all about; it really was a contradiction n terms as 'sociologists' would say. For so many of us it was like dying and going to heaven; nothing was wrong with it. When we walked in, the smell was distinct and sooooo familiar. We knew we were at 'home'! We felt secure. When we entered the dressing roomss, we were in a differnet 'mode', one that was somewhat esoteric. The smell of stinky, musty equipment within the sacred, hallowed dressing room was sooo sweet. As our collegues (players) filled in, the commaraderie (as Ken Dryden so poignantly points out in his book THE GAME) is instantly redefined from individuals to a 'team'. 'The Rink' allowed us to be many things to many people. We were more than players and 'they were more than 'fans'. In some respect it ('The Rink') was really the focal point of our lives during the winter months from October until April. If you are not from Northern Canada, this book means nothing to you. If you read it, there is no significance to you, no association. And if you're from the U.S. of A. reading this book is not esoterically confusing, you just won't understand it. IT was not written for people outside of Canada. The unfortunate thing ab out hte book is that it misses 'Rinks' that 'should've ' bee in it. however, we all know that the authors couldn't get all rinks in Canada. So be it. To Chris and Scott, excellent job.

Having just returned from a Canadian youth hocky tournament, it was easy to relate to the stories in the book. I felt I was experiencing the history of the rinks told about. Excellent book.

I believe this is one of the most enjoyable books i have ever read about hockey. I especially liked it because myself, and my hockey team, are spoken of in a section of the book. Cuthbert and Russell really capture the history and spirit of some of hockey's most famous institutions. A must-read for hockey players or fans.

I thank the authors, Thomas and Phyllis for this great book. Because of this book, I was able to connect my gr grandmother Lillian May (Ryerse) Fergus and the rest of her family. I now know a little more of who I am and where my ancestors came from. The book is very interesting to read and has made me very proud of my Ryerse ancestors. I would recommend this book to anyone they definitely will not be sorry. Thanks again Thomas and Phyllis.
George C. Olson, Jr.

Tom Ryerson & Phyllis Ryerse have made family history come alive with this extraordinary book. Not only has their painstaking research paid off in an easy-to-follow genealogy of the Ryerse-Ryerson Family, but this book should serve as a model for all those interested in chronicling their family history. The Ryerse-Ryerson Family tells the 400-year history of one of the oldest Dutch families to settle in the US using rich text, pictures and maps. Far from the dry recitation of facts found in many books of this ilk, Tom and Phyllis have written a book that is both informative and entertaining. For all genealogy or history buffs, this book is a "must read"!

I was never so happy to receive a book, as this one. Through all the hard work and many years of reseach, the authors, Thomas Ryerse and Phyllis Ryerson, connected the rest of my family line with my 4th great grandmother, Eleanor Augusta Ryerse. The book is wonderful, with pictures of family, maps, headstones, stories of the past telling how life was for them. Makes your family come alive again. I rate this book five stars! Debbie Dixon Cade

This book goes about the most heart-wrenching task - noting all the animals we've killed in North America - with none of the usual environmentalist emotional sentimentality. Mowat logically and systematically provides evidence of our wholesale slaughter by categories (land, sea, air) and species. Incredibly well written , and some of the first person historical accounts he unearths are shocking and shameful. This book will move you, anger you, and stay with you. Look in the sky - how many birds do you see? This book provides the sad answer why.

Mowat wanted to write about life, humanity, and extinction. Obviously the topic was too broad, so he narrowed himself down to just discussing the North Atlantic and parts of the New World. I finished this book and was stunned by how much life there USED to be around here. Polar bears in Massachusetts? 12-foot sturgeon in the Chesapeake? Birds flocking in the millions that I had never even heard of? WE NEED MORE BOOKS LIKE THIS AND WE ALL NEED TO READ THEM!

Since reading Mowat's "Sea of Slaughter," I can't get a certain picture out of my mind. It is of a sandy ocean beach, miles and miles long, where tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of morse came to socialize every summer until the middle of last century. The morse, or northern walrus, was a stupendous animal, of impressive bearing: a veritable lion of the sea. Yet it comes no more to those grounds, once the largest colony of its kind, out on Canada's Magdalene Islands, off the coast of Québec.

To think that the morse were just a side-show to it all. To think that eventually, with the same energy and relentless mechanical force, we would come to decimate the northern fishery more or less entirely, leaving thousands of perplexed fisher folk stranded in coastal villages, wondering perhaps, just where that many fish could possibly have gone.

On land, as in the water, nature's bounty was scarcely less prolific, the European's first reaction, scarcely less horrendous. Could this be the true, unknown history of North America, lying behind and directly concerning those early pilots and navigators like Cabot and Columbus. 400 or more years of unbelievably short-sighted culling of mighty herds, whether they were whales or bison or a hundred other species of birds and mammals known to have been hunted to the last. This is Mowat's sad chronicle. This is his portrait of what one day perhaps, will generally be known and accepted as history. And the only thing that may stop us is that we find we really don't want to ever learn this sort of truth.

Besides being a remarkable contribution to the literature of ecology and environment, this is also one of Mowat's finest personal efforts. You can see by the very nature of the material that it took a being of remarkable strength just to tackle a project like this, let alone bring it to a conclusion. It's probably true that one can prepare all one's life for just one event. In Mowat's case, without negating any other part of his remarkable œuvre, this may just be it.