Vancouver Exposed: Searching for the City's Hidden History

by Eve Lazarus

As the author of such BC best-sellers as Cold Case Vancouver, Murder by Milkshake, and Sensational Vancouver, Eve Lazarus has become adept at combining her well-honed investigative skills with an abiding love for her adopted city. These qualities are on full display in her latest book, an exploration of Vancouver's hidden past through the city's neighbourhoods, institutions, people, and events.

Vancouver Exposed is a nostalgic romp through the city's past, from buried houses to nudist camps, from belly-flop contests to eccentric museums. Featuring historic black-and-white and colour photographs throughout, the book reveals the true heart of the city: one that is endlessly evolving and always full of surprises.

With equal parts humour and pathos, Vancouver Exposed is a vividly entertaining and informative book that pays homage to the Vancouver you never knew existed.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

240 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2020

About the author

Eve Lazarus is an author, reporter and the host and producer of the Cold Case Canada podcast. Her bestselling books include Cold Case BC, Vancouver Exposed, and Murder by Milkshake which was shortlisted for the Arthur Ellis Best Non-Fiction Crime Book, the City of Vancouver book award, and Bill Duthie Booksellers’ Choice Award (BC Book Prizes). Eve's latest book is Beneath Dark Waters: The Legacy of the Empress of Ireland Shipwreck.

Reviews

[George Ilsley · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are mixed feelings perusing such a book. One regrets all the beautiful old buildings that were inexplicably destroyed; yet one can almost develop an alternative cityscape in another dimension — the city that might have been.

On the other hand, it is interesting to read about the evolving history of Vancouver, and learn more about the streets and scenes that still remain, however altered.

Eventually, as always, all you can do is embrace impermanence.

This is a large format book, arranged into neighbourhoods, and stuffed with photos, both archival and recent. It is well-researched and organized, with an index and a bibliography.

After more than 25 years in Vancouver, I learned so much from this book!

[Cassie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a fascinating read! Hearing about all of the historical landmarks that the city went "oh yeah we'll save those" and then let them deteriorate and tear them down was infuriating. I'd love to read a follow up that gets into more of the areas that weren't mentioned as much in this one.

[Krystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book while very informative was very slow paced to the point a couple of times I wanted to DNF it. However one thing I will say is that just like her other books Eve has researched the subject matter incredibly well. There was so much I found out about Vancouver which I never would have known otherwise. For me it makes one of my favourite city's so much more intriguing. I'm very impressed with Eve Lazarus and her ability to write non-fiction in a way that is not dry but very interestingly, in which it pulls you in to want to find out more.

[litost · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book: I now have a list of things to see when I next get to Vancouver - I can’t wait to see the B. C. Binning mural in the Shoppers Drug Mart! Though it was hard to read about historic buildings being destroyed, often replaced by parking lots. The book provides glimpses into Vancouver’s past with each section only a few pages; my hope is Lazarus will go deep in a future book and provide even more historical context. Highly recommended for those who enjoy learning about Vancouver’s history.

[Lester · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book. That is because I lived 'outside' of Vancouver and spent much time exploring the 'inside' of Vancouver.
Ahhh..The Sylvia..I still go there when visiting the west coast! Morton Park..with the best statues ever!! No one can be sad there..everyone smiles and laughs. The Stanley Park Seawall..the best time to walk the wall is in the evening when it begins to get dark..and there is a bit of a storm so the waves crash up and you get drenched with the great splashes!!

Then..the PNE..oh yes!! a couple of years ago a friend and I went there for 3 days in a row. We took many photos of the creepy and hideous bathroom (now a 'Womens Washroom) in the livestock building where the Japanese women were kept in 1942. Even now..with very little immagination..just being in that washroom is horrifying. The old windows are still there, many of the old fixtures still there..a body and mind numbing place to be and 'know' what happened there. Those buildings need to stay..and be shown as what they were used for..not hidden and repainted to be prettied up for tourist dollars and eyes.

Anyways..this is a great book..and I have been to many of the places..and seen others. A book to be picked up often, even for a glance through of the photos.
Thanks Eve Lazarus.

[Richard Janzen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book, showing some of the lost treasures of Vancouver history, along with stories of transformation, restoration and preservation. Loved seeing the old photos, and imagining what life in early days of Vancouver was like. I was particularly interested in things like the Opera house downtown, the row of theatres on the Hastings "Great White Way", the English Bay pier, and so much more. Pleasant and informative read and browse.

[Aaronlisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I quite enjoyed this look at Vancouver and it’s history. Lazarus is an engaging story teller and makes her subject matter entertained by, while also trying to shed light on the people of the city.

[Ron Peters · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book on obscure aspects of Vancouver history. The stories are from the author’s blog, Every Place Has a Story (https://is.gd/4V6IcS). The topics are a mishmash but centre on old architecture (nifty buildings long since torn down) along with old true crime material. Nice old photos illustrate each story. I thought I had a pretty good idea of Vancouver history, but Eve Lazarus gives scores of obscure anecdotes I knew nothing about. Warmly recommended to people who enjoy idiosyncratic historic materials about old Vancouver.

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting stories about Vancouver from the time before it was Vancouver. Obviously the book is mostly of interest to those who live or have lived in the Vancouver area. Much attention is made to the buildings of bygone years and those few that survive today. I would have rated higher, however, if feel many of the stories lacked detail and were too short.

[Sai Akhil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just a really, really fun coffee table book! Such interesting stories about the city’s past, had a blast getting to know Vancouver so intimately. The author has put a lot of love, care and attention to detail in every line and image in this book.

[Kim Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great seeing the history of Vancouver.

[Sandra VonniessenApplebee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating compilation of Vancouver history and stories that one may not know. I really enjoyed this book. That’s a lot of great research.