December 4, 2004 History Books Worth a Look

The following are some new history books I have begged, borrowed or bought recently.  They would be good Christmas gifts or a good read for history buffs. 

Canadian Virtual Museum 

For an overview of Canadian history the new 700 page coffee table book The Museum Called Canada: 25 Rooms of Wonder is a winner.  When I saw that the remarkable Charlotte Gray who wrote the Pauline Johnson story etc. was the writer of the text, I was first in line at the Powassan Library.  The book is not about a specific museum but is a created virtual museum of hundreds of stunning photographs and stories of Canadian artifacts.  The book with its 25 imaginary rooms was created by book designer Sara Angel. 

From the first photo of a coat rack with a coat on it to the last photo of an empty coat rack you take a highly informative and pleasurable walk through every aspect of Canadian history.  Unlike a museum you can take as long as you want and move around as much as you like.  Random House (2004), $65. 

Barilko – Without a Trace 

Twenty four year old Toronto Maple Leaf defenceman Bill Barilko from Timmins scored the most famous goal in Toronto Maple Leaf history on April 21, 1951 in the 5^th game of the Stanley Cup to give the Leafs the Trophy.  Four months later Barilko went on a fishing trip with dentist Dr. Henry Hudson and disappeared without a trace for 11 frustrating years.  Barilko and Hudson were found in 1965 trapped to their seats of Hudson’s yellow Fairchild 24 plane in the bush 100 kilometers north of Cochrane.  

Kevin O’Shea’s new book on Timmins’ Bill Barilko.

The Tragically Hip who played at this year’s Grey Cup solidified his memory when they recorded their song “Fifty Mission Cap” in 1992.  There is apparently a movie in the making.  A new book by Kevin O’Shea who works at the Hockey Hall of Fame where Barilko’s sister volunteers has just produced a touching book on Barilko’s life.  It starts with his childhood in Timmins and goes on to the present day.  In his five years with the Leafs they won the Stanley Cup 4 times.  The book has been better researched and gives more detail than any previous report.  The Nugget’s Ken Pagon who wrote an article in the Timmins paper on the 50^th Anniversary of the goal in 2001 has a piece in the book.  Timmins had a Bill Barilko Day on November 19^th with Bill’s sister there along with lots of old artifacts and a book signing  

One of the many details in the book was that my hometown hero from Port Colborne Leaf Captain Ted Kennedy flew to Timmins for the funeral only to find it was postponed a week because of an autopsy.  A great read for any hockey fan.  Paperback by Fenn Publishers (2004) $25. 

Ken Pagan also recommends All Roads Lead to Hockey: by Bill Boyer, Key Porter Publishing. (2004) $32.95).  Another Christmas hockey book is Lord Stanely’s Cup by Andrew Podnieks full of excellent photos and text. 263 pages. Fenn Publishing (2004). $55. 

Ringette History 

While on the topic of sports I want to note a new 75 page book The Ring Starts Here: The Illustrated History of Ringette Book (2004) by Ken Collins.  North Bay’s Sam Jacks was the creator of the game, which, now that girls are becoming more athletically minded, has expanded dramatically.  Sam died in 1975 but his wife Agnes has become a real ambassador of the game. 

Mike Umphrey in the Nugget recently reported on the significant increase in Ringette and girls hockey registration.  Ringette, an adaption of ice hockey and floor hockey is primarily for girls and is less physical than hockey.  Since the 1960’s it has expanded across Canada with Canadian Championships for the last 25 years and World Championships since 1990.  The book published by The Highway Book shop in Cobalt provides numerous photos and a well written history of the evolution of the game.  $12.95. 

New ONR History

Much good history of the ONR has been written and the new book A Century of Travel on the Ontario Northland Railway (2004) is an excellent addition.  Author Doug Smith was in North Bay recently at the Museum to sign his 275 page book with 271 photos – 75 in colour.  His book also touches on the company’s buses, boats on Lakes Nipissing, Temagami and Moosenee and its aviation operation under Nor Ontair.  The book is full of interesting stories including school cars, dental services on the line and many others going back to 1905 when the line was the Temiskaming and Northern Ontario Railway and began opening the north for the next century. 

Chapleau Game Preserve 

William E. McLeod has written a wide ranging history The Chapleau Game Preserve (2004) touching on dozens of stories from the area NW of Sudbury.  With my fascination with Grey Owl I enjoyed the segment on the efforts to protect Archie Belaney’s identity and McLeod’s theories on why he did what he did.  The book is well outside the Community Voices area but for history buffs a fascinating collection of stories. 318 pages, $24.95. 

Clinic of Hope 

Rene M. Caisse a nurse in Bracebridge for many years in the 1930-40 era developed a herbal cancer remedy called Essiac that helped many patients.  She wouldn’t give up her secret formula until its success was recognized and she was forced to close her clinic.  The 360 page book by Donna M. Ivey is the definitive history of the remarkable story of a woman’s struggle with the medical establishment and its carryover to the present day.  The story has a North Bay connection because Rene married North Bay’s Charles McGaughey, spent time here, and ran occasional clinics.  Her humanitarian work is well recognized in Bracebridge and elsewhere today.  Published by the Duncan Group (2004) $24.99. 

These books are available at book stores including Gulliver’s on Main Street North Bay and libraries.