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Once Upon a Mine
Wendy Martin
Price: CDN$19.95
ISBN: 0-919086-03-9
Published in 1998 by Anlo Inc.
98 Pages, 8.5 x 11 inches
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Book Description
This is book about people, about dreamers and rogues, about
shysters and heroes, about travellers and settlers, about governed and
governors, about adults and children, about dogs and mosquitoes and
black flies, and about their links through mining, the second-oldest
profession. It documents triumphs and failures of people, and the
glory and gloom of places, it crystallizes names such as Betts Cove,
La Manche, Terra Nova and Sleepy Cove, and it recreates the towns
that are no more. It is about the time and history, showing the intimate
relations between Newfoundland mining and world events, from the
Treaty of Versailles to the Second World War.
''Once Upon a Mine'' has lessons of import. For Newfoundland, it
shows the incredible variety of mining ventures (''Sure the country is
pregnant all over, with metal they call the Proprieties''), and factors,
political, entrepreneurial and practical, which led to their success or
failure. Their repetition clearly illustrates the maxim that those who
neglect history are doomed to repeat it, a risk which this book greatly
lessens. You, the general reader, will see that ''mines are where you
find them'', and can be mined only there, unlike any other natural
resources. You will see that mineral deposits are finite and become
depleted, so that mine and mining towns have a finite life. You will see
that mines have to be made, as well as found, requiring determination
and skill.
This book is a mine of information, but it is no dry history book, nor a
guide for geologists and miners. It is more like the sagas. It's a
distillation of romance and adventure, blood, sweat and tears, disaster
and ship-wreck. Wendy shares with you her love of Newfoundland,
its people and its places and its rocks, in a style that's crisp and clear
and colourful. Dig in. You are guaranteed rich veins of insight, humour
and information.
Dr. David Strong,
Memorial University of Newfoundland
About the Author
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All Prices are in Canadian Dollars
