Great Lakes disaster turns time capsule

Here’s a small-press book that sets out to revitalize the history of Canada’s Great Lake steamships – and proves wonderfully successful. Frightful Disaster! by Douglas Hunter treats the mysterious disappearance in 1879 of the steamer Waubuno. The book turns that Georgian Bay catastrophe — and the deaths of 20 to 28 people – into a…

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Medal presentation reveals author immodesty

Can I let this splendid honour go unremarked in this humble space? A better man might be able to do that. But, no, predictably, I cannot. Here we see Jett Britnell, chair of the Canadian Chapter of The Explorers Club, presenting me with the Stefansson Medal at Hemingway’s in downtown Toronto. As you can see, I…

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The Explorers Club makes my day!

Quite a thrill, let me tell you, to hear from The Explorers Club, Canadian branch, that I have been awarded the 2025 Stefansson Medal. In this month’s newsletter, you can read about it: “This prestigious award recognizes outstanding contributions to the cause of exploration and field sciences in Canada and internationally.” I’m also excited to…

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Considering Poilievre? Please read this book!

So here we all are, another day in the political and biographical trenches, another spectacular tour-de-force from Mark Bourrie. Last week it was Jean de Brebeuf, the week before that, Pierre Radisson. In between, the man  delivered media mogul George McCullagh. You can see why some of us are getting fed up with this guy.…

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A brilliant review turns up in The Hill Times

After opening as above, Dornan writes on: McGoogan is a splendid storyteller, the author of 16 previous books on subjects ranging from the Highland clearances to the history of Arctic exploration. What these books have in common is that they tell stories about strength of character in the face of hardship and hopelessness. This is…

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First Nations War Hero Tommy Prince

To mark Remembrance Day, I offer a chapter from Shadows of Tyranny: Defending Democracy in an Age of Dictatorship. It celebrates First Nations war hero Tommy Prince, shown here (left) with his brother, Morris. In January 1944, as part of Operation Shingle, Canadians led an amphibious landing near the port at Anzio, located on the west…

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An Open Letter from Occupied France

Is that the sound of History rhyming? (As published in the Toronto Star on Aug. 28. 2024) Greetings, Canadians of 2024. I write from Paris, France, in September of 1942. We have been living under Nazi occupation for two years and let me tell you, we are not enjoying it. Last July, the Nazi authorities…

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B.C. Review hails Shadows of Tyranny

Shadows of Tyranny: Defending Democracy in an Age of Dictatorship, by Ken McGoogan (Douglas & McIntyre) [Editor’s Note: Although it could be argued the B.C.-related content of this book is thin, the outcome of the November election in the United States will affect the province. Perhaps Ron Verzuh’s reflective review might soothe nerves in advance of…

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