Six Crucial Decades: Times of Change in the History of the Maritimes

by John G. Reid

An insightful account of Maritime history. By isolating and examining specific events that occurred during six decades, the author shows how the course of history in this region was altered and examines the social and economic consequences that followed.

208 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1987

Reviews

[Karin · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book didn't make a good first impression. It desperately needs an update. The first chapters are told through a colonialist lens and use outdated terms for the Maritime First Nations. Later chapters felt more even-keeled. Won't be reading this one again, but would be interested in reading a revised edition.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read in parts, skimmed in others. This is a synthesis of a bunch of other books and articles that offer more specific info (many of which I also currently have checked out of the library). But this is really good for a quick perusal because it provides the big picture. Useful, for example, after the insane detail of the book I just read about PEI in the 1780s/90s, to get a chapter on how that fits in with what was going on in the rest of the Maritime provinces. Reid tries in each of the six chapters to explode particular myths, like the idea that the Acadian expulsion can be blamed on one or two "villains," or the many Loyalist-related myths. There's some good info here too about the complicated battling and maneuvering that came with the fight over confederation.