A visually spectacular saga of the events, people and experiences that shaped the nation and the Canadian psyche. This innovative, superbly produced book is much more than the story of Canada. Besides addressing all the expected themes -- from the early days of exploration and settlement through the building of a nation to Canada''s contribution to the two world wars -- it reveals many lesser-known facets of Canadian history. From horrific disasters like the Halifax Explosion to popular trends like the bicycle craze, this stunningly designed book covers both the "official" aspects of history and the phenomena, such as immigration and the baby boom, that had an impact on almost everyone. People make history come alive. From fur traders to politicians, air aces to refugee slaves, Canada: An Illustrated History , tells their stories. The lively and informative text is complemented by a wonderful selection of images including more than 200 photographs, 50 paintings and drawings and 35 historic maps -- 440 illustrations in all.