Arthur R. M. Lower (1889–1988)

A very readable history of the lumber industry in Canada and its relationship to the requirements of Great Britain's merchants and trade. The second half of the book focuses more on the roles of different types of person involved in the trade, from the labourers in the shanties to the ship's crews and the immigrant passengers they carried on the outward legs of their journeys. Lower notes that the timber ship "offered excellent facilities not only for the voyage to Canada but also to that show more better land from which no emigrant returns" - the quality of these vessels was so poor that many were wrecked at sea. show less

University text, for first-year Canadian history. A classic text, first published in 1946 and updated several times. A bit dated, but a good single-volume overview of Canadian political history. Lacking in the First Nations, francophone and women's perspectives, and the point of view of ordinary people. Still useful reference for major events in Canadian history, and the "traditional" historical perspective.