Books in this category are historical in nature and may include regional histories or history of sport related to teams or individuals who contributed to the Atlantic story. More recently it has included historical novels and memoirs. 
Huskies, in Pursuit of Excellence: A Celebration of Saint Mary’s University Varsity Athletic Programs 1951-2012
Please click on the photo on the left to get a proper representation of the cover
This is pre-publication offer only to reserve your copies. Publication date: Sept., 2012. See information below for ordering details.
In addition to the historical background for the early years of sport and varsity programs at Saint Mary’s University, readers will be treated to fascinating remembrances, stories and essays from a wide spectrum of writers, observers, participants (players and coaches), as well as friends and competitors over six decades (1951-2012). Although the Table of Contents outlines the body of material included, it cannot do justice to the thousands of student athletes, coaches, faculty, university alumni and fans who experienced the highs and lows, the disappointments and triumph of teams who competed under the banner of the Maroon & White. Witness literally the many hundreds of players and coaches – see the names of those who participated – the individual stars, as well as the dedicated supporting casts – those whose combined efforts made it possible to compete and win – while earning a degree that helped them compete and win in life after their university days had ended. Readers will remember not only the games, but will recall sharing classes and off-campus celebrations with those who toiled on their behalf in the various arenas of sport.
The book also is dedicated to those pioneers who were the initiators and who developed the foundation for varsity programs dedicated to excellence and respect.
This production is not a detailed history, nor are all varsity programs reported on equally (at least not with respect to space), as the committee had to depend upon the volunteer efforts of so many . . . and sixty years is a long time. We are indebted to those who spent countless hours for nearly two years to bring this publication to you, representing what Saint Mary’s has stood for in the past and what it represents in this community today. Its essence is a celebration of 60 years of varsity sport as seen through the eyes of some fifty or so writers – and it is hoped that it will bring back many memories for you . . . to strengthen your bonds and/or support you on your journey in life as a part of the Saint Mary’s community.
The publication date will be September, 2012. The size is 10 x 8; 300 pages on 80 lb gloss with a mix of colour and BW photos. The price of $25 quoted here is an ADVANCE PRICE ONLY for alumni and friends if ordered with printed form; or by mail (cheque); or online via PAYPAL; or by calling the toll free number 1-877-211-3334 with credit card (Visa or MasterCard). Orders submitted via phone with a credit card will reserve your copy, but will not be processed until July-August, 2012. Shipping to Canada or the USA is $10 for 1 0r 2 copies. After the official launch the price will return to the regular retail.
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The series of Appendices that are listed on the following thirty plus pages lists all of the awards winners: (eg, university MVPs, Athlete-of-the-Year, Rookie-of-the-Year, President’s Awards, etc.); Saint Mary’s AUAA/AUS first and second team All-Stars, MVPs, Rookie awards, and more; SMU CIS Award winners; as well as Coaches and Athletic Directors from the 1950s to today; plus the Academic All-Canadians from its inception in 1997 until 2011.
Despite minor limitations, this series of Appendices will be the first comprehensive awards list in a single place, as records prior to this compilation only existed in numerous locations and formats: some on several different websites, some in archival lists or Excel files; while others only existed on engraved trophies, in individual memories, or as names on photographs that hung in athletic offices or in the Hall of Fame. They are all now in this single publication.
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Three Centuries of Public Art: Historic Halifax Regional Municipality (ISBN 9781895814354)
Three Centuries of Public Art is first for the Halifax Regional Municipality by Barbara DeLory - a publication cataloguing three centuries of the history of the region through its public art: 114 public monuments, cenotaphs, sculptures and statuary illustrated with over 280 full colour photographs, many detailed histories, with nine maps and directions depicting the location of each . . . plus six walking tours of the historic downtown regions. A must for all citizens and visitors. If you listen these pieces will speak to you.
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This historic city and environs began its tradition of public art three centuries ago. Observe the installation of the Town Clock and the Sebastopol Monument, the first out of necessity the latter out of respect. Will the Ranter’s poem printed in the Morning Chronicle of July 25, 1860 echoes Rev. George Hill, rector of St.Pauls Anglican Church’s speech at the unveiling of the Sebastopol Monument, one of the first memorial in all of Canada for the Crimean War … “The lion stands out boldly in his place, His sinewy limbs and muscle we can trace.” Listen as Lady Aberdeen reads a sonnet written for the unveiling of the Jubilee Fountain in the Gardens on June 24, 1897, after she couldn’t pull hard enough to unveil the fountain. Visualize the small bouquets given by the Commissioners of the Gardens to the ladies who attended the unveiling of the Boer War Fountain in 1903. See the audience, some likely in tears, as a guest describes the hardships of fighting in South Africa. Compare that with the trench warfare described by Hon. James Ralston at the unveiling of the Cenotaph in Grand Parade, July 1, 1929.
Witness the unveilings of Robbie Burns and Sir Walter Scott who finally had a coming together in 2010 after the bagpipes and “ Blue Bonnets Over the Border.” Feel the stress on the shoulders of the Cornwallis committee, 1931, to raise the funds, for the cursed even then, founder. Feel the tension as “hard-over’ Harry DeWolf leads HMCS Haida into battle. Pay respect to Churchill, winner of the Battle of the Atlantic and World War 11. Puff out your chest at the provincial government memorial, the Dingle Tower; place your finger on some of the names of those who sacrificed for us in the Cross of Sacrifice.
Construction noises usher in the rebuilding of Halifax’s downtown redevelopment of its waterfront. Watch “Mad Dog” cut, sculpt, and finish Humagination with his requiem “Bless the Cop.” Put your fingers on St. Elmo, patron saint of fisherman, in DeGarth’s 1980s monumental work in Peggy’s Cove. Witness the Bird of Spring’s flight: north, then west, then east. Stony old bird, preening herself in Ondaatje Square alone, until Origins moves in on June 16, 1995.
Celebrate within the Peace Pavilion as Douglas Hurd, British Secretary of State signs the guest book at the opening of this sculpture on June 16, 1995. Discover the origin of the images on the Canoe built to celebrate the International Federation Canoe Sprint World Championship, August 12, 2009. Hear the cadets’ feet marching together to the new Cenotaph in North Preston in 2011.
Trace the coming of our immigrants in the Celtic Cross, Dutch and Korean Cenotaphs, Vytaiemo, the Winged Lion, and Pier 21, Canada historic Immigration Museum. Think hard about the Wheel of Conscience Memorial, June 20 2011, now within this museum. Reacquaint yourself with the Atlantic, Tribune, Titanic, Halifax Explosion, and the Swiss Air disasters. Celebrate the navy’s 100th anniversary with their new pieces of public art.
Smile at the industrial engineering students attempt to make us stop and stare and cry at the art students and their leaders’ memorial to the Fallen Peace Officers. Admire with the students, the “old” but venerable Toby guarding the Convent of the Sacred Heart.
Make your own journey of discovery with Three Centuries of Public Art. If you will, listen, the sculptures are speaking.
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Like the Whistling of the Wind (ISBN 9781895814385)
A sophisticated, imperious but resilient mother and heroine strives to keep herself and her family together during the Revolutionary War (American War of Independence) with her husband and sons away from home on opposite sides in the conflict: Loyalist vs. Patriot; from New York to Saint John (1775 – 83). An historically accurate and linguistic masterpiece for all avid readers — complete with the appurtenances of a new super-novel suitable for film or stage.
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This is the first of the ‘supernovels’, with three themes in one book. Primarily it is an historical novel set during the American Revolutionary War (War of Independence) from 1775-1783. It is a story of a family split along political lines, where the father (a military Colonel who fought with Wolfe at Louisbourg and Quebec) and one son are loyal to the King, while the other son serves with the Continental Army under George Washington. This son serves with Benedict Arnold during the campaigns along Lake Champlain and the ill-fated attack on Quebec City. Later the sons meet at Yorktown with the surrender with British General Charles Cornwallis.
The mother, Sulla Dramma, is the chief protagonist and heroine, who lives for the duration in New York, from where she was eventually evacuated to Saint John, N.B. to join her husband at the end of hostilities. She suffers many personal indignities, including imprisonment in an asylum for the insane (Luza Prison), but is resolute throughout it all to hold her family, (and her New York home which she adores), together. She is a courageous and especially literate woman who wants her sons to be educated as well, but the war has intervened. Her primary contact with the front and her family is through many letters throughout the novel, in which she assiduously corrects for grammar and spelling, not only of her two boys and husband, but even of the great writers and newspaper columnists of the day.
It is a story of the Loyalist/Royalist versus the Patriots/Rebels depending upon which side one is on. The language used is both sophisticated and late 18th Century. It also contains many rhyming couplets and a dozen original musical scores. The emphasis on language is intriguing, especially when arguments between the author and editor erupt as the story reaches a conclusion. It is a masterful mix of historical drama with real historical characters and those created by the author. The details of battles won and lost from 1775-80, including the commanders on both sides, are accurately reflected throughout this 334 page novel.
The novel is an ideal candidate for a film or stage production. The cover is an original painting by portrait artist Jacqui Mitchell.
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Through the Gates of Hell & Back: memoir of a footslogger from ‘The Avenue’ (ISBN 9781895814149)
This book is an unabridged memoir written by and for infantrymen who bore the brunt of war. It chronicles the hardships of the footslogger struggling through the mud and cold, witnessing the torn flesh and death of comrades at arms, penned with a poignant humour and sprinkled with lessons learned,as a boy is transformed into a man during his journey “to and through the gates of hell and back”.
It is the story of the Canadian First Division’s determined and bloody fight through Sicily and Italy, a fight that ended for John Bentley O’Brien on the outskirts of Ortona (The Gully). Follow this personal account from his initial enlistment in the Halifax Rifles in 1940 as a member of the signal corps – to his stint in the Merchant Marine sailing in U-boat infested waters and his subsequent court martial – to his transfer to the West Nova Scotia Regiment with whom he served overseas from 1942-44 – and with whom he remained connected through 40 years of reunions and the Royal Canadian Legion.
Cover is by well-known portrait artist and illustrator Jacqui Mitchell.
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