The Best Canadian History Books of All Time

Discover the most influential canadian history books, recommended by leaders, experts, and readers worldwide

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Recommendations by Jeanfrançois Lisée, Gord Miller, Ellen Page, Steve Schmidt and 10 others

Not sure what to read? Our AI can suggest the most recommended Canadian History books!

1
Book Cover of Tim Cook - The Fight for History: 75 Years of Forgetting, Remembering, and Remaking Canada's Second World War

By Tim Cook – Chief Historian at the Canadian War Museum (you?) 

4.80
| 2020 | 512 Pages
Recommended for: 
History enthusiasts and students. Ages 12 to Adults.
You will:
  • Learn about Canada's evolving memory of World War II over the decades.
  • Discover the impact of war on Canadian nationalism and identity.
  • Understand the complexities of historical narratives and memory.
  • Explore the contributions of Canadian forces during the Second World War.
  • Recognize the importance of veterans' stories in shaping history.
Reviews:
Insightful Analysis
Well-Researched
Engaging Narrative
Thought-Provoking
Historical Perspective
Repetitive
Too Detailed
  • National Bestseller
  • Finalist for the Ottawa Book Awards
Maclean’sCook [is] an indispensable war historian.… By exploring how Canadians arrived, after so long, at new ways of understanding World War II, Cook shows that even the most calcified historical perspectives can ultimately prove pliable. Anyone fighting for a better grasp of history—whether it’s our constitutional roots, our colonial past, or our heroes and villains—should take heart
The Toronto Star[Cook] provides some insight into what has been driving this passion for the past and its stories.… What Cook makes clear is that the fight for history and the shaping of social memory is a process that never stops. Against the forces of apathy and indifference we must push back
Policy MagazineThe influential Canadian military historian Tim Cook … has taken up the torch from Jack Granatstein and the late Desmond Morton as a new generation's pre-eminent voice in the field.… Cook's many strengths are again evident. He writes fluidly, with a sharp eye for detail and the telling anecdote.… His descriptions of the mental challenges that soldiers faced after the war, drawn from letters, are heartbreaking.… After years of neglect, Cook concludes, the Second World War ‘has been waiting for us to return to it.’ As he explains so eloquently, it's an invitation we need to accept
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2
Book Cover of Derek Hayes - Canada: An Illustrated History: An Illustrated History, Revised and Expanded

By Derek Hayes – Bestselling author and geographer (you?) 

4.71
| 2017 | 296 Pages
Recommended for: 
History enthusiasts and students. Ages 12 to Adults.
You will:
  • Learn about Canada's early exploration and settlement history through engaging narratives and visuals.
  • Discover significant events in Canadian history, including crime, punishment, and Prohibition.
  • Understand the impact of various individuals on Canada's development, from famous to obscure figures.
  • Explore the evolution of Canadian currency and its historical significance through illustrated examples.
  • Gain insights into Canada's participation in space exploration and its modern political landscape.
Reviews:
Well Illustrated
Informative
Engaging Narrative
Comprehensive Coverage
Accessible
Expensive
Limited Depth
  • New York Times Bestseller
  • Rated Amazon Best Book of the Year
Publisher's WeeklyThose looking for a reference guide to major events in Canadian history will appreciate this beautifully illustrated and designed book… Hayes provides a useful overview that brings together hundreds of stunning photographs, paintings, and historical documents in a worthy addition to Canadian history collections
The Midwest Book ReviewImpressively informative, exceptionally well written, thoroughly 'reader friendly' in organization and presentation from cover to cover, 'Canada: An Illustrated History' is unreservedly recommended for personal, community, and academic library Canadian History collections in general, and supplemental studies reading lists in particular
Columbia TribuneHistory and geography buffs who want to learn more about Canada need look no further than the 'Historical Atlas of Canada' by Derek Hayes (Douglas & McIntyre, 2015). This oversize paperback spans 1000 years of history from the earliest coastal navigators to colonization and settlement by the French and English. Hayes thoroughly chronicles European exploration of the interior, the fur trade, war and continued western and northern expansion of the nation through the 20th century. The book contains segments focusing on the annexation of each province, as well as the effects of land development on the native populations. Truly unique in form, this volume is a treasure trove of vintage maps and images of the region collected from archives across the nation, some which have never before been published
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Canadian History Book made by AI

By TailoredRead – AI that creates personalized books for you 

4.98
| 2025 | 30-300 pages
Learn Canadian History faster with a book created specifically for you by state-of-the-art AI. Our AI has vast knowledge of Canadian History, and will craft a custom-tailored book for you in just 10 minutes. This tailored book addresses YOUR unique interests, goals, knowledge level, and background. Available for online reading, PDF download, and Kindle, your custom book will provide personalized insights to help you learn faster, expand your horizons, and accomplish your goals. Embark on your Canadian History learning journey with a personalized book - made exclusively for you.
Recommended for: 
All readers across all knowledge levels.
You will:
  • Get a Canadian History book tailored to your interests, goals, and background
  • Receive a book precisely matching your background and level of knowledge
  • Select which topics you want to learn, exclude the topics you don't
  • Define your learning goals and let your book guide you to accomplish them
  • Get all the knowledge you need consolidated into a single focused book
Reviews:
Insightful
Focused
Highly Personalized
Easy to Read
Engaging
Actionable
Up-to-Date
3
Book Cover of Robyn Maynard - Policing Black Lives: State Violence in Canada from Slavery to the Present

By Robyn Maynard – Assistant Professor of Black Feminisms in Canada (you?) 

4.70
| 2017 | 292 Pages
Recommended for: 
Scholars and activists interested in social justice. Ages 12 to Adults.
You will:
  • Learn about the historical context of anti-Black racism in Canada.
  • Discover the impact of state violence on Black communities.
  • Understand the intersectionality of race and gender in Canada.
  • Explore the legacy of slavery in contemporary society.
  • Recognize the importance of Black resistance movements.
Reviews:
Meticulously Researched
Compelling Analysis
Eye-Opening
Important Read
Accessible Prose
Academic Tone
Intense Read
  • New York Times Bestseller
  • Rated Amazon Best Book of the Year
Recommended by Mona Eltahawy
Mona EltahawyYou’re more than welcome, Robyn. Thank you for such an excellent and necessary book. Love and solidarity ❤️✊
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