Toronto: A Sketchy History

by Brian Gable

The brilliantly talented Brian Gable, seven-time winner of the National Newspaper Award for political cartoons, takes readers on a witty, visual journey through Toronto’s transformation from a modest military garrison to a bustling metropolis.

With over seventy original sketches, Gable captures the city’s most pivotal moments, weaving together humour and history in a brisk, engaging narrative. A Sketchy History is a lively tribute to a city whose past is as colourful as its present.

134 pages, Paperback

Published March 11, 2025

Reviews

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Toronto: A Sketchy History, is a short graphic history of Toronto by Brian Gable, a well known and long running former political cartoonist from the Globe and Mail. The book chronicles both Brian's attempt to create an illustrated character for Toronto (ultimately landing on a modestly dressed, puritanical representation of "Toronto the Good") and chronicling the history of Toronto from its earliest inceptions, through Indigenous times, early settlement, war and rebellion, and finally, into a growing community and then large urban area of modern times. Toronto has always had a puritanical representation, largely run by Anglican priests and officials in its early history, only beginning its discovery of flavour and fun in the early to mid twentieth century. It's been called "Cleveland in Rhinestones" by some, and often embraces its modest and "boring" critiques - Toronto is a place that can be hostile to some, but its a beloved city to me. Toronto continues to be a city of shocked puritans - every change met with shock, and yet it builds its monuments all the same. A city of great contradictions, and many interesting nooks and crannies, and one that is often met with disdain by the rest of Canada - even though Torontonians would not give a seconds thought to what the rest of us think. A great city all the same, and this book really does it justice, all to the cartoonish stylings of Brian Gable. A fun little read.

[Azal Basbous · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmm I would've liked it better if it was more bold, but still there is a lot of humor and implicit critic. Tbh, I am always making contrasts between cities, and the fact that the author did that through his sketches and caricatures is an excellent way to visualize it. Sketching a symbol for this city is way more complicated than just drawing a beaver though the author went with the 'safe' plain choice: a middle-aged woman with a TORONTO sweater... Anyways, it's definitely a quick fun read.

[Janice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unique cartoonist art blended with telling Toronto's history. I enjoyed the pictures and also learned new things about my city alongside interesting tidbits.