Extraordinary Canadians: Louis Riel & Gabriel Dumont by Giller Prize-winning novelist Joseph Boyden (
Wikipedia) is his historical biographical examination of the titular two prominent leaders of the Red River Rebellion (
Wikipedia) and subsequent occurrences, among the Métis people of what is now Manitoba, in the generally highly regarded multi-author Extraordinary Canadians series about Exactly What It Says In The Series Title, free courtesy of publisher Penguin Canada.
Currently free @
Amazon UK &
Kobo (available to the UK and possibly elsewhere; this seems to be free in many places worldwide when I spot-check regional Amazon stores, excepting ironically, actual Canada (and also not the US)). Price-drop-check linkage for
iTunes UK &
Google Play, where this might already be free in assorted countries.
And this has been the (late!) selected 3rd (non-repeat) free ebook thread of the day.
Because awesome-looking quasi-academic historical Canadiana from a prize-winning author is always cause to
, even if it's not officially available to actual Canadians. Nevertheless,
Enjoy!
Description
Louis Riel is regarded by some as a hero and visionary, by others as a madman and misguided religious zealot. The Métis leader who fought for the rights of his people against an encroaching tide of white settlers helped establish the province of Manitoba before escaping to the United States. Gabriel Dumont was a successful hunter and Métis chief, a man tested by warfare, a pragmatist who differed from the devout Riel.
Giller Prize—winning novelist Joseph Boyden argues that Dumont, part of a delegation that had sought out Riel in exile, may not have foreseen the impact on the Métis cause of bringing Riel home. While making rational demands of Sir John A. Macdonald's government, Riel seemed increasingly overtaken by a messianic mission. His execution in 1885 by the Canadian government still reverberates today.
Boyden provides fresh, controversial insight into these two seminal Canadian figures and how they shaped the country.