Nova Scotia at War, 1914-1919

by Brian Douglas Tennyson

When the First World War ended in 1918, its profound impact did not. The war continued to haunt a nation. Nova Scotia at War, 1914-1919 is an in-depth study of Nova Scotia’s role that was, at the time, the most traumatic collective experience in the history of Canadians. As Tennyson explores in nine fascinating chapters, the war effort was more than just the brave soldiers and sailors who went overseas; it was also the civilians who worked in the fishery, on the farms, and in the forests, coals mines, and steel mills.

A specialist in early twentieth-century Canadian political history, author and historian Brian Tennyson examines the economic impact of the war, which shattered Nova Scotia’s dream of becoming the Atlantic gateway and the industrial heartland of Canada. Includes 30 black and white photos.

Genres: History

344 pages, Paperback

Published October 18, 2017

Reviews

[Mandy Lehti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nova Scotia at War, 1914–1919 by Brian Douglas Tennyson is a deeply researched and poignant account of how one province bore the weight of a world at war and how that experience reshaped its identity for generations. Through meticulous scholarship and human insight, Tennyson transforms military history into a profoundly local story of courage, sacrifice, and resilience.

Across nine captivating chapters, he examines not just the soldiers who fought overseas, but the families, workers, and communities who sustained them from home. The result is a panoramic portrait of a society mobilized factories roaring, women stepping into new roles, and coastal towns living under the shadow of submarines and tragedy. Tennyson captures the tension between pride and pain, showing how the war both unified and forever altered Nova Scotia’s people.

What sets this work apart is its balance of academic precision and emotional depth. It’s not just about troop movements or political policies it’s about humanity under pressure, and the echoes of war that continued to shape Nova Scotia long after 1918. For readers of Canadian history, military studies, or social transformation, Nova Scotia at War is an indispensable and evocative exploration of how global conflict touches every local heart.

[Gwen Tuinman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m so grateful to have come across this detailed account of Nova Scotia’s involvement in World War One. In writing about the multiple complexities of this topic, Brian Douglas Tennyson seamlessly guides us through his deep research in a manner that let’s us take it all the details concerning politics and the military. I especially appreciate the insight into life before the war and social justice battles waging on the home front (prohibition, suffrage, discrimination). Through Tennyson’s writing, the reader senses his great affection for Nova Scotians and dedication to helping us understand the experiences of people at the front and the challenges of loved ones who awaited their return. It’s easy to see why this book was the recipient of the 2018 Atlantic Book Award for historical writing.

[Jason Deveau · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent, well-researched and east-to-read book about Nova Scotia's contribution to the First World War, placed into the socio-economic and political context of the mid-1910s. I highly recommend it!

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unfortunately, this book was rather dry, and the author was inclined to communicate his opinion a little too forcefully to the reader, but I enjoyed learning more about Nova Scotia (and the home front in Canada in general) during the First World War.