Roger E. Riendeau

This is a good account of the economic and political history of Canada. It gives you a solid grip on the bones of the country. It's less about the heart (or the "flesh" if you prefer that metaphor) that might delve into personalities, colonial prejudices, Indigenous histories and political structures, and so on. The atrocities, such as native oppression and the extreme abuse of Chinese railway workers is given short shrift. Use this book as a framework, but do not think of it as the show more substance of Canada. Go elsewhere for the blood and guts. Enough with the body analogies!

The print is unusually small, which is a nuisance. show less

An unusual book to just pick up and read for some people – I had a reason for this pick; I married a Canadian and moved to southern Ontario. Born and raised American, I did not know much of Canada’s past and its evolution as an independent nation. Never one to back down from a challenge, I decided to learn about my husband’s country and the land that I now in.

I found the writing style very easy reading compared to other brief history books – this one focuses on the stories of the show more people and how they influenced Canada to grow, develop and expand into its frontiers.

The history of Canada is very different from that of America and that alone was intriguing to me. As an American, our past is filled with wars, bloodshed and the horrific treatment of our native population, not to mention the slaves that we brought over. American history books also don’t focus on the War of 1812 and to read the details of General Brock and all the battles that occurred along the borders was highly enlightening.

What also amazed me was how the establishment of neighboring countries could be so different, especially since they started out so similarly. The influence of how the countries “achieved” their freedom from Britain had a dramatic effect on how the government was formed, how political offices would be held, their views on monarchy and much more. show less