If British Columbia has a favourite transportation saga, it is the story of the legendary Union Steamship Company, which operated a float of funky little steamships up and down the BC coast between 1890 and 1955. And if there is a worthy tribute to the Union Steamships, it is this generously illustrated history.

The fascinating story of the legendary Union Steamship Company, which operated up and down the BC coast between 1890 and 1955. The Union Steamship Company was an essential part of BC life during the late 1800s and early 1900s. For hundreds of people living along the coast of BC, the Union Steamship Company was the only link to the outside world. In this bright, well-illustrated, genuine history - with 100 photographs, many of them never published before - the heyday of the Union Steamships comes beautifully to life.

Tom Henry was born in Duncan, BC in 1961. He earned his BA in history from the University of Victoria, and has worked on tugboats, in logging camps and owned his own firewood business. A former staff writer for Monday Magazine, Henry has authored several books including Westcoasters: Boats that Built BC (winner of the Bill Duthie Booksellers` Choice Award), The Good Company: An Affectionate History of the Union Steamships (winner of the BC Historical Federation's Lieutenant Governor's Award), Dogless in Metchosin, The Ideal Dog and Other Delusions, Paul Bunyan on the West Coast and Small City in a Big Valley: The Story of Duncan. Henry's audiotape of readings from Dogless in Metchosin is popular with listeners who know him from his CBC Radio "Country Life" column. He lives in Victoria, BC.

Tom Henry's profile page

• Winner, The BC Historical Federation's Lieutenant Governor's Award