Broadcast excerpts of Cibou now on-line

Cape Breton born Susan Young de Biagi came home to Sydney to launch her novel in early October. Cibou has been enthusiastically received by audiences coast to coast. In her (now) home town of Powell River, BC, a launch is planned for November 14.

You can listen to excerpts from Cibou that were broadcast by CBC Sydney the week of the launch. Read by Stephanie Johnson, of Chapel Island, the excerpts can be found at: http://www.cbc.ca/mainstreetcb/ by scrolling down to Oct. 6, 2008. There you will find four readings and an interview with Susan.

Pictured to the right are Susan and Stephanie at the book launch.

Gaelic poet in final days of Scotand tour

Famhair author Lewis MacKinnon and publisher Mike Hunter are in the final days of their book tour in Scotland. The book was launched at the Royal National Mod in Falkirk, then entertained audiences in Aberdeen, Stornoway, Sleat (Isle of Skye) and Fort William. Oct. 27 they are in Edinburgh, the 28th in Glasgow and then Lewis continues on to Ireland for a few days.

Above is a picture from the reading in Skye. We were very pleased to meet Mabou Ridge student Tara Rankin, who is studying at Sabhal Mor Ostaig.

The tour, entitled (in English) "The way we say it in Nova Scotia" is sponsored in part by the Nova Scotia Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage, as well as the Centre for Cape Breton Studies at CBU.

New picture book features art by Marie Moore

Join us November 6 (4-6 p.m. at the Royal Cape Breton Yacht Club) as we launch our latest book: Cape Breton Wonders: Featuring Art by Marie Moore.

Did you ever wonder why...
your mother re-washed the wash?

Did you ever wonder why...
the lighthouse lights, or
why the miners risked their lives?

Educators Shirley Everett and Chris Augusta Scott have wondered why and the result is this charming little piece of Cape Breton for young and old alike. Marie Moore’s paintings, including two new ones, are the perfect way to illustrate, and to answer, the question:

"Did you ever wonder why?"

Gaelic poetry launched in Scotland

Falkirk - Following a launch at lomall a' Mhòid today in Falkirk, Lodaidh MacFhionghain, Lewis MacKinnon, embarks on visits and readings at Aberdeen, Stornoway, Sleat, Fort William, Glasgow and Edinburgh (see details below).

Famhair agus dàin Ghàidhlig eile (Giant and other Gaelic poems), is the first book of its kind in Nova Scotia: the first collection of contemporary poems by a single author in the local Gaelic. MacKinnon's poems address a variety of contemporary perspectives—language, culture, politics and matters of the heart.

The book is central to a number of titles being promoted by Cape Breton University Press in Scotland during the next few weeks. The promotion is called "The way we say it in Nova Scotia," a reference to language and music traditions once of Scots origins, but with Nova Scotia's unique flavour.

The tour is sponsored in part by the Nova Scotia Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage, through its industry development program, the Centre for Cape Breton Studies at Cape Breton University and by publisher Cape Breton University Press.


Aberdeen, Monday, Oct. 20, 6 p.m., New King's Hall, Room 10
Sponsored by the University of Aberdeen

Stornoway, Tuesday, Oct. 21, 7 p.m., An Lanntair, Kenneth St., Stornoway
and Wednesday, Oct. 22, Comunn Eachdraidh Nis - Ness Historical Society
Sponsored by Lews Castle College UHI

Sleat, Isle of Skye, Thursday, Oct. 23, 7 p.m., Seòmar Cruinneachaidh, Arainn Ostaig
Sponsored by Sabhal Mòr Ostaig UHI

Fort William, Saturday, Oct. 25, 11 a.m., Fort William Library
With the assistance of Highland Council

Edinburgh, Monday, Oct. 27, 8 p.m., Canon's Gait, 232 Canongate, Old Town
Sponsored by University of Edinburgh

Glasgow, Tuesday, Oct. 29, 5:30 p.m., 16 University Gardens, Room 5.
Sponsored by University of Glasgow

John Johnston to speak Oct. 9 in Wolfville

John Johnston will be giving a public lecture in Wolfville at Acadia University on Oct. 9th, at 7:00 PM, in the Beveridge Arts Centre, BAC Room 236.

TOPIC OF THE LECTURE: "Louisbourg: The Last Decade."

This will be an illustrated hour-long talk on the dramatic and far-reachingevents at Louisbourg during its final decade, focussing on the siege of1758. The emphasis will be on how the collision of two European empires inAtlantic Canada played out during the Seven Years War and what long-lasting impacts that struggle was to have.

CBUP announces launch of latest novel

Susan Young de Biagi will launch her debut novel in late September.

Check www.cbupress.ca for updates.

Sun. Sept. 28 ~ 3:30 p.m.
The Word on the Street

Mon. Sept. 29 to Thu. Oct. 2, be sure to be listening to CBC Cape Breton's Mainstreet, 4 to 6 p.m., for broadcast excerpts from Cibou.

Mon. Sept. 29 Chapters Halifax, 7-9 p.m.Tue. Sept. 30 Coles Hfx Shopping Centre, 7-9 p.m.
Thu. Oct. 2 4-6 p.m. official book launch
St. Patrick’s Church Museum, 87 Esplanade, Sydney
Fri. Oct. 3 Coles Sydney Shopping Centre, 3-5 p.m.
Coles Mayflower Mall, 7-9 p.m.

Check www.cbupress.ca for updates.

Recent review of Endgame 1758

Journal of the Royal Nova Scotia Historical Society, Volume 11 (2008), pp. 202-204. In a book review by Julian Gwyn, now retired but formerly a professor of history at the University of Ottawa:

P. 203: "The author, already well-established as a published expert on Louisbourgunder French rule, has produced the best account yet of the fortress's last decade 1749-58."
[...]
"Johnston's detailed study of events in Louisbourg from the time of its recovery by a French garrison in the summer of 1749 to the departure of French prisoners of war nine years later is to be greatly welcomed. This aspect of Louisbourg's history is unlikely to be improved until newdocuments are located."

Johnston making presentations

Award-winning Endgame 1758 author John Johnston will be making presentations on his book and, more broadly, on Louisbourg, as commemorations of the final seige of 1758 continue:

Sept. 16, 7:30 pm, Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, Halifax.
Sept. 27, 9:30 am, Louisbourg Symposium 2008, Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site,
Sept. 28, 12 noon, The Word on the Street, Cunard Event Center, Halifax.
Oct. 9, time tba (evening), AcadiaUniversity, Wolfville.

Book on Highland bagpipe released

Dance to the Piper: THe Highland Bagpipe in Nova Scotia, by Barry W. Shears is now in print.

Barry's much-awaited history of traditional piping in our part of the wide world of Scots bagpiping is on its way to stores.

For more information about the book, check out: http://www.cbupress.ca/

Public presentation on Louisbourg at McConnell

July 22-27 is a big week for Fortress Louisbourg National Historic site, including an encampment weekend (25-26).

On Thursday evening, John johnston will be giving a public talk at the McConnell Memirial Library (Falmouth Street, Sydney) at 7 p.m.

Come out and hear one of the world's leading authorities on Louisbourg. It's free!

Endgame on BT

Be sure to be watching CTV's Breakfast Television on Wednesday, June 18 (approx. 7:40 a.m.), when John Johnston will be interviewed about his book Endgame and the 250th anniversary of the final seige.

Louisbourg anniversary subject of article in "The Trident"

John Johnston's expertise on the subject of Louisbourg and this the 250th anniversary of the final siege of the Fortress are the subject of an article in the The Trident (Vol. 42, No. 10), the magazine of Canada's armed forces.
http://www.tridentnews.ca/default.asp?ID=3766

For more information on the 250th anniversary celebrations in Louisbourg, NS, goto: http://www.louisbourg2008.com/

Louisbourg book wins history award

Sydney, NS, June 4, 2008 – Historian A.J.B. (John) Johnston was awarded the Canadian Historical Association's Clio Award for regional history during its annual congress last week.
His latest book, Endgame 1758: The Promise, the Glory and the Despair of Louisbourg's Last Decade (Cape Breton University and University of Nebraska Press) is cited by the CHA as a meritorious publication.

Louisbourg figured prominently in the military, economic and strategic thinking of France and England and peaked during Louisbourg’s last decade, one of the greatest dramas in the history of the continent. The final siege on the French capital, in 1758, brought to a close a century-and-a-half of Anglo-French struggle for dominance.

The 250th anniversary of the final siege will be commemorated through many activities throughout the summer and fall, including community events, a symposium and an encampment weekend (July 25-27), involving more than one thousand history re-enactors from across Canada and the U.S.

Johnston, a long-time historian at Fortress Louisbourg National Historic Site and now working from the Atlantic region offices of Parks Canada in Halifax, is a recognized authority on Louisbourg, Cape Breton, Acadia and Nova Scotia and has published many books and articles on those subjects.

Founded in 1922, the Canadian Historical Association/Société Historique du Canada is a bilingual scholarly organization dedicated to research in all fields of history. As the leading scholarly organization of historians in Canada, the Canadian Historical Association assumes an advocacy role regarding issues of concern to its members and other practitioners interested in advancing the discipline of history in Canada.

Johnston to speak at Halifax Public Library today

John Johnston, author of Endgame 1758 will be giving a lunch-time talk at the Halifax Public Library (Spring Garden Road) May 30.

A Forest for Calum still charming audiences

Frank Macdonald will be giving a talk to Alexander MacLeod's Atlantic Literature course at Saint Mary's University on June 3.

On May 27, the regular book panel of CBC Radio One's Mainstreet (Halifax), met with guest host Stephanie Domet to discuss A Forest for Calum. The panel recalled the Globe and Mail review of 2005, which suggested that "if there is any justice ... A Forest for Calum would be a Canadian classic."

Panelists were 100 per cent in agreement that, on all aspects of the book, it deserved such a billing.

Fans might recall that critic Ron Foley MacDonald said A Forest for Calum had one of the most "jaw-droppingly beautiful" literary devices in English-language literature.

Cover story

An article and interview by John Johnston is the cover story of The Beaver: Canada's History Magazine (June/July 2008). http://www.historysociety.ca/bea.asp

Endgame 1758 subject of R-C interview

John Johnston, author of Endgame 1758 was interviewed live on Radio Canada, on May 22.

Teresa MacIsaac reads at Margaree library

The Drs. Coady-Tompkins Memorial Library in Margaree Forks hosted Antigonish author and educator, Teresa MacIsaac on Monday, May 12. Ms. MacIsaac read exerpts from her recently published book, "A Better Life: Highland Women in Nova Scotia" and used several anecdotes taken from oral and written accounts to entertain the audience. The Library will be celebrating its 30th anniversary on May 24.

Caption: Author Teresa MacIsaac, centre, is flanked by Rita O'Keefe(left)and Hilda McDaniel who were on hand for MacIsaac's presentation and woncopies of her books, thanks to Cape Breton University Press.

Endgame subject of forthcoming interview on R-C

Endgame 1758 author John Johnston is scheduled to be interviewed on Radio Canada on May 22.

Stewart Donovan at Atlantic Book Festival

Stewart Donovan joins other shortlisted authors for the Gala Bookfest Reading at Fred (2606 Agricola St., Halifax). David Adams Richards, Stephanie Domet, Steven Laffoley and Stewart Donovan - moderated by Sue Goyette. 7 p.m. COST: $5.00 at the door.

We welcome comments/reviews

Readers are invited to blog their comments or reviews of our books collectively or individually.

Book festival event May 8 in Sydney

Atlantic Book Festival came to McConnell Memorial Library, Falmouth St., Sydney, on May 8, when an appreciative crowd enjoyde readings by Marq de Villers (author of Witch in the Wind: The True Story of the Legendary Bluenose), Beatrice MacNeil (Where White Horses Gallop) and Susan Zettell (Checkout Girl, forthcoming) and a special tribute to Rita Joe (1932-2007).

Sponsored by The Writers Federation of Nova Scotia, Cape Breton Regional Library, Breton Books and CBU Press.

Thanks to McConnell library for the photos.

Three books shortlisted for four literary prizes

Wow! CBU Press is publisher of books shortlisted for four of thirty shortlisted titles for the Atlantic Book Awards May 12 in Dartmouth.

Dartmouth Book Award for Fiction:

North of Smokey by David Doucette

Dartmouth Book Award for Non-fiction:

Endgame 1758: The Promise, the Glory, and the Despair of Louisbourg's Last Decade

and The Forgotten World of R.J. MacSween: a life

Evelyn Richardson Prize for Non-fiction:

The Forgotten World of R.J. MacSween: a life

Congratulations to our authors - and good luck!