Original Highways: Travelling the Great Rivers of Canada

by Roy MacGregor

Expanding on his landmark Globe and Mail series in which he documented his travels down sixteen of Canada's great rivers, Roy MacGregor tells the story of our country through the stories of its original highways, and how they sustain our spirit, identity and economy—past, present and future.No country is more blessed with fresh water than Canada. From the mouth of the Fraser River in BC, to the Bow in Alberta, the Red in Manitoba, the Gatineau, the Saint John and the most historic of all Canada's rivers, the St. Lawrence, our beloved chronicler of Canadian life, Roy MacGregor, has paddled, sailed and traversed their lengths, learned their stories and secrets, and the tales of centuries lived on their rapids and riverbanks. He raises lost tales, like that of the Great Tax Revolt of the Gatineau River, and reconsiders histories like that of the Irish would-be settlers who died on Grosse Ile and the incredible resilience of settlers in the Red River Valley. Along the Grand, the Ottawa and others, he meets the successful conservationists behind the resuscitation of polluted wetlands, including Toronto's Don, the most abused river in Canada. In the Mackenzie River Valley he witnesses the Dehcho First Nation's effort to block a pipeline they worry endangers the region's lifeblood.Long before our national railroad was built, rivers held Canada together; in these sixteen portraits, filled with yesterday's adventures and tomorrow's promise, MacGregor weaves together a story of Canada and its ongoing relationship with its most precious resource.

Genres: Nonfiction, Canada, Travel, History, Geography

335 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 14, 2017

About the author

Roy MacGregor is a Canadian author of fiction and non-fiction.

Reviews

[R.J. Gilmour · Rating 3 out of 5]

MacGregor's book is broken into chapters about rivers in Canada. Because MacGregor is journalist the style is a pastiche of personal stories and his encounters with people who live or work on the rivers in question and how they all need to be saved from misuse. I really wanted to like this book more than I actually did, probably because it is such a great idea. But sadly, the style and content was repetitive without offering any real substantive information about the rivers themselves. I was hoping for a little more geographical information about each rivers (detailed maps would have helped), and how the rivers played an important part in the development of the country. Too often these details were ignored in favour of quick reportage.

[Unofficial Zac Bishop · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great rivers of Canada? More like great rivers of Ontario. Kidding a bit but this book definitely is very Ontario-centric. How you gonna wrote about the Ottawa, Gatineau and Rideau canal but skip the Yukon? Did enjoy it though, lotta dope river facts and history tidbits. Dude does name check stevezey harper pretty early on tho...

Update 2018-06-04: holy shit this dude also wroth the screech owls hockey mystery books. Loved that shit when I was 10. Guys had me pegged for years I guess

[Chuck Slack · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It is a history lesson, environmental lesson, and a bit of engineering as well. Highly recommend it to anyone that enjoys Canada’s rivers, nature, and history.

[Leif · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly good, although the sketch histories are sometimes strangely undercooked and there's a strong - albeit not overly controlling - emphasis on Ontario, both in terms of narrative importance and regional focus. Even though it's not really a historical text or an ecological one, I learned a lot. For moments there, reading about the creation of the Ottawa canal system while in Byward, I think I almost heard the curses of the canalworkers.

[Marco · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

Interesting but sometimes repetitive, it is definitely a must-read for Canadians, but one that come slow and with self-determination.
In honesty, I struggle finishing, not because of the content but because of the "monotony" in which it is placed.
For every river we have ups and downs, finished with environmental problems and solutions. It is not wrong, I enjoy learning and getting inspired of doing somethin more every day for the inevitable environmental challenges we'll face, but it gets hard to ready it for over 300 pages.

[Tim Chesterton · Rating 4 out of 5]

My wife and I read this one together. It wasn't what we were expecting, but it was very good.

Roy MacGregor takes a close look at sixteen iconic Canadian rivers: the Columbia, the Fraser, the Bow, the North Saskatchewan, the Red, the Dumoine, the Ottawa, the Don, the Grand, the Niagara, the Muskoka, the Rideau, the Gatineau, the St. Lawrence, and the Saint John. He writes as a journalist, with an eye to current events and contemporary stories. but he is also well aware of the history behind these rivers. I actually expected more history (and would have welcomed more), but what was there was accurate and well-written, and I suspect most Canadians would learn more about the story of their country from reading it. He also writes as a keen canoeist who has paddled many of these rivers. This hands-on perspective adds what might be called a water-level view to the narrative, and I enjoyed it.

This book also tells a sad story. Most of these rivers are in difficulty because of human activity. Some of them have been brought back, but some have not. We depend on the water from these rivers, but we continue to pollute them with industrial waste, sewage, garbage, and chemicals. In the words of Jacques Courcelles (whose family have lived near the Red River in Manitoba for five generations), "Sometimes you have to think beyond your lifetime". Some Canadians are getting this message. Many, sadly, are not. It's ironic that many of the same people who get agitated about leaving government debt for their grandchildren to deal with seem to have no such qualms about leaving their grandchildren to deal with the consequences of their (our) environmental irresponsibility.

I would recommend this book to all Canadians who want to earn more about our country's history and geography. I would also recommend it to newcomers to this country. If you want to find out about the soul of Canada, this is a good place to start.

[Khalil Shariff]

From Hill Times review - Nov 2017

[Geoffrey Kelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Roy MacGregor is good company. His books on Canada and our relationship with nature and our geography are always worth a read. In this book, he takes us to 15 rivers in Canada, from the majestic St Lawrence to the violent Fraser River to the peaceful seclusion on the Dumoine River in northwestern Québec. He describes the beauty of each River, gives an account of its history, then outlines the challenges of either repairing the damage done through pollution and neglect, or the struggles to preserve the waterway from human encroachment. He introduces us to passionate people he found along the way, fierce defenders of their river, committed to restoration and preservation. Hop in a canoe and go for a trip with Roy MacGregor!

[Tim Basuino · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fairly decent ecological overview of the importance of water for, not just the great country of Canada, but the world at large.

I will admit that at one point the book tempted parody: "Here is River X. While it is very beautiful, mankind's intrusion caused it to be polluted, affecting in particular the livelihood of First Nation. Fortunately wiser souls have prevailed and River X, while it will never achieve its status of its heyday, is at least recovering".

But there are a couple of chapters near the end that refute this... two that have held up over time relatively well. The latter of which is the source of a very humorous story involving Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau.

EDIT: I will agree with other reviewers that some more detailed maps would have been extremely helpful. But at least we have Google Maps....

[Richard Thompson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short portraits of sixteen Canadian rivers (although the piece on the Columbia River dealt almost exclusively with the American portion of the river). Several of the rivers I was unaware of or only vaguely familiar with — the Dumoine, the Muskoka, the Gatineau and Don — and there were bits of history and and background in each section that were interesting.

The lack of maps cost the book a star, and the photos were mostly of people standing in front of what I wanted to see. I was able to fill in some of the blanks with Google Maps and Images.

MacGregor references THE DEATH AND LIFE OF THE GREAT LAKES by Dan Egan in his section on the St. Lawrence and MIGHTY RIVER by Richard C. Bocking in his section on the Fraser, both excellent reads.

[John Geary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thought-provoking. Entertaining. Informative. All things you look for in a really good book – and this one has them. I’ve read several of Roy MacGregor‘s books and I’m never disappointed.
In writing about some of the various rivers that form such an integral part of Canadian history, the author provides historical context, interesting stories, and often created great concern within myself for the future of our rivers and other waters in Canada. I often shook my head, reading about so many follies humans commit in polluting and ruining the very stuff that gives us life. But there is an always an element of hope throughout the book.
An enjoyable read whether you’re a conservationist, environmentalist, a paddler, a history buff, or a combination of any or all of those.

[Todd · Rating 2 out of 5]

We bought it thinking it would be about the author canoeing the rivers. Mostly, though the author has lifted quotes from a lot of other books to filled this one with random paragraphs. The history of the explorers is interesting. Inevitably each river has been used for sewage, logging, and pulp mill toxins. And there are now initiatives to clean it up. And a group that wants theirs named a heritage river.

There is a drawing of most of the rivers. Well, a single squiggly line drawn on a blank page actually. Colour Maps to show the river's full route would be much better. Saving the read from having to look it up on-line.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book wasn't entirely what I was expecting - the first several chapters/rivers were more about stewardship and how we are failing than about the history of the rivers but overall this was a very interesting read. I've laid eyes on 13 of the 16 rivers mentioned so I was fascinated to learn more about them. We need to do better by our waterways and this book shows why. We lose part of ourselves as Canadians when we let these original highways get destroyed.

[David Cavaco · Rating 4 out of 5]

A journey through Canada's most notable and historic rivers by journalist and avoid canoe traveler, Roy MacGregor. Each chapter focuses on an iconic Canadian river focusing on history, environmental challenges and other neat facts. Even if you have never experienced these rivers first-hand, this book will convince you of Canada's symbiotic and eternal relationship with rivers and waterways. Enjoyable read!

[Beckett Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Water teaches us how to live, how to forgive, how to believe. If you open your ears to the possibilities in life, you may just be able to hear the sound of the pure water that flows through your body even now. It is the sound of your life—a melody of healing.”

An interesting read on 16 of Canada’s rivers. A look at their histories, their troubles, their triumphs, where they’ve been, and where they may be headed.

[Lorena · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 rounded up. Finished this just over a month ago. Interesting to learn parts of the history of the land that I didn't know. Something about the author's approach irked me though, I think it was just the subtle underlying conservatism, but I can't be sure. Definitely intriguing which rivers he chose to cover and why.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was superbly researched and written - that much is clear. The content and style is interesting and intriguing - but not what I expected. So that’s why it gets a three. For not meeting my expectations but for being well done.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Water! Our most certain priority for the future. Btw canoe/camped on Camp Lake in the late 1950s, into Flossie Lake and discovered the little waterfall that most certainly is the boundary of Algonquin Park. Loved this book.

[KL · Rating 2 out of 5]

Less of a history book and more of a current (2015) state of affairs for mainly Ontario rivers. Way to many America cultural (ex. Movies, actors) references. Canada history is more interesting than some Marilyn Monroe movie trivia.

[Steven Townend · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. Although I thought it was going to concentrate on the geography of the rivers this wasn't the case. It was more about the characters and some of the stories surrounding each of the rivers.

[Dennis Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it a lot--great book. Like Lakeland, but with more emphasis on environmental concerns.

[Jared · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very Canadian book. If you like paddling or have a connection to Canadian rivers this is a great read.

[Craig Morland · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Brandon Girard · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mostly about the politics surrounding the rivers at the time of writing.

The endnotes/bibliography is what garnered it 2 stars.

[Nigella Blunt]

Qur’an: Chapter 51, Verse 24, 28—
Has the report of Abraham’s honored guests ever come to you? … He felt fear concerning them. They said: “Don’t be afraid,” and gave him the news of a clever lad.

[Phil Spencer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting journey through several monumental rivers of Canada. Let’s go for a paddle!

[Huguette Larochelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

the water that rinses your filthy vehicle in the car wash, one week might be going down your throat the next. nothing is more recyclable then water .
i am a big fan .Roy MacGregor.

[Vontel]

I started this wonderful book quite some time ago. Unfortunately, I get easily sidetracked by new mysteries and novels that cross my path. I will try to focus more on this one, even if it's just reading one chapter at a time. Each focuses on a separate river system, looking at physical, human, and cultural geography. The book has a section of B&W photos.

Have to return to library, will request again at another time.

[Joan Bennett · Rating 1 out of 5]

Error! I have never read this book!!

[Dan Buchanan]

Reading Original Highways by Roy MacGregor was like taking a whole bunch of summer holidays within the pages of a book. Canadian history is, certainly, focussed very much around our major rivers and this book tells us where we have been and where we are going. Rivers are living things, they get sick and recover, we hope. Actually, it was good to learn of all the great things folks are doing to clean up and protect the rivers.

There was only one thing I was curious about when I finished. Where's the Trent River? I suppose you can't include all rivers, but, as someone who grew up not far from the Trent, I was rather annoyed not to learn the same stuff about it as the others. Hmmm.......

Good book. Leared a lot.