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Evangeline
Publisher: Nimbus Publishing$13.95La Nouvelle-Écosse est hantée par son passé—l’Acadie qui fut établie en 1605. Longfellow décrit magnifiquement la beauté des lieux qui devinrent le “Pays d’Évangéline,” dans son conte d’amants qui furent séparés pendant la déportation des Acadiens en 1755; une des oeuvres les plus aimées de la littérature canadienne. Personne ne peut lire l’histoire de Grand Pré sans avoir le désir de visiter l’Acadie; personne ne peut visiter l’Acadie sans être fasciné par son histoire.
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Joe Howe to the Rescue
Publisher: Nimbus Publishing$12.95It is Halifax Nova Scotia in 1834, and 12-year-old Jack Dance, whose captain father is lost at sea and whose mother is poor, has to leave school and go to work. By chance he meets Joe Howe, who is impressed by Jack’s brightness and invites him to be his printer’s boy at the office of his newspaper The Nova Scotian. From then on, a series of things happen to make Jack’s life exciting and even dangerous. He stumbles on a major smuggling ring, is kidnapped by the king of the smugglers, escapes with the help of a black ex-slave, befriends the smuggler’s daughter Lucy, and then slowly uncovers the evidence that will destroy the whole smuggling business. Meanwhile Joe, who has already written articles about smuggling in Halifax and is seen as the smugglers’ arch-enemy, has printed a letter in his paper which attacks the powerful and corrupt men running the town – including the king of the smugglers. They charge him with criminal libel, and he has to defend himself in court, to avoid fines and imprisonment.
Joseph Howe to the Rescue weaves together the true story of Joe Howe’s fight for freedom of the press during this period, with the exciting fictional story of his printer’s boy. Jack learns to love and respect his boss and his friend, who went on to become the greatest Nova Scotian who ever lived. -
Historic Town of Pictou
Publisher: Nimbus Publishing$19.95Monica Graham is a long-time resident of Pictou County and is a freelance journalist and photographer whose work has been published in many newspapers and magazines including The Chronicle Herald, Pictou Advocate, and Canadian Living. She is the author of Pictou County.
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Historic North End Halifax
Publisher: Nimbus Publishing$24.95Halifax’s North End is an historical and photographic sketch of a major section of Atlantic Canada’s largest city. Both in war and in peace the North End has played a vigorous and vital part in the history of Atlantic Canada’s “Warden of the North.” The strategic importance of military forts, the naval presence, housing, and heavy industries that developed in this area, all contributed to the rapid growth of the North End during the late 19th century. As Paul Erickson points out in fascinating historical photos, the Halifax Explosion dramatically changed the fate of this historic section of Halifax and brought the astonishing growth to a screaming halt in 1917. During the 1920s, the distinctive neighborhoods began to thrive again. Erickson profiles the unique communities of the Hydrostone and Africville. Chapters include: Old North Suburbs, Foreign Protestants, Royal Naval Dockyard, Wars and Peace, Expansion North, Age of Rail, Age of Industry, Halifax Explosion, Rebuilding the North End, Africville, Second World War, and Eve of Urban Renewal.
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Bluenose Magic
Publisher: Nimbus Publishing$24.95Bluenose Magic, first published in 1968, is considered a classic of Maritime literature, and its author, Dr. Helen Creighton, is one of Canada’s best-loved and most respected folklorists.
This fascinating and engaging companion to the author’s best-selling Bluenose Ghosts welcomes readers into a world of forerunners, enchantment, dreams, divination, buried treasure, guardian ghosts, home remedies, and mystical occurrences. These unique tales have been passed on from generation to generation of Nova Scotia’s families. -
Rendezvous in the Magdalen Islands
Photographer: George FischerPublisher: Nimbus Publishing$12.95Situated in the middle of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, the Magdalens are a series of 12 beautiful islands of sand in the shape of a half moon stretching over 65 kilometres and with over 300 km of wonderful sandy beaches. This archipelago enjoys a Maritime climate, boasts a stunning landscape that always leads to the sea and features a unique human history beginning with the Mi’kmaq, the early French explorers, and the Acadians fleeing the expulsion of 1755, as well as the later Scottish immigrants. English Edition
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Historic Guysborough
Publisher: Nimbus Publishing$24.95In Guysborough County, Nova Scotia, located on the eastern Atlantic Coast of Nova Scotia, the forestry, fishing and subsistence farming industries were the usual employers of its inhabitants. One of the larger villages, Sherbrooke, located at the head of the tide on the St. Mary’s River, had commercial interests: a saw mill, stores, including trade shops and a photography studio that made it a bustling centre of activity. Photography, in its infancy in late 19th century Canada, was widely practiced in the small towns of Atlantic Canada. Thankfully, some of the images captured by hobbyists and professionals have been saved to become part of this historical record of the county.
This is a wonderful collection of vintage photos that detail the county and the historic old villages that dot the coast and the interior of the region. -
Historic Antigonish Town & County
Publisher: Nimbus Publishing$29.95Antigonish County is a rural community steeped in a unique heritage. Mi’kmaq have lived here for hundreds of years; they were joined in the eighteenth century by Acadians, Loyalists—including Black Loyalists—and settlers from New England, Scotland, and Ireland.
Historic Antigonish: Town and County bears witness, in photographs and detailed captions, to this cultural diversity and its many benefits. This is a book not about landscape or politics–although both have naturally affected life here–but about the countless individuals whose everyday lives shaped the area’s evolution, people like John Boyd, founder of the Casket; Lottie Melanson, champion sheepshearer; Alex MacDonald, the “Klondike King”; and Katie MacEachern, a gifted midwife. From the raising of St. Joseph’s Church to the fiery destruction and resurrection of Mount St. Bernard, local events, businesses, and, above all, people are captured and honoured in this wide-ranging tribute to Antigonish town and county.
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Grand-Pré: Heart of Acadia
Publisher: Nimbus Publishing$24.95A.J.B. (John) Johnson, a historian with Parks Canada, has published extensively, on French colonial Louisbourg in particular. W.P. (Wayne) Kerr, an interpretation specialist with Parks Canada, has over seen the development of numerous exhibits and projects in Atlantic Canada
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Inspired Halifax
Artist: Dusan KadlecPublisher: Nimbus Publishing$19.95Born in 1942 in what is now the Czech Republic, Dusan Kadlec received his Masters Degree in Fine Arts from the prestigious Academy of Fine Arts in Prague in 1967. Shortly afterward, 1968, he immigrated to Canada and settled in Nova Scotia where he now works and makes his home. Internationally recognized for his highly detailed portrayals of important historical events, as well as painting our seafaring and urban past, Dusan Kadlec is generally regarded as Canada’s foremost historical and marine artist.
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A Land of Discord Always
Publisher: Nimbus Publishing$19.95From 1604 to 1755, the Acadian settlers of present-day Nova Scotia and New Brunswick were the focus of political, economic, and military rivalries between France and Britain. Their stubborn nonconformity and political neutrality baffled and infuriated both European powers fighting for the upper hand. Finally, Britain’s drastic solution was to expel them from their homes.
Little his been published about early Acadia (which included much of the Maine coast and the Maritimes) and the origins of the Acadians. This rich story, peopled with memorable men and women whose lives make fascinating reading, is skillfully chronicled by retired attorney and historical writer, Charles Mahaffie. -
Evangeline, Illustrated (French)
Publisher: Nimbus Publishing$18.95En suivant l’odyssée du peuple acadien, déporté de la Nouvelle-Écosse entre 1755 et 1763, le poète Henry Wadsworth Longfellow a immortalisé l’Acadie. Son célèbre poème Évangeline raconte l’histoire émouvante d’Évangéline et de Gabriel, jeunes amoureux séparés au moment de la déportation des Acadiens de Grand-Pré. Évangéline parcourt l’Amérique à la recherche de son bien-aimé et, après des années d’errance, elle le trouve sur son lit de mort. Publié en 1847 et traduit par, Pamphile LeMay en 1865, Évangéline connaît un succès international retentissant. Depuis plus d’un siècle et demi, le courage et la fidélité de l’héroïne de Longfellow ne cessent de nous émouvoir. Agrémentée d’illustrations en coulers et en noir et blanc ainsi que d’une excellente introduction de Sally Ross et Barbara LeBlanc, cette belle edition d’Évangéline saura charmer aussi bien les lecteurs et les lectrices qui connaissent déjà le poème que ceux et celles qui le découvrent pour la première fois.
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A Breed Apart
Publisher: Nimbus Publishing$19.95This is the best-selling story of Nova Scotia’s famous tolling dog. The legends and stories of the old tolling men and their dogs of Yarmouth County, Nova Scotia, is part fact and part fiction. Here, at last, is the full story of the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever and the men and women who bred them, trained them and brought them to prominence.
The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is Canada’s first and only true Canadian bred dog. For almost two hundred years the dog was unknown outside of southwestern Nova Scotia. The dog’s particular hunting technique – tolling – was first recorded in North America by Nicholas Denys and became part of the folklore of the Maritimes. Straight out of “Ripley’s Believe It or Not” is the dog’s astonishing ability to lure waterfowl.
This powerful and mesmerizing effect in drawing waterfowl toward the shore is just one of the many intriguing secrets associated with this amazing canine. Gail MacMillan became enthralled with Tollers many years ago and became determined to unlock the dog’s engaging past.
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Hatchling’s Journey
Artist: Jeffrey DommPublisher: Nimbus Publishing$10.95In 1953 Nova Scotia zoologist Sherman Bleakney made a surprising discovery. He found a female Blanding’s turtle living near Kejimkujik Lake. Until then, scientists did not know that the freshwater Blanding’s turtles lived in Nova Scotia. In 1990, this small population of Blanding’s turtles in southwestern Nova Scotia became a protected species and three years later was designated a threatened species.
Set in Nova Scotia’s Kejimkujik National Park, this remarkable story is about a young Mi’kmaw girl and her family’s encounter with a Blanding’s turtle hatchling. Richly illustrated by the award-winning artist Jeffery C. Domm, The Hatchling’s Journey provides us with first-hand experience observing the turtle hatchlings emerging from their nests and their fascinating journey into the Kejimkujik woods for winter. Nominated for a 2005 Hackmatack Award. -
The Sharing Circle Stories about First Nations Culture
Artist: Arthur StevensPublisher: Nimbus Publishing$13.95Matthew loves to play games with his friends and share his toys with them. But most of all he loves to share the special treasures that remind him of his First Nations culture. Perhaps his favourite treasure is the medicine pouch that his grandfather made especially for him. This is where he keeps many of his other treasures, including the sacred herbs his mother gave him. Matthew uses the herbs to remind him to be grateful for everything that nature gives us. Another special gift is the eagle feather from his father. Matthew knows that the eagle is a symbol of the spiritual strength of his culture. But there is one other gift that has a special place in Matthew’s heart. It is the dream catcher that Matthew gave to his friend Dustin to help him not have bad dreams. The Sharing Circle is a collection of seven stories about First Nations culture and spiritual practices: The Eagle Feather, The Dream Catcher, The Sacred Herbs, The Talking Circle, The Medicine Wheel, The Drum, and The Medicine Pouch.
Researched and written by Mi’kmaw children’s author Theresa Meuse-Dallien, and beautifully illustrated by Mi’kmaw illustrator Arthur Stevens, this book will engage and inform children of all ages.
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Fantastic New Brunswick/Nouveau-Brunswick Fantastique
Publisher: Nimbus Publishing$14.95New Brunswick, with its rich tapestry of traditions and cultures including the Mi’kmaq, Maliseet, Acadian, United Empire Loyalist, Irish and Scottish, is more than a political jurisdiction or geographical area; it is a spiritual landscape. A landscape of rustic covered bridges and cascading waterfalls, autumn trees ablaze with colour and green rolling hills, small towns and bustling cities, fishing boats nuzzling coastal wharves and cows grazing in farmland pastures.
From Acadian coastal villages, along the Miramichi, through the Appalachians and the St. John River Valley and out to the Bay of Fundy, New Brunswick /Nouveau-Brunswick Fantastique is a pictorial travelogue and stunning visual tour of a province synonymous with natural beauty, old-world charm, and friendly people. -
Bud the Spud
Artist: Brenda JonesPublisher: Nimbus Publishing$11.95The famous and irresistible song about potatoes is now on the printed page in lively storybook form.
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Hockey Night Tonight
Artist: Brenda JonesPublisher: Nimbus Publishing$7.95An engaging story book version of the Stompin Tom Connors Hockey Song that will stir every hockey lover’s heart.
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Historic Annapolis Royal
Publisher: Nimbus Publishing$21.95Annapolis Royal, one of Nova Scotia’s most historic towns, is the oldest permanent European settlement in North America north of Florida. This visually evocative and informative book traces the history of Annapolis Royal through its architecture, streetscapes and industries, its public, military, and domestic life. Fort Anne, Canada’s first historic park, adds to the towns visual charm, as does the fact that many of the town’s historic buildings are still standing. Also treated in images and text are the surrounding villages of Granville, Lequille and Bear River, and of course, the replica of ht e1605 Habitation of de Monts and Champlain.
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Historic Sackville
Publisher: Nimbus Publishing$21.95In 1749 Sackville was founded and it has since been Halifax’s gateway to the interior of Nova Scotia. The community has been a growth centre since. These vintage photos bring that story of development to life.
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Fredericton And Its People
Publisher: Nimbus Publishing$29.95Fredericton, New Brunswick’s capital, is a city known by many names. Because of its beautiful churches it is often referred to as the celestial city, and for its majestic trees it has been described as the city of stately elms. To many citizens who have passed trough its buildings and across it streets over the year, this beautiful city is known simply as “home.” Fredericton and Its People focuses on the lives of these citizens-their enterprises and events, their homes and hobbies-between the early 1800s and World War Two. Drawn from the rich resources for the Provincial Archives of New Brunswick and city’s most famous photographers, vivid historical photos capture history as it happened, from royal visits and disaster to military events and community celebrations. Detailed captions complement the photo with historical context.
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Blood on the Coal
Publisher: Nimbus Publishing$10.95Over 400 people have died mining for coal under the town of Springhill. This is the stirring account of two explosions, a “bump” and two major fires. Pieced together from interviews, diaries and newspaper files.
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Saga of the Mary Celeste
Publisher: Nimbus Publishing$9.95In December, 1872, the brigantine Mary Celeste was discovered at sea with sails set and everything in order; however, no one was on board or was ever found. The Saga of the Mary Celeste details this great sea mystery.Stanley T. Spicer is the author of numerous books and articles including Glooscap Legends and Captain From Fundy. He lives in Spencer’s Island, Nova Scotia.
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We Belong to the Sea
Editor: Meddy StantonPublisher: Nimbus Publishing$19.95Nova Scotia’s marine heritage is rooted in the very fibre of the people. In this anthology of the best writing about Nova Scotia and its historic relationship to the sea we hear from numerous well-known authors.
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Pier 21: An Illustrated History
Publisher: Nimbus Publishing$24.95This extraordinary collection of historical photographs and informative text tells the story of one of Canada’s most important historic sites: Pier 21 on the Halifax waterfront. It was through this “Gateway of Hope” that over one million new Canadians passed on their way to a new life in Canada. The facility, which operated continuously from 1928 to 1971, was also the processing site for endless numbers of soldiers, prisoners of war, displaced persons, and refugees as well as “war brides” and “guest children” caught up in the tragic drama of two world wars.
Pier 21: An Illustrated History includes an introductory chapter on Pier 21’s precursor, Pier 2, and its role in Halifax’s development as a strategic port of destination, not to mention its significant contribution to our country’s nationhood, at war and at peace. -
The Little Dutch Village
Publisher: Nimbus Publishing$21.95The historic and quaint village built by early German settlers on the outskirts of Halifax was mis-named Dutch for Deutsche, is a district rich in historic association. This is a fascinating account of the village through vintage photos.
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More History with a Twist
Publisher: Nimbus Publishing$16.95More History with a Twist includes sixty more stories from Mr. Nova Scotia-Know-It-All including updates on previous tales and intriguing connections to the famous, and the infamous.
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The Search for Heinrich Stief
Publisher: Nimbus Publishing$24.95Heinrich and Regina Stief left their homeland in 1749 and settled in Pennsylvania. From there, they and a small band of fellow settlers migrated to the rough terrain around New Brunswick’s Peticodiac River. Faced with starvation, frigid winters, and abandonment by their sponsors-among them Benjamin Franklin-the settlers defied the odds by not only surviving but prospering. Steeves descendants now number upwards of 150,000 worldwide.
Heinrich’s tale has been told so many times that its parts have become legend. From the stories his earliest descendants told around the fire to the ones family historians have written and published since then, the facts surrounding Heinrich Stief, his roots, and his exploits have become confused, murky,and half remembered. Certain pieces of the puzzles has always eluded genealogists.
Recently, a Stief family descendant with a knack for research and more than his share of luck has uncovered a piece of history that is as significant as it was elusive. Here, then, is Heinrich Stief’s story, told as never before. -
Women at Sea in the Age of Sail
Publisher: Nimbus Publishing$22.95In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, many women experienced firsthand the perils and pleasures of life at sea. These venturesome women went to sea largely to be with their captain husbands and many proved themselves useful far beyond their roles as companions. Luckily for us, many of these seafaring women kept journals. Here, these women recount, in their own words, their impressions of the exotic places they visited, the homes they made and the children they raised afloat on the seas.
Donal Baird has published various articles and books on his passions, sailing and firefighting. -
Wartime Recipes
Publisher: Nimbus Publishing$16.95In recent years, the role played by women during World War Two on the home front, particularly the industrial front ? in factories, shipyards, and coal mines ? has been receiving a lot of attention. But a true valuation of women?s contribution to the war effort needs to include their work on the literal ?home front,? caring for their families alone and deprived of goods and services they had ordinarily taken for granted. During the dismal years between 1939 and 1945, Maritime women learned to keep their families well fed and ?fighting fit? amidst food shortages and rationing. Their recipes, relevant today for anyone who wants to prepare economical, nutritious meals, have been gathered from newspaper food columns, advertisements, and articles from the war period. Devonna Edwards?s collection of wartime recipes harks back to a time when cooking was an act of patriotism. At the same time, it calls attention to the ingenious simplicity that characterizes so much of Maritime cooking.
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The Last Billion Years
Publisher: Nimbus Publishing Limited$35.00The Last Billion Years tells the history of the physical land of the Atlantic Provinces. Dealing in millions of years, this easy-to-use, detailed book will be invaluable to teachers, land-use planners, and curious readers.
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Historic St Andrews
Publisher: Nimbus Publishing$20.95St.Andrews-by-the-Sea is a much photographed little town, beloved by visitors and residents.The visual heritage of the town and the surrounding community has been documented by many photographers and reproduced here with historical context.
