A Few Acres of Snow: Documents in Pre-Confederation Canadian History, Third Edition

Book Overview

A Few Acres of Snow allows readers to experience early Canadian history in the words of those who first explored, created, and documented the nation. Providing coast-to-coast representation and featuring a diverse range of social groups, the editors offer a refreshing look at the major events leading up to and including Confederation. Throughout, they rely on a careful selection of personal, formal, and legal documents to tell the story, including early travel narratives, literary writings by Susanna Moodie and Catherine Parr Trail, government reports on slavery in Canada, official letters on Irish immigration, and newspaper articles and speeches on the creation of the Dominion of Canada in 1867. In this trim new edition, each document is introduced with biographical information about the creator. Brand new chapters discuss the Loyalists in Nova Scotia, the War of 1812, and the Beothuk. Also new is a guide to critically reading and engaging with historical documents.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1442600292
• ISBN13: 9781442600294
• Release Date: September 2009
• Publisher: University of Toronto Press
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 1.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.5" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

Fascinating Read

Being of Canadian descent, I am always interested in anything to do with Canadian politics, culture and history. This book offers a fascinating window into pre-Confederation life through first-hand accounts of the establishment of the Canadian nation, starting with the French missionaries' first encounters with First Nations peoples. The chapters devoted to Quebec's struggle to maintain its cultural identity under British rule provide excellent historical background for an understanding of the province's secessionist movement. I recommend this book highly to anyone interested in Canadian studies.