Atlantic Canada: A Region in the Making

Dr. James K. Hiller

The pasts of four Canadian provinces are converging into one,known today as Atlantic Canada.

Atlantic Canada: A Region in the Making, is the work of Dr. James K. Hiller, History, and Dr. Margaret R. Conrad of Acadia University’s Department of History. Atlantic Canada is the third of six volumes in a series outlining the history of Canada by region, through narratives and illustrations. It is the first single-volume history of Atlantic Canada to be published.

The expression “Atlantic Canada,” did not come into use until after 1949 when Newfoundland joined Canada, but the history behind this region goes back much further.

The book consists of 11 chapters which encompass a time span of several thousand years, starting with the geological origins of the land, and moving on to the earliest settlers and their descendants.

“It is a comprehensive history not dominated by politics,” Dr. Hiller said. “In fact, it focuses on the social and economic histories in addition to the political histories of all four Atlantic Provinces – Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador.”

Dr. Hiller, who has written on many aspects of Newfoundland and Labrador’s history, said the book is designed for the general audience, although it may be used in university-level courses.

Atlantic Canada, has received only favourable reviews so far and, the publisher has sold the original 5,000 printed copies. A second printing of the book is expected in the near future. Dr. Hiller credits many of the sales to these positive reviews, especially that of the Globe and Mail: “We were very glad to see it reviewed in the Globe and that no doubt pushed the sales.”

Atlantic Canada is published by Oxford University Press.