The Dunsmuir Saga

by Terry Reksten

The Dunsmuir Saga brings to life three generations of the legendary Dunsmuir family of Vancouver Island. Robert Dunsmuir -- canny, acquisitive and imaginative -- became the richest man in British Columbia; his sons struggled to consolidate the family fortune; his grandchildren spent it. Award-winning author Terry Reksten brings the members of the Dunsmuir family and their colourful saga to life with her lively writing, vivid anecdotes and careful research. A selection of 50 historical photographs depicts the Dunsmuirs and their grand style of life.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Biography, Canada

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1994

Reviews

[Linda Goodman · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded to 4. Ever since I visited Craigdarroch Castle in Victoria, British Columbia, I've wanted to learn more about the Dunsmuir family. This book covers a lot of territory and is full of details about 3 generations of the family, although the focus is mostly on Robert and his two sons, James and Alex. The second half of the book covers James and his many children. It is well researched and full of details about the coal mining industry, politics in BC and lots of family scandals!

[Patty White · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fascinating family! I thoroughly enjoyed learning about the Dunsmuirs. Terry Reksten has a compelling writing style that made even the most tedious of subjects (never been much interested in Coal Mining) seem interesting.

[Douglas Clarke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very informative and readable account of the Dunsmuir family and the events surrounding their times. It is regrettable that the author died at a young age.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

A solid and direct history of the Dunsmuir family, who at one point effectively controlled all of Vancouver Island. Starting with Robert Dunsmuir's early life in Scotland, Reksten looks at his life and that of his son James Dunsmuir, as well as both men's families, ending with the death of James' last child in the 1950s. Reksten is not afraid to call out the Dunsmuir's for their ruthlessness in their quest to become wealthy, while also showing how it effected the rest of the family. Hugely important to the development of Vancouver Island, the story of the Dunsmuir's is intertwined with that history, and this book does a good job of that.

[The Bookish Owl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting.

[KG · Rating 4 out of 5]

The research was very good. The Dunsmuirs'...not so much.

[Alan Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific, thoroughly engaging...every bit as interesting as historical tv dramas -- Mr. Selfridge, Downton Abbey, etc.

[Bonnie Bulach · Rating 4 out of 5]

A real life aristocric soap opera. Excellent historic research by the author to obtain a better understanding of the impact of coal & the railroad on Victoria, B.C. commerce.,

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

very informative read about the Dunsmuir family...first part of the book does drag on a bit however it's worth the read if you're interested in the history of the Dunsmuir family

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Researched ad nauseum, the story of the famous Dunsmuir family of Vancouver Island starts off as a pretty tough slog as Robert Dunsmuir, a Scottish coal miner arrives in the Wellington area and moves up the employment chain from miner to mine owner and eventually becomes the wealthiest man in British Columbia. Every community on the southern Island maintains traces of Dunsmuir influence in street names and monuments and buildings, and even in the naming of the town of Ladysmith. So, if you are at all interested in local history, there's good reason to stick with the book. However tedious the first part is, there are no real literary fireworks until Reksten gets down to revealing Dunsmuir's no-account children which numbered many. The third generation were as awful despite the fact that Robert Dunsmuir's only remaining son became (ingloriously) both the Premier and the Lieutenant-Governor of the Province. The Dunsmuirs are a perfect template for the well documented rags-to-riches-to rags in three generations story and there is plenty of incredulity to feast on here. Wonderful original photos.

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting history of a family whose patriarch started as a coal miner and ended up the richest man in British Columbia and how his children and grandchildren for the most part failed miserably at life.

[Rob & Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Story of 3 generations the Dunsmuir family of Victoria. Robert Dunsmuir built Craighdarroch Castle and his son James built Hatley Castle.

Liz

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Blah, blah, blah. The only reason this interested me at all was because I wanted a little island background for our next Vancouver visit.