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Book Week: Vancouver Was Awesome

Comments 43 by Rebecca Bollwitt

Vancouver-Was-AwesomeBook Week continues as I offer up another pictorial history of Vancouver, courtesy of Lani Russwurm and my friendly competition over at Vancover Is Awesome (“V.I.A.”). Lani runs the local history blog Past Tense Vancouver and contributes the Vancouver Was Awesome posts to V.I.A. — check out his 10 Intoxicating Events in Vancouver History on The Tyee too.

Vancouver Was Awesome: A Curious Pictorial History contains an introduction by V.I.A.’s Editor-in-Chief Bob Kronbauer along with 150 black & white and colour photographs.

Vancouver may be a youngster among major cities, but it has a rich and beguiling history.

Russwurm collects stories of the people, places, events, and phenomena that collectively have infused Vancouver with a distinct flavor and flair and which laid the foundation for the eclectic city we know today. Although not without its share of social issues and contradictions, this cosmopolitan port city has long been a magnet for creative and determined types in search of opportunity and willing to rise to the challenges posed by the Terminal City. And at this moment in Vancouver’s history, as it grapples with the divisive issues of rapid gentrification and overpriced real estate, Vancouver Was Awesome offers readers an opportunity to relive the city’s past and to remember what was, and what might have been.

From vaudeville to beatniks, Rudyard Kipling to Charlie Chaplin, violent squirrels to train-hopping dogs, Lani Russwurm’s book is an entertaining, informative, and at times jaw-dropping tour of one city’s awesome past. [Arsenal Pulp Press]

Book Week Giveaway

Here’s how to enter to win today’s featured Book Week title — Vancouver Was Awesome:

  • Leave a comment on this post (1 entry)
  • Post the following on Twitter (1 entry)
RT to enter to win a copy of #VancouverWasAwesome from @VIAwesome + @Miss604 http://ow.ly/sqRDc

I will draw one winner at random from all entries on Thursday, January 16, 2013 at 12:00pm. Follow Lani Russwurm’s Past Tense Vancouver and Vancouver Is Awesome on Twitter for more fascinating stories.

Update The winner is Hannah!

Current Contests on Miss604
*All contests are open to residents of Canada only, unless otherwise stated. Contest timelines are published on each individual post along with entry methods. Some contests may only be open to those 19 years of age and older. Winners are announced on the contest blog posts. Contest policy »

43 Comments  —  Comments Are Closed

  1. SabrinaThursday, January 9th, 2014 — 1:45pm PST

    Ooo, ooo, ooo – still yes please! Two historical books in one week – wow! I love this stuff! 🙂

  2. DilaraThursday, January 9th, 2014 — 2:13pm PST

    Would love this!!

  3. KristaThursday, January 9th, 2014 — 2:27pm PST

    I said it yesterday, but I’ll say it again: I LOVE Vancouver history! This book looks awesome. 🙂 Thanks for the giveaway!

  4. janThursday, January 9th, 2014 — 2:36pm PST

    this looks neat

  5. AiThursday, January 9th, 2014 — 3:08pm PST

    A great Vancouver history book for my kid!

  6. SWThursday, January 9th, 2014 — 3:36pm PST

    Cool book!

  7. zaeliaThursday, January 9th, 2014 — 3:51pm PST

    Would love to add this book to my seriously lacking on local history book collection 🙂 Thanks!

  8. Stuart DesBrisayThursday, January 9th, 2014 — 4:00pm PST

    Reading about Vancouver history is my favourite pastime, we live in a wonderful town!

  9. LilyThursday, January 9th, 2014 — 5:02pm PST

    Awesome to have “Vancouver was Awesome”

  10. MeganThursday, January 9th, 2014 — 6:08pm PST

    Would love the book!

  11. Pat BattlesThursday, January 9th, 2014 — 6:19pm PST

    I’d love to learn more about Vancouver’s history! Heck, I probably lived through some of it!

  12. GordThursday, January 9th, 2014 — 6:52pm PST

    I’d love to win this book! 🙂

  13. RachelThursday, January 9th, 2014 — 8:51pm PST

    Would love to get this book!

  14. JeffThursday, January 9th, 2014 — 9:19pm PST

    Great book!

  15. KathleenThursday, January 9th, 2014 — 11:16pm PST

    would love this book

  16. BryanThursday, January 9th, 2014 — 11:53pm PST

    Interesting book!

  17. StephanieFriday, January 10th, 2014 — 7:29am PST

    Looks like a fun book.

  18. ValerieFriday, January 10th, 2014 — 8:09am PST

    I absolutely love Vancouver history…Born and raised

  19. KamFriday, January 10th, 2014 — 9:50am PST

    Nice!!!

  20. HannahFriday, January 10th, 2014 — 1:47pm PST

    Love old Vancouver photos

  21. mike kFriday, January 10th, 2014 — 6:30pm PST

    great collection of pictures

  22. RebeccaSaturday, January 11th, 2014 — 12:00am PST

    a very cool book

  23. DebSaturday, January 11th, 2014 — 9:49am PST

    I love it, both my Husband and I are Vancouver born and raised, just a couple of Marpole kids 🙂

  24. Alisa SakamotoSaturday, January 11th, 2014 — 12:59pm PST

    So proud to live in this great city… Vancouver is the BEST place on earth!

  25. DebbieSaturday, January 11th, 2014 — 3:47pm PST

    Awesome book!

  26. LisaSaturday, January 11th, 2014 — 7:44pm PST

    I love the history posts on VIA, so I am sure the book will be fabulous!!

  27. A.T.Saturday, January 11th, 2014 — 10:51pm PST

    This city has changed SO much in my (not so) short lifetime! Would love to see pictures of the nostalgic past:)

  28. JeffSunday, January 12th, 2014 — 9:00am PST

    Yes please.

  29. staceySunday, January 12th, 2014 — 7:12pm PST

    very cool book !

  30. MarySunday, January 12th, 2014 — 10:32pm PST

    I’d love to read this!

  31. MartaMonday, January 13th, 2014 — 1:06am PST

    Love history, it would be great to own this book

  32. AmandaMonday, January 13th, 2014 — 8:38am PST

    Can’t wait to get my hands on one of these!

  33. ShelleyMonday, January 13th, 2014 — 3:52pm PST

    This book looks very interesting to read.

  34. Shannon MolnarMonday, January 13th, 2014 — 4:32pm PST

    Book Week is such a great concept! It would be great to win this book.

  35. KaMonday, January 13th, 2014 — 6:54pm PST

    I love history books with pictures. Love it. Thanks!

  36. LenaMonday, January 13th, 2014 — 8:09pm PST

    Would love to show this book to my folks. Probably a lot of pics from the time they immigrated here!
    A great book to have.

  37. ClareMonday, January 13th, 2014 — 8:50pm PST

    Would be a great book for anyone’s personal collection!

  38. Frank_ZTuesday, January 14th, 2014 — 4:29pm PST

    great, love historic pictures

  39. EileenTuesday, January 14th, 2014 — 7:14pm PST

    This would make a great gift!

  40. Missy MisoTuesday, January 14th, 2014 — 10:33pm PST

    Here is to remembering the history of the boutique city I was born and raised in. Home to David Suzuki, Ad Busters, Harley Davidson gang and Canada’s Gay central (until Montreal upsurge us with their Blue Ball). Keeping in mind our neighbour sister city Victoria, might have parliament and the largest senior community in Canada, not to mention the KKK capital. Which makes you wonder, “How is it the last two riots, in the last 100 years or so, was about Hockey?”

    We can only reply the true Canadian way. Bend over backwards and apologizing with a downward dog and changing the conversation to Lulu land. Then pointing out with a degree of pride we have been voted the best city in the world to live in for years. Which unfortunately targeted us with the worlds rich trash elite, who have come here to Not stay. Or is it only to stay-cation with us? Who is to say.

    Ahhh to all the wonders of growing up on sunshine and rain – running around outside to play with Mary Jane.
    I need this book to mend my broken heart as I live my vag-a-bond ways. Coming and going, back and forth from city to city and back home again. Because after all, “You need to be rich, just to be poor here.” I’ll love you forever, Vancouver. You will always be home.

  41. LauraWednesday, January 15th, 2014 — 7:19am PST

    My BF is a huge Vancouver history fan, would love this for him (and myself).

  42. SteveWednesday, January 15th, 2014 — 7:20am PST

    Great choice for book week!

  43. Teresa KSaturday, January 18th, 2014 — 11:13am PST

    I’d love to win.

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