Book

Acts of Occupation in the Ottawa Citizen

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There’s an article in today’s Ottawa Citizen by Ross Fitzgerald about Acts of Occupation being shortlisted for the Canadian Political History Book Prize:

The Canadian Historical Association (CHA) has recognized two Ottawa historians by shortlisting their recent book for the 2012 Canadian Political History Prize.

Dr. Janice Cavell and Dr. Jeff Noakes co-authored Acts of Occupation: Canada and Arctic Sovereignty, 1918-25. The book is about early Canadian Arctic sovereignty.

Read the full article on the Citizen‘s website.

Randy Boswell on Acts of Occupation

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Back in August 2011, Postmedia News’ Randy Boswell wrote an article about the book, which we’re sharing with you now, through Nunatsiaq Online:

A new book about the history of Canada’s territorial claims in the Arctic has shed fresh light on the impressive, behind-the-scenes manoeuvring by Canadian officials in the 1920s to secure control over the vast region and its untapped resources — a key part of the current Conservative government’s vision of Canada’s economic future.

Randy Boswell, “New book details Lester Pearson’s role in securing Canada’s North,” Nunatsiaq News, 31 August 2011.

Sir Ernest Shackleton and Sir John and Lady Eaton

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Sir Ernest Shackleton and Sir John and Lady Eaton

In Chapter 4 of the book, we talk about the ultimately unrealized plans for the Eatons to help sponsor a proposed Arctic expedition by Shackleton. Whether by luck or by planning, Shackleton and Lady Eaton were fellow passengers on the Aquitania during one of its trips from New York City to Europe. This photograph was likely taken in New York City shortly before Aquitania‘s departure, and shows Shackleton (right) and the Eatons (centre). We discovered it after the book had gone to press, so we’re sharing it with people online.

(Library of Congress, George Grantham Bain Collection, LC-DIG-ggbain-31995.)

Arctic Review of Acts of Occupation

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Peter Kikkert reviewed Acts of Occupation in the December 2011 issue of Arctic:

Despite these minor shortcomings, this well-written and readable work deserves a place on the bookshelves of historians, students, and popular readers interested in the Canadian Arctic. High-quality photographs and maps add to the story of adventure, exploration, and intrigue that the authors set out to tell. Moreover, this history is both timely and important. The recent flurry of books on the Canadian North has included several broad and sweeping studies of Canada’s Arctic policy, notably Polar Imperative by Shelagh Grant (2010) and Arctic Front by Ken Coates et al. (2010); however, more detailed works that fully explore the contours of Canada’s Arctic policy are required. Other historians should follow the lead of Cavell and Noakes to describe the progression of Canada’s policy since the country received its Arctic Archipelago in 1880 because many historical policy issues are still germane to debates about the Arctic today.

Read the review on the journal’s website.

H-Environment Review of Acts of Occupation

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Adam M. Sowards (University of Idaho) reviewed Acts of Occupation for H-Environment in February 2012:

Much recommends the book. Cavell and Noakes conducted thorough research, digging deep in multiple archival holdings. Because of the narrow time examined, they could follow every lead to its conclusion, often through multiple layers of archives and deliberate misdirections by the cast of characters. Also, Acts of Occupation is a well-written narrative that takes what might have been a dull account of bureaucratic and political wrangling and turns it into an exciting and significant book.

Read the full review on the H-Net website.