Hunting for History Books
I love walking into an independent book store. Munro’s Books in Victoria has shelves and shelves of books including a robust selection of BC history, all set a backdrop of heritage architecture. Even Chapters, with its indisputable tagline “Canada’s Biggest Bookstore,” regularly surprises me with their easy-to-browse Local Interest section.
You are reading “BC Bookshelf” so, like me, you search out reviews to provide insight not found in the blurb on the back of the book. As a Vancouver Islander, I pick up the latest issue of BC BookWorld every time I’m aboard BC Ferries. Online, the Ormsby Review provides a deep-dive into the latest BC history books, and some of my favorite history podcasts have segments devoted to books.
Friends are a great source for new books. They tailor recommendations to my interests and look for the same — followed by the inevitable discussion and critique.
There are so many excellent BC history titles published that I’ve added “Bookmarked!” to the reviews section to highlight additional books. I also profiled a book presentation that I attended in the spring to show authors and historians out in the community (along with their legions of supporters).
How do you find out about new books on British Columbia’s history?
Aimee
Like many people around the world, I wear West Coast First Nations art in the form of silver jewellery. Each artist has his or her own distinct style — and the bracelets, rings, and pendants they create reflect different aspects of their culture. Understanding Northwest Coast Indigenous Jewelry is divided into three sections: the art, the artist and the history.
Nearly half of the book is devoted to the history of jewellery in First Nations cultures in the Pacific Northwest, from thousands of years ago to the present day. Some
