North Vancouver is one of the most historic areas of BC's Lower Mainland, with a district population of more than 120,000 people, and more than 45,000 living in the City of North Vancouver itself. The area's easy access to downtown Vancouver, its multi-use waterfront and many recreational opportunities have made it one of the province's most desirable places to live, an enviable mix of residential and commercial development in the midst of one of the most spectacular natural settings in the world.

But how did this thriving multicultural city develop from a hodgepodge of wood frame buildings and muddy trails in just 100 years? The Ambitious City details the fascinating story of North Vancouver, from the migration of the Squamish people to Burrard Inlet, to the settlement of Moodyville in the 1800s through to the city's incorporation in 1907. The development of the area's shipbuilding industry and the economic and cultural revitalization of Lonsdale Avenue is also covered.

Published in honour of the City of North Vancouver's 2007 centennial, The Ambitious City is a dynamic popular history that includes first-person accounts as well as a host of archival photos and illustrations. Warren Sommer skillfully connects the community's history with that of the province, covering ethnic relations, colonialism, labour history and politics.