Images of our Past, Historic Shelburne. (New in Print).

Authors: Sarah Acker & Lewis Jackson

Halifax: Nimbus Publishing Ltd. 2001. 140 Pages. Softcover. $18.95 Cdn.

Reviewed by Peter W. Johnson UE

This is a delightful book, but beyond its compact attractiveness, it helps to explode a persistent myth for anyone west of the Maritimes. Indeed, anyone west of the Maritimes would do well to have a look at it.

We've all heard the story of Loyalist Shelburne, and how, for a brief period, it was one of the largest communities in North America. We've been left with the myth that there was very little remaining of Shelburne after the boom days. This explodes the myth. Shelburne continued to be a lively place and this book takes a good look at a wide range of photos from the Victorian Era right up to 1950. You'll meet the people of Shelburne, view a variety of homes, civic buildings, businesses, and churches, and check out a good selection of nautical photos. Generally, there's one photo per page, and each photo is accompanied by a well-considered text.

Unfortunately I have never had the pleasure of visiting Shelburne, but when that day comes, I will do my homework by returning to this book for a good grounding in post-Loyalist Shelburne.

Nimbus Publishing Limited can be reached at P.O. Box 9166, Halifax NS, B3K 5M8, or by calling [phone].