A Little History of Canada by H.V. Nelles (review)

In just 287 pages, H.V. Nelles attempts to tell the 14,000-year history of Canada. The journey is not perfect, and several gaps in the story emerge along the way, but by interpreting Canadian history through the lens of five distinct yet overlapping epochs, Nelles provides a convenient and illuminating frame for understanding the country's historical development, its current status, and its future potential. The specific epochs examined by him are: the Indigenous origins of the country; the imperial rivalry of France and Great Britain and its role in the creation of British North America; the internal and external pushes for ever-greater independence from foreign rule and influences; the awakening of Québécois nationalism and its constitutional consequences; and the advance of globalisation and multiculturalism and their effects on Canadian identity at home and abroad. Nelles uses the reoccurring analogy of the Indigenous transformation mask to help explain the transition between epochs, namely each new epoch emerges from the last one while serving as the foundation for the next one.

The book can be criticised for telling what is, at its core, a political history of Central Canada (or of the 'Laurentian Consensus' as critics might call it). To some extent, this criticism is valid and alludes to a potentially broader and alternative understanding of Canada that goes beyond its traditional tropes. In Nelles's defence, it can be countered that much of the country's early history – at least in terms of its development as a distinct political entity – issituated in Central Canada. Hence, its central place in the narrative. It can also be noted that Nelles is aware of the many shortcomings and biases that underpin the conventional understanding of Canada. This is particularly evident in Chapter 1, where he devotes considerable time and effort to detailing the early experiences and accomplishments of Indigenous peoples, including their unique contributions to what would eventually become Canada; and in Chapter 5, where he argues that the next unfolding of the transformation mask will be shaped by Canada's increasing global consciousness and multicultural character. A more pertinent criticism of the book concerns its lack of specific names and dates, which some critics might consider a basic requirement of any good history book. Nevertheless, Nelles has a response for this criticism too: he aims to provide an accessible and engaging account of the country's basic history, and an excess of details would simply get in the way of achieving this goal.

If you keep these two criticisms in mind while appreciating A Little History of Canadafor its attempt to balance academic purpose with everyday appeal, it becomes difficult to argue that Nelles has failed to achieve his objective. Whether you are new to the topic or simply in need a quick refresher, this book provides a foundation for a deeper understanding and appreciation of Canada.