Softcover / Hardcover
Black & White 156 pages 5.5 x 8.5 inches ISBN: 9780888876928 Borealis Press $15.00 (Softcover) *There are a few hardcover copies available - $19.95 |
His bravery often made the difference between life and death.
TRADER'S SON Book 2 of Helen's Canadian Historical Series Trader’s Son is history brought to life, a uniquely Canadian story told from the perspective of a young Hudson’s Bay Company trader, T. Robert Ross. A sweeping story of life in the wilderness, Trader’s Son chronicles a dramatic time in Canadian history. Ross lived in the north woods of Quebec and Ontario during the last thirty years of the 19th century. His story begins in 1883 at an isolated HBC post one hundred and fifty miles north of Lake Huron. Growing up as a fur trader’s son and then becoming a trader himself, his life is one of adventure in this new, untamed country. He travels and explores by canoe and dogsled, building strong respectful relations with his trading partners, the Anishinabeg-Ojibwe. Ross’ survival often depends on his ability to make life-and-death choices. As many Canadians have throughout our history, he also has to make decisions about his life’s path, whether to remain with the HBC as it changes from a fur trading giant to a retail empire or to leave the Company and strike out on his own in the new western prairie province of Alberta. Book 1 Company Wife | Book 2 Trader's Son |
Book 3 Medical Man | Book 4 A Company Man |
Reviews
“. . . factual and insightful account full of dramatic and exciting stories of life in the forests of northern Ontario. This book brings a time in our history to life through exploring the hardships and joys of living, travelling and surviving in the wilds of our young country. There is nothing of the dry history text about the Trader’s Son. In fact this book goes a long way toward showing how very vibrant and interesting Canadian history really is.” - Marg Smith
"Congratulations... this book is beautiful; writing, content and appearance. Your work is super and important to Canada." - Frank Tierney
Exerpt
"...Robert saw himself as an Ojibwe warrior in this contest and the blood pounded in his ears as he charged across the clearing ready to smash the stuffed deerskin ball against the red flannel. Dimly in the background he had heard increasing yelling and drumming from the village but he had ignored the sounds in the heat of the baggataway battle. Finally his mother's voice calling his name cut through the sweaty haze and looking around, he realized that his brothers had abandoned the game and were running to the house. Even more astonishing to Robert was the way his Ojibwe friends instantly melted into the forest surrounding the HBC post. Even Neejogan, his best friend, slipped away from the clearing into the dark trees.
For the span of several heartbeats, Robert stood alone, panting and staring at the woods. But now the sound of the drums grew very close. Whipping his head around towards the lake, he saw with a jolt of alarm that a number of war canoes were almost at the beach and the reason for his mother's frantic voice became clear.
"Robert, run home. run as fast as you can. Now, Robert! Run! Run!"
He ran and in seconds reached the safety of the cabin. Simon yanked him inside, the heavy wooden door slammed shut behind him, his mother dropped the bar across the door and he joined his panting, sweaty brothers in a heap on the floor as Ma snapped out orders...."
For the span of several heartbeats, Robert stood alone, panting and staring at the woods. But now the sound of the drums grew very close. Whipping his head around towards the lake, he saw with a jolt of alarm that a number of war canoes were almost at the beach and the reason for his mother's frantic voice became clear.
"Robert, run home. run as fast as you can. Now, Robert! Run! Run!"
He ran and in seconds reached the safety of the cabin. Simon yanked him inside, the heavy wooden door slammed shut behind him, his mother dropped the bar across the door and he joined his panting, sweaty brothers in a heap on the floor as Ma snapped out orders...."
