Robert macneil, author of the novel burden of desire. Read the halifax explosion canadas worst disaster by ken cuthbertson available from rakuten kobo. Bacons the great halifax explosion is the seminal account of one of the bloodiest manmade disasters in world history, which killed some 2,000 people. Such a disaster today would generate a worldwide storm of video coverage, but the actual photographic record is sparse. Ss montblanc, a french cargo ship laden with high explosives, collided with the norwegian vessel ss imo in the narrows, a strait connecting the upper halifax harbour to bedford basin. This handsome book helps us see this centuryold catastrophe as never before.
Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. The halifax explosion has frequently been the subject of works of popular culture the canonical novel barometer rising 1941 by the canadian writer hugh maclennan is set in halifax at the time of the explosion and includes a carefully researched description of its impact on the city. The 1917 halifax explosion skip to main search results. The halifax explosion has frequently been the subject of works of popular culture. Following in maclennans footsteps, journalist robert macneil penned burden of desire 1992 and used the. Over the last couple of years ive developed an interest in readng fictional accounts about the explosion. Remembering the halifax explosion through a childs eyes, 99 years later. Historical fiction of the halifax explosion haligonia. The condition of this soft cover book is good, with exception previous owners name on inside front cover. The great halifax explosion is absorbing from first page to last. Even after a century, with most of its survivors deceased, the 1917 halifax explosion continues to grip writers imaginations. A world war i story of treachery, tragedy, and extraordinary heroism kindle edition by bacon, john u download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. This is a terrific onestop overview of the devastating human cost that was the halifax explosion. Collison of 2 ships ignited 3,000 tons of explosives that left 2,000 dead and 25,000 citizens homeless.
In 1917, halifax, nova scotia was the main base of the new canadian navy and housed the most important army garrison in canada. Kaye chapman, now 104, was five years old on the fateful day in 1917 when a munitions ships collision. A fire on board the french ship ignited her cargo, causing a massive explosion that. The halifax explosion of 1917 has been virtually forgotten, at least until this excellent book. New books remember the great halifax explosion the star. The halifax explosion of 1917 was the largest manmade explosion before hiroshima. A newly discovered diary tells the harrowing story of the deadly halifax explosion on the eve of the disasters centennial, a sailors 1917 journal details a rare eyewitness account of the.
The port was a major hub of wartime activity and halifax harbour was crowded with warships, troop transports and. That accident sparked a fire and an apocalyptic explosion that was the largest manmade blast prior to the 1945 dropping of the atomic bomb on hiroshima. I even listed it in my hopeful reading list for 2015, and finally got to it while on vacation in august in the meantime, i discovered yet another new book with the same. A former feature writer for the detroit news, his writing has been recognized three times in the best american sports writing series.
At around the same time, i heard about a new book coming out set during the same time and place, the blue tattoo. Historical fiction of the halifax explosion the reader. If you are unfamiliar with the explosion in halifax, nova scotia in 1917 then this book would be of interest to you. The author relates the circumstances of the accident that caused the explosion, as well as the recovery efforts and subsequent inquiry into the event. On the 100th anniversary of two ships colliding, authors commemorate the blast that changed the face of one of canadas oldest cities. Excerpt from the great halifax explosion book details collision of 2 ships and the explosion that altered a city, residents and relations between canada and u. Halifax explosion book uncovers military ties to epic disaster peter mallett, the lookout staff victoria author michael dupuis fascination with the halifax explosion has led to a 194page book, bearing witness. Bruneau, carol glass voices 2007 graham, genevieve tides of honour 2015. New book details 1917 halifax, nova scotia, explosion. Janet kitzs book is the most comprehensive one ever written on the explosion.
As far as halifax is concerned, there isnt a misstep in the book. The canonical novel barometer rising 1941 by the canadian writer hugh. On a tragic day in december 1917, two boats collided in halifax harbour. A world war i story of treachery, tragedy and extraordinary heroism, by john u. Mac donald but it is often through historical fiction that writers and readers are able to experience both the facts of an event and the emotions of the people. The halifax explosion remembrance book is the first really definitive listing for those killed in the disaster of 6 december 1917. A goodreads search for halifax explosion returns more than 40 titles.
Kitz 4 times halifax explosion by graham metson 3 times too many to mourn by james mahar 3 times burden of desire harvest book by robert macneil 3 times miracles and mysteries. The retired history teachers latest literary work recounts one of the. A world war i story of treachery, tragedy, and extraordinary heroism international ed. In her latest, new yorker staff writer orlean rin tin tin. This awardwinning nonfiction narrative follows the military, volunteers, and citizens of halifax as they struggle to organize one of the most. Availability based on publisher status and quantity being ordered. One of them caught fire and then exploded with a massive bang. Halifax explosion continues to grip writers imaginations. Every two weeks a page is turned, ensuring that each name is displayed once throughout the year. National bestseller the riveting, ticktock account of the largest manmade explosion in history prior to the atomic bomb, and the equally astonishing tales of survival and heroism that emerged from the ashes, from acclaimed new york times bestselling author john u. The descriptions of the halifax explosion and its aftermath were horrifying and gripping. There are other books that are much more detailed but this book is certainly a good beginning. The halifax explosion and the road to recovery by janet f.
Books on the disaster proliferate, and while nonfiction resurrects and reexamines its facts from various angles, it cant go where fiction does, reenvisioning the event and exploring its impact on the human heart and mind. Journalists, record keepers and the 1917 halifax explosion. There are numerous factual accounts of the halifax explosion including shattered city. Uncovering new halifax explosion stories trident newspaper. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the great halifax explosion. Buildings and homes in halifax and nearby dartmouth were instantly destroyed. Last year marked the 100th anniversary of the halifax explosion, and. Books on the disaster proliferate, and while nonfiction resurrects and reexamines.
The halifax explosion july 4, 2011 admin the morning of december 6, 1917 began as most mornings in the city of halifax, nova scotiawives kissed their husbands goodbye, mothers sent their children off to school, and the harbourfront, which served as a major hub during wwi was bustling with activity, both mercantile and military. Why alison watt wrote a novel inspired by the halifax explosion. The 1917 halifax explosion was an unfortunate but predictable tragedy, given the sea traffic and munitions cargo, resulting in sudden largescale damage and catastrophic injuries, with 1950 dead. Halifax explosion history thursday, december 6, 1917, dawned bright and clear in halifax. On the 100th anniversary of the halifax explosion, two new. There are a few novels based on the events surrounding the halifax explosion in 1917. The book was presented to the museum in 2002 by the halifax foundation. Bacon about a ship collision and explosion during world war i. Ive also included lists of nonfiction and books for young readers. On december 6, 1917, the french munitions ship mont blanc and the norwegian warrelief vessel imo collided in the harbour at halifax, nova scotia. The book is displayed at the entrance to the museums halifax explosion exhibit halifax wrecked. Fiction about the halifax explosion disaster that occurred in 1917 and killed 2,000 people. Was the explosion a disaster triggered by simple human error. Few living people recall that the largest manmade explosion in history prior to the advent of the nuclear age took place in halifax, nova scotia.
The online version features a searchable database with detailed information for 1952 casualties more than 300 of whom are newlyconfirmed and identified victims. Fiction brings halifax explosion to heart atlantic books today. The book has a fairly large print and many contemporary photos. It was the largest manmade explosion ever experienced to that point. My father inlaw was a young boy at the time and had spoken about his memories of the event many times to me. A centurys worth of historical accounts, novels and documentaries, plus a tv miniseries, have told and retold the story. The halifax explosion was a disaster that occurred in halifax, nova scotia, canada, on the morning of 6 december 1917. After steaming out of new york city on december 1, 1917, laden with a staggering three thousand tons of tnt and other.
The halifax explosion in fiction the birth house by ami mckay when dora rares beloved mentor, miss babineau, passes away, she is left to carry on alone to teach and use traditional methods for midwifery. The highlighted books will link to my thoughts on the book. A few months ago, i read a book called black snow, a love story set during wwi and the halifax explosion. A world war i story of treachery, tragedy, and extraordinary heroism. This one was about a brand new eye surgeon who moved to halifax and into the house of his bosspartnermentors family. Halifax explosion book of remembrance maritime museum of. On december 6, 1917, the french munitions ship mont blanc and the norwegian warrelief vessel imo collided in the harbou. Halifax explosion nonfiction score a book s total score is based on multiple factors, including the number of people who have voted for it and how highly those voters ranked the book.
The halifax explosion was the greatest nonnuclear detonation in history, killing 2,000 people and obliterating homes and businesses over a large swath of the city. Mustread books about the halifax explosion halifax magazine. Burden of desire is a novel filled with riches and alight with understanding of the. Fiction brings halifax explosion to heart atlantic books. Winner of the dartmouth book award for nonfiction and shortlisted. The story and scope of the disaster and its aftermath is revealed in fiction and nonfiction narratives for both adults and children in these selections from the collection of the cape breton regional library. The halifax explosion is a fresh, revealing account that finally answers questions that have lingered for a century. The halifax explosion and the road to recovery by janet kitz, and the recent curse of the narrows. Bacon is the author of the national bestseller the great halifax explosion and four bestselling books about college football, including three and out, fourth and long, endzone, and bos lasting lessons, coauthored with michigan coach bo schembechler. Mac donald but it is often through historical fiction that writers and readers are able to experience both the facts of an event and the emotions of the people involved. I had read another account of the halifax explosion years ago, but this book out a human outlook on this tragedy. The halifax explosion diary of charlotte blackburn by julie lawson, whos a scaredy cat by.