The author was born in Canada but grew up in the US. He takes his sons on a long trek through Canada to learn about his origins. What is this second-largest country that is Not-US? First Malcolm discusses the geography that shapes the country's history and challenges. Typically, the British who founded Canada didn't give a fig for geographical considerations. The population clings to the shallow souther border except for the native residents, the Inuit. Malcolm visits with a number of people to get a sense of the Canadian character, but the most interested segment is his stay with Snowbird, a native whose knowledge of dogs and the wilds is unparalleled. And his fundamental philosophy of life is elemental and honest.
The other interesting part of the book is about the vast differences between the provinces; gigantic Quebec, with its French-speaking population, the impoverished Maritimes that once were the most important part of Canada, the vast prairies and oilfields of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Albert, and the rainforested British Columbia. Plus the unincorporated territories the Yukon and Northwest. Each is practically a country on its own, and it wasn't only Quebec that wanted to secede--so did Nova Scotia at one time.
While this is mostly a travelogue, it is an interesting view of Canada from one man's point of view. Interesting reading if not a factual history of Canada.
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