In these evocative sketches, stories, and essays, one of our finest observers of the natural world explores the stunning but often dangerously inhospitable island of Newfoundland. Channeling rather than overwhelming his subject, Finch's caring han...

A touching tribute to Canada's tenth province, this book tells the story of a ruggedly beautiful landscape through the words of its people and the photographs of two exceptional photojournalists.

The true story, drawn from official documents and hours of personal interviews, of how Newfoundland and Labrador joined Confederation and became Canada's tenth province in 1949. A rich cast of characters--hailing from Britain, America, Canada and Newfoundland--battle it out for the prize of the resource-rich, financially solvent, militarily strategic island. The twists and turns are as dramatic as any spy novel and extremely surprising, since the "official" version of Newfoundland history has held for over fifty years almost without question. Don't Tell the Newfoundlanders will change all that.

Each year, for generations, poor, ill-clad Newfoundland fisherman sailed out 'to the ice' to hunt seals in the hope of a few penniew in wages from the prosperous merchants of St. John's. The year 1914 witnessed the worst in the long line of tragedies that were part of their harsh way of life. For two long, freezing days and nights a party of seal hunters--one hundred thirty-two men--were left stranded on an icefield floating in the North Atlantic in winter. They were thinly dressed, with almost no food, and with no hope of shelter on the ice against the snow or the constant, bitter winds. To survive they had to keep moving, always moving. Those who lay down to rest died. Heroes emerged--one man froze his lips badly, biting off the icicles that were blinding his comrades. Other men froze in their tracks, or went mad with pain and walked off the edge of the icefield. All the while, ships steamed about nearby, unnoticing. And by the time help arrived, two thirds of the men were dead. This is an incredible story of bungling and greed, of suffering and heroism. The disaster is carefully traced, step by step. With the aid of compelling, contemporary photographs the book paints an unforgettable portrait of the bloody trade of seal hunting among the icefields when ships--and men--were expendable.

This book is the first full-length volume to offer acomprehensive introduction to the English spoken in Britain's oldestoverseas colony, and, since 1949, Canada's youngest province. Within NorthAmerica, Newfoundland and Labrador English is a highly distinctive speechvariety. It is known for its generally conservative nature, having retainedclose ties with its primary linguistic roots, the traditional speech ofsouthwestern England and southern Ireland. It is also characterised by ahigh degree of regional and social variation. Over the past half century,the region has experienced substantial social, economic and cultural change. This is reflected linguistically, as younger generations of Newfoundlandersand Labradorians increasingly align themselves with 'mainland' NorthAmerican norms. The volume includes:*An accessible description of thephonological, grammatical, lexical and discourse features of thisvariety*Treatment of regional speech variation within the province, and itshistorical sources*Discussion of the social underpinnings of ongoinglanguage change *Language samples from both traditional and contemporaryspeakers*A survey of published work on Newfoundland and Labrador Englishfrom earlier centuries to the present day.

Originally published in 1969, In Defense of Nature is an eloquent and prescient plea on behalf of the natural world. Devoid of sentimentality yet lyrical and deeply moving in its portrayals of our despoliation of nature, Hay’s classic work is now available to a new generation of readers.

Baltimore's Mansion introduces us to the Johnstons of Ferryland, a Catholic colony founded by Lord Baltimore in the 1620s on the Avalon Peninsula of Newfoundland, and centres on three generations of fathers and sons. Filled with heart-stopping description and a cast of stubborn, acerbic, yet utterly irresistible family members, it is an evocation of a time and a place reminiscent of Wayne Johnston's best fiction.

The twentieth century witnessed both the formation of Newfoundland as a self-conscious national entity and the construction of distinct and self-aware middle and upper classes in its capital city. This interdisciplinary collection examines the key roles played by women in the creation of this state and society, and the essential influence that gender, ethnicity, and religion played in class relations. Shifting class relations were formed in the salient political events of the first half of the twentieth century in Newfoundland: the First World War, the suffrage movement, the Great Depression, the Second World War, and finally Newfoundland's contested entry into the Canadian Confederation. Creating This Place shows how upper-, middle-, and working-class worlds were established in the everyday work of women, as well as the ways in which the complex social boundaries of the period were constructed. Individual chapters explore issues such as women's work in religious and voluntary institutions, their struggle for voice, suffrage, and political change, work of domestic servants, and the construction of "proper" women and mothers through denominational education. Creating This Place adopts an innovative perspective on Newfoundland and Labrador that focuses on the often overlooked lives of urban women. Contributors include Sonja Boon (Memorial University), Linda Cullum (Memorial University), Margot Duley (University of Illinois at Springfield), Vicki Hallett (Memorial University), Jonathan Luedee (doctoral candidate, University of British Columbia), Bonnie Morgan (doctoral candidate, University of New Brunswick), Marilyn Porter (emerita, Memorial University), Karen Stanbridge (Memorial University), Helen Woodrow (Educational Planning and Design Associates and Harrish Press Publications).

Now in a thoroughly revised and updated edition, this text offers a comprehensive examination of North America’s physical and human geography, weaving in the key themes of environment and sustainability throughout. The authors explore the challenges each region faces, such as water shortages, climate change, increased migration and diversity, urbanization, and continued economic changes. The book also highlights the positive actions that Americans and Canadians are taking to move toward a more sustainable future. New features in the second edition include sections on population, immigration and diversity, and urban trends. Each chapter also features a case study that examines a national park (representing natural and cultural heritage), how the region is coping with climate change, how geospatial technologies are applied to environmental challenges, iconic images and/or cultural festivals, urban sustainability best practices, and global connections and networks. Designed for ease of teaching and learning, the book features full-color photographs and maps throughout; chapter highlights; lists of key terms, places, and major cities for each chapter; discussion questions; and a glossary.

In this comprehensive new text, Chris Mayda offers an exciting alternative to conventional North American geographies. Throughout her thorough discussion of the physical and human geography of the United States and Canada, the author weaves in the key themes of environment and sustainability. Combining incisive analysis, rich description, human stories, and vibrant photographs, this text offers a complete and vivid portrait of the region from human, physical, and cultural perspectives. Designed expressly for ease of teaching and learning, the book features color photographs and maps throughout.