Frog Lake Massacre, Bill Gallaher
|
Posted by Lori Henry Dec 2, 2008 |
Bill Gallaher’s new book, The Frog Lake Massacre, is a surprisingly sweet experience. Following a young man who re-names himself Wild Jack Strong, readers are drawn into the character by his honesty and mistakes.
His decision to turn his life around and leave Victoria, BC, ends up changing his whole outlook on the world, especially opening his eyes to the relations between the “white man” and the aboriginal people.
This fictional account of the happenings at Frog Lake and across the prairies gives a personal glimpse into the life of those who lived it. Jack embarks on an adventure he never thought possible and ends up seeing his friends die and much blood shed.
But the lessons he learns are big enough to make the experience worthwhile. The well-known historical figures of Big Bear and Poundmaker are all included, as are fictional characters that create a vivid picture of the battles that erupted in the late 19th century North-West Rebellions.
I especially recommend this book to those in high school learning about Canadian history. The drama and interesting thoughts of Wild Jack Strong make for a compelling read and allow those who might not be the best at remembering facts, the chance to learn about the history from outside of the textbooks.
Author: Bill Gallaher
Publisher: Touchwood Editions
ISBN: 9781894898751
 |