November 23, 2001 Books always welcome Christmas gifts

A year ago I made some suggestions for heritage books to give (or receive) for the holiday season.  This year I will again look at some of my favourites, and will add some other heritage gift suggestions in the space available. 

More than 2 million Canadians watched each episode of the CBC’s Canada: A People’s History that started last year and is currently continuing (2-hour episodes on CBC on Sunday evenings, beginning September 30).  Last year I recommended Canada: A People’s History, Volume One, which is an extension of the television series and was Canada’s top non-fiction book of the year.  Volume Two is or will be hot off the press for Christmas to coincide with the current TV episodes.  The second volume begins with the events around Louis Riel, and ends with the events at Oka in 1990, with a look at the hundred years in between.  These classics will also be available in a boxed set at a nice saving.  Boxed sets of the videos are also available. 
 

Volume Two of Canada: A People’s History, a new book to accompany the current TV series on CBC.

Pierre Burton’s new book, Marching as to War is “destined to be a classic.”  Burton looks at the four wars Canada was involved in in the first half of the 20th Century.  John Macfie’s book on the Algonquin regiment, which I reviewed here recently is also a good bet. 

Regional history books well worth looking at, if you haven’t seen them yet, are Wayne Lebelle’s books on Sturgeon Falls and West Nipissing, and Astrid Taim’s book Almaguin: A Highland History.  People with an interest in the Temiscaming District should consider Bruce Taylor’s Place Names of Temiscaming, which provides profiles and maps of dozens of communities.  The people of North Bay have Michael Barnes book North Bay, Northern Gateway and Boosting the Bay by Wilston Steer, and several books by Cup Gunning who writes the history column in the Saturday Nugget.  Gerry Therrien’s “Mattawa, our Timeless Town,” like Wayne Lebelle’s books, has a French component and provides a unique look at local people, places and events.  The Fossmill Story and My Childhood in the Bush by my son and I continue to be popular and are widely available.  Check our website at www.pastforward.ca for these and other history books for sale on the forest industry and other heritage topics of interest. 

There are of course many other heritage gift possibilities besides books.  One that pays good dividends is membership in your local museum, which often gives discounts, newsletters and notice of special events.  The North Bay Area Museum provides all of these things and also has an excellent collection of books and other heritage related gifts in their museum store (see photo).  Your purchases help keep museums on a sound financial footing.  Drop by the North Bay Museum at 100 Main St. East, 9-5 Monday to Saturday, where there is a staff member or volunteer available to answer your questions.  They also have some excellent kids programs.  Phone 476-2323.
 

The North Bay Area Museum store at 100 Main St east, North Bay.  Sandra Minor, Director of Programming, chatting with visitor.

For those interested in family history, the Ontario Genealogical Society has excellent resources.  The Nipissing Branch has a remarkable collection of material and has volunteers ready to help in their centre upstairs at the North Bay Public Library (afternoons, Tuesday to Saturday).  Phone (705) 752-5950 for information. 

For those interested in Algonquin Park, The Friends of Algonquin Park provide a newsletter, twelve copies of the Raven and discounts on their vast array of books at their Information Centre and at their Logging Museum.  Contact the Friends at Box 248 Whitney, Ontario K0J 2M0 or call (613) 637-2828. 

My favourite heritage magazine is the Beaver, Canada’s history magazine, which provides fascinating articles six times a year on a wide range of historical topics.  For further information call 1 (800) 816-6277. 

For people interested in Muskoka history, Vintage Muskoka is an outstanding quarterly publication with numerous fascinating articles.  Call (705) 646-8776, or contact www.muskokatimes.com. 

Your heritage is a gift, enjoy it!