Riendeau begins his tale with a geographic survey of the land and shows that, logically speaking, the different parts that make up present-day Canada could never have joined together to form a country in the first place. Then he proceeds to tell us how that happened anyway. And while he is relating such events as the struggle between the French and British Empires for control of the land, confederation of the provinces, etc., he also gives us accounts of the War of 1812 as seen from Canadian eyes, and the influences of the American Civil War on the framing of Canada?fs own Confederation.
Now look, I?fm an American who has earned a B.A. in Modern World History, has traveled extensively to many other countries (though not Canada), and spends several hours a day reading newspapers. Before I read this book, I was sure I already knew Canada. Riendeau quickly annihilated that conceit with a fascinating barrage of facts, events, and social trends I?fd never heard of right down to the very humbling tidbit that Mary Pickford -- Hollywood?fs top star of the early silent movie era?@and proudly known nationwide as ?gAMERICA?fs Sweetheart?h -- was in reality a Canadian!
Okay, so this book is strictly Canadian History 101 to be laughed at by Canadians. But if all you've taken so far is Canadian History 000 like me, then this book forms a delightful introduction to the subject. And now Riendeau has got me eager to sign up for Canadian History 102. Not bad for so short and relatively easy a read!