A visually spectacular saga of the events, people and experiences that shaped a nation and the Canadian psyche.

From the early days of exploration and settlement through the building of a nation to Canada's contribution to the two world wars, this illustrated history of Canada conveys the drama and scope of the nation's past. Through accessible commentary and a wealth of images, readers discover well-known and lesser-known facets of Canadian history, including the story of Canada's first newspaper, the Halifax Gazette; the many railways (besides the Canadian Pacific) that connected people and places; the Canadian bridge that collapsed not once, but twice; and horrific disasters like the Halifax Explosion. Hayes also illuminates the people-the famous, the infamous, and the less well known-from fur traders to politicians, air aces to refugee slaves.

From famous images of the country to unknown views of everyday life, here is a visual experience every Canadian can enjoy. More than 440 illustrations accompany the text, including 200 photographs, 50-plus paintings and drawings (many by Canadian artists) and 35 historic maps, as well as posters, stamps, cartoons, stained glass and tapestries.

Derek Hayes is the author of the bestselling Historical Atlas Series, which includes the Historical Atlas of Canada, Historical Atlas of Vancouver and the Lower Fraser Valley, Historical Atlas of Toronto and Historical Atlas of the United States. He holds two degrees in geography and worked for a time as a planner with the Vancouver City Planning Department and as a real estate consultant. He lives in White Rock, B.C.

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"Canada: An Illustrated History is the sort of history book for people who don't like history books. It is lavishly illustrated, filled with a total history of Canada that we can enjoy as if we are being taught history all over again, except this is more enjoyable than the first time...It offers an eye-opening and revealing part of our history. Reliving our history was never so meaningful, as we review the good and bad that has defined Canada as a unique country, making this book a must-have for your library."

Shelf Life

"[Canada] manages to be rich in both text and pictures as it conveys the drama of the nation's past."

Vancouver Sun