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Additional Description
Victoria Freeman searches back through her families' histories to evaluate the role her ancestors, and those people closely associated with them, played in the colonisation of the North American continent. She begins with the settlement of New England by the Puritans and Quakers, concentrating for the most part on Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut, then following their movement north and west into Vermont and New York. From there, she slips into Canada ending with her account of her nearest relation's involvement with Cecilia Jeffrey School while it was located on the shore of Shoal Lake, on the Shoal Lake Reserve.
Ms. Freeman spent ten years preparing this tome for publication, and that effort shows clearly. One tenth of the book consists of end notes, which reveal very thorough research into the relevant sources concerning the periods and locales of her subjects, including a number of primary sources, which prove her dedication to accuracy. As an author, she shows no little skill in her ability to tie all of this information together into a flowing history. Her efforts to give her readers a general understanding of the historical context of the situations in which her ancestors found themselves embroiled result in text that is intriguing, informative, thought provoking, and, at times, quite entertaining.
Despite all of its positive attributes and the genuine sincerity of the author to remain an objective reporter and analyst, very few readers will find this work an easy read. There are probably several reasons for this, not the least of which will be the social, religious and ethnic perspective of the reader. Ms. Freeman is writing from the perspective of a twentieth century atheist who is very conscious of the collective guilt or shame of modern white society. As a result, the reader will find her writing far more sympathetic to the aboriginal element of her subject than to the Christian white.
We have a huge selection of books at ECB pertaining to First Nations history and issues.
Book Information
- Author : Freeman, Victoria
- Publisher : McClelland & Stewart
- Book Condition
: Fine - Jacket Condition : Fine
- Book Type : Hard Cover
- Published Location : Toronto
- Published Year : 2000
- Book Edition : First Edition
- Book Number : 0771031920
- ISBN : 0771031920