The historian and author Francis Mansbridge discusses his new book Dreamers and Designers: The Shaping of West Vancouver (Harbour Publishing, 2018), with Joseph Planta.

Dreamers and Designers: The Shaping of West Vancouver by Francis Mansbridge (Harbour Publishing, 2018). Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Dreamers and Designers

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca.

A new book takes us to West Vancouver with a wonderful sketch of its history, geography and people. The book Dreamers and Designers: The Shaping of West Vancouver is written by the noted historian Francis Mansbridge. He charts the history of this bucolic part of the North Shore of Burrard Inlet, shaped by its unique geography, the mountains and creeks and ravines, by telling us about the people who came here from all over the world. He looks at the relationship with the Squamish people of Capilano Reserve No. 5, as well as where West Vancouver is headed. It is not immune to the challenges of density and diversity, and Mr. Mansbridge examines both as well in the book. The photographs in the book are by John Moir, and there’s marvelous archival photographs as well. Francis Mansbridge has long been associated with the North Vancouver Museum and Archives. He is a contributor to both newspapers and literary journals, and the author of God’s Recording Angel, a biography of Irving Layton, as well as Wild Gooseberries: The Selected Letters of Irving Layton. This new book is a production of the West Vancouver Historical Society, and is published by Harbour. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, Francis Mansbridge; Mr. Mansbridge, good morning.

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