HOT
OFF THE PRESS
 Danger, Death, Disaster: Coal Mining
in the Crowsnest Pass, 1902-1928
By Karen Buckley
The Crowsnest Pass is famous for the tragic rock
slide at Frank in 1903, but almost as famous are the many coal-mining
tragedies
that afflicted the region in the early 20th century. With the
discovery of a rich coal deposit in the Crowsnest region, the
area underwent an economic boom and spike in population. Using
original source material, Buckley portrays the psychological
and sociological features of both the individual and collective
responses to death and danger – giving the reader a unique
picture of mining communities that is as true today as it was
a century ago. The book will be available in bookstores later
this month.
Karen
Buckley has a Master’s degree in
Canadian history from U of C and is currently a records analyst,
U of C Archives.
 Harm’s
Way: Disasters in Western Canada
Edited by Anthony Rasporich and Max Foran The stories told in this collection illustrate the steadfast
determination and courage of people in the face of misfortune
and extreme distress. From the lesser-known weed outbreaks
and tornadoes to the worldwide influenza outbreak in 1918 that
devastated
many Calgary families, these stories focus on the human response
to disaster. The resolution to continue to fight and the persistence
of the human spirit comes through in each of the stories, which
reflect an important part of Western Canada’s history.
Anthony Rasporich is professor emeritus at the Faculty of History
at the U of C. Max Foran is assistant professor in Canadian Studies
at the U of C.
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