Daniel Francis

Reading the National Narrative

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September 19, 2024

One of the nice things about autumn is that it means the Vancouver Historical Society will resume its series of monthly lectures.

This season's inaugural session is on Thursday evening, Sept. 26, and features artist Henry Tsang talking about his book/walking tour/interactive art event White Riot 1907 about racial disturbances in the city.

The presentation kicks off at 7 p.m...

September 16, 2024

The award-winning cultural historian and biographer, Maria Tippett, died last week at her home on Pender Island. She was 79 years old.

Anyone interested in the cultural history of Canada, and particularly British Columbia, owes a huge debt to Ms Tippett. Her 1979 biography of Emily Carr (above, my well-worn copy) won a Governor General's Award and her 1998 biography of Fred Varley, ...

August 17, 2024

Commercial Drive is Vancouver's favourite bohemian hotspot and for many years "The Drive's" most energetic chronicler has been Jak King, who sadly passed away last week.

I did not know him but I did know his three books on the Grandview neighbourhood, as well as his blog, Jak's View, where...

June 30, 2024

June 29, 2024

Harbour Publishing, for whom I have produced several books over the years, including the Encyclopedia of British Columbia (above), is feted in today's Vancouver Sun.

Harbour turns fifty this year and its founders', Howie and Mary White, deserve all the accolades they are...

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