Edgar Andrew Collard (1911–2000)

Nice collection of stories about Montreal's history. This was one of the sources John Farrow used for his magnum opus, River City, and it is interesting to see how he weaved truth and fiction together to produce his fascinating multi-century historical cirme story. These pieces, taken from an English-language Montreal newspaper, do a good job of painting a picture of times and characters long past. There are stories of terror here - the plague that killed thousands of Irish immigrants and many of the brave souls who acted as their caretakers, including a mayor of Montreal, but also stories about hardy souls who would trek up and across Mont Royal, have a few drinks on the other side, then trek back. If you love Montreal, you'll find this book well worth your while. (And unlike some Montreal histories, it doesn't delve into the city's vices, so you can let your teenager read it.… (meer)