The distinguished historian Daniel Francis discusses his new book Becoming Vancouver: A History (Harbour Publishing, 2021), with Joseph Planta.

Becoming Vancouver: A History by Daniel Francis (Harbour Publishing, 2021). Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Becoming Vancouver

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at TheCommentary.ca. Daniel Francis joins me again. The distinguished historian has just published a new book, Becoming Vancouver: A History. It traces Vancouver’s story from early habitation by the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations, all the way through today’s contemporary geography, economy, and politics. It’s a brisk look at Vancouver, but it’s often thoughtful, persuasive, and insightful. A number of the characters Dan writes about are colourful and fascinating. He looks at the idea of Vancouver, and the tensions between those that might want Vancouver to stay as it is, while others who see its growth and densification as inevitable. He looks at real estate, then and now, and how then as now, it’s been the driving force of Vancouver’s narrative. Mr. Francis looks at race, whether it’s discrimination and violence towards the Chinese, or Japanese, or Indian. There’s the tensions between labour and capital, as well as outbreaks of smallpox and influenza one hundred years apart that are of particular interest as we live through the COVID pandemic. We’ll also talk about morality in Vancouver through the early part of the twentieth century. Daniel Francis has written over thirty books, primarily on Canadian and British Columbia history. He received an Award of Merit from the Vancouver Historical Society, as well as the prestigious Pierre Berton Award, also known as the Governor General’s History Award for Popular Media. Visit www.danielfrancis.ca for more, as well as his blog. This new book is from Harbour Publishing. This is his fourth appearance on the show. Please welcome back to the Planta: On the Line program, Daniel Francis; Mr. Francis, good morning.

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