About BC Books Online
BC Books Online was created for anyone interested in BC-published books, and with librarians especially in mind. We'd like to make it easy for library staff to learn about books from BC publishers - both new releases and backlist titles - so you can inform your patrons and keep your collections up to date.
Our site features print books and ebooks - both new releases and backlist titles - all of which are available to order through regular trade channels. Browse our subject categories to find books of interest or create and export lists by category to cross-reference with your library's current collection.
A quick tip: When reviewing the "Browse by Category" listings, please note that these are based on standardized BISAC Subject Codes supplied by the books' publishers. You will find additional selections, grouped by theme or region, in our "BC Reading Lists."
Description
The names Cook and Quadra ring a bell for most of us, as do Bering and Vancouver, but how much do we know about the Greek-born navigator, Juan de Fuca or the Machiavelli of the maritime fur trade, John Meares? British Columbia's earliest authors and explorers are skilfully introduced, for the first time collectively, by Alan Twigg. This is a compelling account of the characters, events and intrigues that comprised British Columbia's earliest literary history prior to 1800.
Awards
- Short-listed, B.C. Book Prize
Editorial Reviews
“There is absolutely no substitute for this panorama of our shared beginnings.” —Mark Forsythe, CBC Almanac
“First Invaders is a delightful blend of coastal history and literary exploration. I got lost and found in it.” —Edith Iglauer, author of Fishing with John
“There is absolutely no substitute for this panorama of our shared beginnings.” —Mark Forsythe, CBC Almanac
“First Invaders is a fascinating literary exploration . . . the most enjoyable book on B.C. history I have read for years”—Georgia Straight
“Alan Twigg’s engrossing new book, First Invaders: The Literary Origins of British Columbia, is filled with intriguing historical facts.”—Vancouver Sun
“First Invaders is a treasure trove of little-known information . . . it’s hard to imagine a more enthusiastic guide.”—Quill and Quire
“Twigg has a good sense of narrative and renders all his subjects as interesting characters each engaged in his own quest.”—Canadian Literature
“a valuable legacy of unique and often surprising factual accounts from known and obscure individuals”—LitCrits
“The range of sources documented makes First Invaders a valuable resource by any measure”—British Columbia History
“Twigg’s entrance on the stage of History is refreshing and welcome”—Papers of the Bibliographical Society of Canada
“First Invaders is a delightful blend of coastal history and literary exploration. I got lost and found in it.” —Edith Iglauer, author of Fishing with John
“fascinating reading”—Times Colonist
