I picked this book up on the Vancouver ferry as something to read by a local author. It turned out to be a very enjoyable read. Trower writes in an almost autobiographical style that makes you feel that the characters are real people doing real things. The topics covered in the book seem to be very down-beat--the endless cycle of logger's lives between Skid Road, the Logging Camps, Booze and Heroin, but the book is far from down beat. The characters are well developed and believable; they are treated with respect and each play an interesting roll in the story. The story-line weaves about through themes that let the author illustrate the life and times very well, and in the end conclude with an ending that fits the story yet is creative enough to make the reader happy. All in all, a very good book about an odd-slice-of-life that is interesting to see recorded.

The Canadian troops in Korea may have been few in number, but they had their share of challenges and hardships. Canada's Korea experience largely coincided with the relatively static and nasty trench warfare period of 1951-53. Through no fault of these troops, history ascribes to them no major combat laurels. But their long-overlooked story is no less compelling than that of other U.N. contingents in the Korean War. Barris has done a commendable job of presenting a complete and balanced history without hyperbole. Accordingly, the reader is given an appreciation of 1950 recruiting and (in many ways comical) training; the horrific train accident in transporting troops westward through the Canadaian Rockies; the Pacific crossing and deployment in Korea, and the combat histories of the regiments that rotated through over a three-year period. The passage about the Canadians' role in guarding communist POWs gives insight rarely found elsewhere. Anecdotal information from individual interviews is what gives the book its real depth. These passages give interesting details about bivouac experiences, uniform and weapons selection, and connectivity with other allied armies. Another unique provision recounts how these young soldiers came face-to-face with their enemies just hours after the armistice. The saga of the Canadian troops would be incomplete without some recognition of individuals' post-war adjustments. Barris has covered all of these very well. The vintage photos are poor in resolution but informative nevertheless. The maps are great and are indispensible for a text like this. In all, this very readable book on a subject that has been chronically overlooked until now.

The best thing about Edo's stories is that the characters are so damn likable -- even the bad ones. You feel sympathy for frail old women, as they continue to systematically murder houseguests. He's also a master at misdirection, setting things up to make you think it's going in one direction until, suddenly, a different -- yet wholly consistent -- conclusion arises.

Anyone who enjoys horror short stories will love this book.

This brief book describes the last days of the great Native American leader Tecumseh, the Shawnee chief whose vision was to unite his and other tribes in defense of much of what is now the states of Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan. He was both respected and feared by the westward moving settlers. General William Henry Harrison waged battle against Tecumseh and his Indian alliance, first in Indiana, and later in Candada during the War of 1812.

The Candadian author describes Tecumseh's defeat and death during the Battle of the Thames in the War of 1812. The book brings an insightful Canadian perspective of Tecumseh's role in the War of 1812. Although the book is written for adolescent readers, anyone with an interest in early 19th century American history will enjoy this book

This collection of stories by the lavishly talented Toronto writer Brian Panhuyzen frankly blew me away. Here is a writerly sensibility on a par with some of our greatest authors(Margaret Laurence comes to mind) combined with a youthful vigor and energy that sweeps through the dusty halls of CanLit like a freshening zephyr. (Forgive the poetry, but his work does that to me.)

Panhuyzen probes all the tender corners of human experience, the little moments of intimacy between people and the numinous sense of awe at contemplating the universe. He gets under the skin of his characters, whether it's a callow kid hanging out with his gang, a mental patient recovering from bereavement, or a blind Metis woman stumbling on the ruins of a crashed plane. There is so much more going on here than the clever tricks so many writers play. Here is perception, truth, and the promise of much more to come.

This book tells you all you need to know about concrete from A-Z.

Written by WW2 veteran Sptifire pilot W.A. Bishop, this book covers the last famous air battle of the war. Mr Bishop provides much background information on the planning of this battle, Then procedes to cover it's execution and overview of the results. Provides historical information on the thoughts and actions of many verterans, from both sides. An invaluable referance to anyone interested in the last months of the the Air War in Europe. After reading it, I was amazed to find out that this raid could have indeed altered the course of the war, and delayed its end in the West. This book needed to be written, and Mr. Bishop covers all bases. Highly recommended, PHG

Bela Baliko's photographs of the Canadian Rockies are among the finest photographs I've seen of this already photogenic part of the world.

This book contains the warrants for the DFM, types of awards + example, distribution by year for all Canadian aircrew in the period of 1939 to 1945. Allso the information from The London Gazette are given. Great source for historical research and for medal collectors.

Master wordsmith Richard Outram has written a (near) lifetime's worth of poetry, much of which is love poems to his wife, artist Barbara Howard. While love poems aren't all he's written (see his excellent collection Mogul Recollected), the love poems are his most eloquent and moving. I think Richard Outram deserves a wider audience, and a good place to start is this recent collection.