In the early 1970s, journalist Ernest Hillen crisscrossed Canada writing stories for Weekend Magazine. His remarkable reporting on the "ordinary" people he encountered was a mainstay in the popular Saturday supplement in newspapers coast to coast, reaching more than 2 million readers.

These snapshots of life in often far-flung parts of Canada are evoked with extraordinary empathy, respect, and humour by a writer who had himself experienced the dark side as a young prisoner of war in Indonesia during World War Two (later chronicled in his award-winning memoir, The Way of a Boy). From the lives of farmers to rodeo riders to lighthouse dwellers, each story probes the essence of individuals and outlines the social context in sure strokes, showing without telling, while leaving a sense of mystery intact. Without sentimentality or nostalgia or judgment, these quietly philosophical, beautifully written portraits offer glimpses into very special corners of our country. Republished now, they chronicle uniquely Canadian ways of life.

Ernest Hillen's profile page

Ernest Hillen was an editor/writer at Weekend Magazine, Maclean's, and Saturday Night. Roy MacGregor is one of Canada's most successful journalists and writers.