What do you think?
Rate this book
Pioneers in Canada
WITH EIGHT ILLUSTRATIONS BY E. WALLCOUSINS.
284 pages, Paperback
First published July 23, 2004
6 people are currently reading
15 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 of 1 review
May 18, 2012
A History that is itself History
This book is probably misleadingly named for today's average reader. I thought initially on reading it, that it would dwell on the general experiences of Pioneers to Canada in general and came to realize quickly that more to the point, it is focused upon Explorere of Canada. That's a fine point perhaps, and it may be defensible given that the book is older and in the vernacular of its day the meaning was more generally understood.
Reading the book today however, there is good information to be gleaned if the modern reader can get past some of the bias present in the book, that today wouldn't be readily tolerated. In particular, the view taken of the native population is both prejudicial and exagerated in a manner reminiscent of how a book on the issue of slavery might be written pre-civil war. The typical stereotypes abound and when positive statements are made, they appear to almost be apologetic and set in contrast to the focus upon hygene, morals and cultural differences that are laid out in a manner that can only be called self-aggrandizing.
In this regard, there's a value to the book for the manner that it demonstrates the bias of the time in which it was written. Certainly there is good objective information present. Just be prepared to have to wade through enough of the other elements that will test the patience of many of its readers today.
4 Stars
Bart Breen
This book is probably misleadingly named for today's average reader. I thought initially on reading it, that it would dwell on the general experiences of Pioneers to Canada in general and came to realize quickly that more to the point, it is focused upon Explorere of Canada. That's a fine point perhaps, and it may be defensible given that the book is older and in the vernacular of its day the meaning was more generally understood.
Reading the book today however, there is good information to be gleaned if the modern reader can get past some of the bias present in the book, that today wouldn't be readily tolerated. In particular, the view taken of the native population is both prejudicial and exagerated in a manner reminiscent of how a book on the issue of slavery might be written pre-civil war. The typical stereotypes abound and when positive statements are made, they appear to almost be apologetic and set in contrast to the focus upon hygene, morals and cultural differences that are laid out in a manner that can only be called self-aggrandizing.
In this regard, there's a value to the book for the manner that it demonstrates the bias of the time in which it was written. Certainly there is good objective information present. Just be prepared to have to wade through enough of the other elements that will test the patience of many of its readers today.
4 Stars
Bart Breen
Displaying 1 of 1 review