Historical Atlas of Canada: Canada's History Illustrated with Original Maps

Canadian geographer Hayes (British Columbia: A New Historical Atlas) takes a close-up look at more than 400 maps of Canada and the events associated with them, creating an appealing alternative to the musty, just-the-facts version of homegrown history that many Canadians learned in school. Covering 1000 years, these maps document the longstanding importance Canada has held for outsiders, including explorers searching for a northern sea passage to Asia and its fabled riches, and foreign rulers eager to conquer new territories. Maps created by Canadian native peoples also provide an important, non-European perspective on the country's past. Hayes brings everything to life%E2%80%94the wanderlust that fueled the early explorers, the astonishing misconceptions they held about North America, stories about the creators of the maps, and more%E2%80%94in lively, conversational captions and concise overviews of key events. Hayes's exhaustive knowledge of his subject matter makes this book of interest to historians, and the artistry of the maps and the intriguing details embedded in them will encourage other readers to get lost in the pages and encounter Canada's past in a new, invigorating way. (Nov.)