An old man sits by the dying embers of a fire in London of 1669. The ghosts of the past surround him and a decades old guilt weighs him down. As a young man, Robert Bylot did it all: journeyed to the magical Spice Islands on a quest for the alchemist John Dee, communicated with angels through Crystallomancy, and searched for the fabled Northwest Passage with Henry Hudson. He has survived plague, mutiny and fire, and found happiness with an extraordinary woman, but nothing has assuage the ancient guilt that tortures him-unless the old, stained book on his lap contains the answer. The book might be his salvation, or his damnation. Through Bylot's memories and the words written in the book he holds, The Final Alchemy recreates a world at the tipping point between the mysticism of the Middle Ages and the rationality of the Renaissance. The possibilities for glory and profit appear limitless, but the risks are horrifying. At the centre of this world stand two men: Dr. John Dee, alchemist, magus, mathematician, advisor to kings and queens, and believer that England is destined to recreate an empire descended from ancient Troy; and Thomas Smythe, founder of the East India Company, and believer that future empires must be based solely on commerce. Both base their murky plans on fragments of an ancient map, a portolan, that seems to show the unknown parts of the globe in stunning and impossible detail. The conflicting machinations of these two men and the promise of the portolan ensnare Hudson and Bylot in a complex web of intrigue, ambition and betrayal that offers fame or destruction.
"…a highly readable and interesting book…Through personal stories and anecdotes, all giving vivid pictures of social history, the writer guides us through historical events that changed the world. Some of it is sad, but much of it is amusing, all full of colour…I would highly recommend it." Anna GraysonOnce upon a time, a shy kid from Skye almost drowned in nostalgia as he sat in the corner of a high-ceilinged room listening to fabulous tales of earthquakes, rebellion and crocodile hunting in a magical lost world. He grew up and survived his troubled teenage years in gang-ridden Paisley, field work in war-torn Rhodesia, near-death helicopter experiences in northern Canada and several encounters with bears. A mid-life crisis encouraged him to realize the importance of that childhood nostalgia and, using a life-long passion for history and his real-life adventures, he became a successful storyteller and author of more than fifty historical novels and non-fiction books for kids, teens and adults. He is still searching for that lost world, but this is the tale so far. "…a consummate storyteller…in John Wilson's hands the pitfalls of playing with truth are avoided and the dilemmas and paradoxes are fairly portrayed."-Ormsby Review
New edition with the original maps, illustrations and sidebars that were omitted in the eBook."…a fascinating read for anyone interested in the planet on which we live and how it came to be as it is." Geoscience CanadaThis book is more than the story of how a continent formed over 4 billion years. Told in readable, entertaining prose and filled with personal and geological anecdotes, Ghost Mountains and Vanished Oceans tells the story of our world, and in doing so, it tells our story. As the author says: "An understanding of the geology of the Earth is essential to truly understanding our place on it. To put it the other way round, we cannot understand life and our place in it without understanding the ball of rock on which, and out of which, it evolved. We are not just passengers on a dead piece of cosmic debris whirling through space; we are an integral part of an exceptional, dynamic system that produced both ourselves and our Earth. In a very real sense, geology made us.""…this book is a true, well-crafted page-turner…If you've ever wondered how the continents and the particular slab of rock you live on came about, you will love this book. Even if you don't, you'll still love it. Highly recommended." Amazon Reviewer
"…impressive…fast-paced…The high calibre of writing, together with the thoroughly researched historical detail, make The Alchemist's Dream a compelling read." Quill & QuireIn the fall of 1669, the Nonsuch returns to London with a load of fur from Hudson Bay. It brings something else, too-the lost journal from Henry Hudson's tragic search for a passage to Cathay in 1611. In the hands of a greedy sailor, the journal is merely an object to sell. But for Robert Bylot-a once-great maritime explorer-the book is a painful reminder of a past he'd rather forget. As Bylot relives his memories of a plague-ridden city, of the mysterious alchemist John Dee, and of mutiny in the frozen wastes of Hudson Bay, an age-old mystery is both revealed and solved. A finalist for the 2007 Governor General's Literary Award, the jury said, "In this engrossing historical adventure, John Wilson paints a vivid picture of a bygone era involving Henry Hudson's fateful search for the elusive Northwest Passage, an alchemist, mysterious passengers, and enigmatic maps. The Alchemist's Dream fascinates from start to finish. Set against the thrilling backdrop of the quest for the Northwest Passage, The Alchemist's Dream is a riveting tale of exploration, ambition, and betrayal."
"…an astonishingly nuanced and masterfully told story…"-Quill & QuireThe Heretic's Secret Trilogy is a rollicking historical adventure set during the bloody 13th century wars against the Cathar Heretics of Languedoc. When the armoured knights of Pope Innocent III swept south in 1209, most thought they would be gone by summer's end but, led by the fanatical Arnaud Aumery and the ambitious Simon de Montfort, they stayed for three fiery decades. In that time they slaughtered thousands of Cathars, burned countless towns and castles, destroyed a thriving country that rivaled France in power and culture, and created the foundations for the shape of western Europe we recognize. Simon de Montfort's land grab has angered King Pedro of Aragon and he is marching north with a vast army intent on destroying the crusade. The armies meet on a hillside outside Muret and the result will determine the history of Languedoc. The battle also draws in Adso, Peter and John. Adso must fulfill his oath to kill Oddo, Peter must discover the path that God has chosen for him and John discovers a valuable, but extremely dangerous, piece of information that could finally stop Aumery. In the end, the Crusade and Adso, Peter and John's involvement in it will change the future, but in ways that none of them imagined in their wildest dreams."…a brave book, an unsettling book, and one that is very much needed at this time."-The Globe and Mail
"…a richly re-imagined fable which goes far beyond anything the historical record alone might suggest." Russell A. Potter, Arctic Book ReviewPerhaps, on a barren Arctic shore in the summer of 1849, knowing he was dying, a British Naval officer wrapped his journal in sailcloth and buried it beneath a lonely pile of frost-shattered stones. He was the last of the 129 doomed men of Sir John Franklin's lost Arctic expedition. His name was James Fitzjames and for four years he had carefully recorded the expedition's achievements, hopes and, as things began to go horribly wrong, the descent into madness and eventual death of his closest friends. This is his journal."A suspenseful and enjoyable read." Booklist"Wilson has managed to make his invented journal seem authentic and his account of the ill-fated adventurers seem plausible…one reads on, fascinated, to the bitter end." The Globe and Mail
butterfly on a leafsips dew abovemy father's grave Over three decades as an author, John Wilson has often come up with ideas, thoughts and ephemera that either wouldn't fit into a novel or demanded to be expressed as a poem. Some saw the light of day in small literary magazines, some won awards and some simply waited patiently in a drawer. A few even thought that they would like to be accompanied by a sketch. They deal with history, both personal and general, and express everything from powerful emotions to nonsense. Here they are, collected in one place.
"…a brave book, an unsettling book, and one that is very much needed at this time."-The Globe and Mail The Heretic's Secret Trilogy is a rollicking historical adventure set during the bloody 13th century wars against the Cathar Heretics of Languedoc. When the armoured knights of Pope Innocent III swept south in 1209, most thought they would be gone by summer's end but, led by the fanatical Arnaud Aumery and the ambitious Simon de Montfort, they stayed for three fiery decades. In that time they slaughtered thousands of Cathars, burned countless towns and castles, destroyed a thriving country that rivaled France in power and culture, and created the foundations for the shape of western Europe we recognize. Quest follows the stories of Adso, the soldier who helped John escape from Beziers, John and Peter, as they struggle to come to terms with the increasingly bloody war that is engulfing their homeland. Adso determines to fight a guerilla war against the invaders, and in particular, the mercenary Oddo and his Falcons. John and Isabella flee to Al-Andalus to seek peace and the lost knowledge preserved in libraries of the Moors. Increasingly troubled by mysterious voices, and teetering on the edge of insanity, Peter embarks on a quest to find the relic that will announce Christ's coming and the End of Days. Nothing turns out as the characters expect, but each finds a piece of a puzzle that might hold the key to the future. "…an astonishingly nuanced and masterfully told story…"-Quill & Quire
"…astonishingly nuanced and masterfully told…"-Quill & QuireIn the style of Bernard Cornwell, The Heretic's Secret Trilogy is a rollicking historical adventure set during the bloody 13th century wars against the Cathar Heretics of Languedoc. When the armoured knights of Pope Innocent III swept south in 1209, most thought they would be gone by summer's end but, led by the fanatical Arnaud Aumery and the ambitious Simon de Montfort, they stayed for three fiery decades. In that time they slaughtered thousands of Cathars, burned countless towns and castles, destroyed a thriving country that rivaled France in power and culture, and created the foundations for the shape of western Europe we recognize today.John and Peter enjoy arguing about their differing views of the world. Peter sees the Church and an unquestioning acceptance of God's word as the way to salvation. John sees developing an understanding of the wonder of the world around him as a way of becoming closer to God. As the chaos of war erupts around them, the friendly differences of childhood demand that they take sides.Troubled by mysterious visions, Peter seeks refuge in the Church and becomes an assistant to the militant Aumery. Repelled by the horror he sees around him, John finds himself drawing closer to the persecuted Cathar heretics. As the brutal holy war expands and the flames of the Inquisition spread, Peter and John find themselves on opposite sides of a dangerous search for a secret that may have the power to change the world."…in Wilson's hands, the subject entertains as it horrifies. Wilson never lectures readers, but allows his characters to participate in history…he neither glorifies war nor softens the raw violence of the Inquisition…it is a brave book, an unsettling book, and one that is very much needed at this time." Mark D. Dunn, The Globe and Mail
"Dark Terror is part adventure and part history, with just a touch of romance. It's a fast-moving, gripping take on a little-explored side of the [First World] war effort." CBRIn June 1915, young Alex Shorecross is trapped by a cave-in at a copper mine in Newfoundland. Facing possible death for a mere 13 cents an hour, Alec swears that if he survives he will find a different direction in his life. Unfortunately, options are limited and he is swept up in the naive enthusiasm for the possibilities of adventure in the First World War. In an ironic twist, his mining background lands him in a tunnelling company, working deep below the fighting in France. As his comrades push tunnels out beneath the enemy trenches and pack underground rooms full of explosives, it is Alec's job to listen for enemy activity that might bury them all forever under the Flanders' battlefields."Wilson ably evokes the claustrophobic, dark terror of the underground wand the coming of age of young men amid the battles…A fascinating war tale that will have…readers digging in for a captivating read." Kirkus Review
"High adventure, terrifying danger, close friendship, family troubles faced and resolved, and a dash of the mystical or supernatural: this novel for teens has it all." Canada Book Review Annual.Fed by his grandfather's stories, Dave Young dreams of one day visiting the Canadian Arctic. It's a childish fascination, until the dreams become so vivid that Dave has difficulty telling them from reality. By day he is a small-town boy living in Humboldt, Saskatchewan, struggling with arguing parents and difficulties at school, but by night he is David Young, a cabin boy on HMS Erebus, one of Sir John Franklin's doomed exploration ships. When his dreams intensify, the line between Dave in Humboldt and David on the Erebus gradually disappears. As sailors fall sick, threaten mutiny and become lost in the wilderness, Dave/David and his only friend George must summon all their courage to survive the threats of starvation and exposure in a race against time and the elements. With both boys lost in a blizzard the truest test of their friendship is at hand. Will they be able to find each other in time-and will Dave be able to find his way back to his own time?"…the facts of the Franklin voyage are made visceral and real for a new generation of armchair historians/explorers."-Susan Perrin-Globe and Mail"As both lives reel toward the dream's conclusion, the desperation is palpable. The denouement, in both worlds, is an eternity of tension-filled terror that is over in a heartbeat. John Wilson's use of dream travel to explore and examine creatively the Franklin Expedition keeps the reader turning the pages right to the last." Prairie Fire"Time travel with a twist-a fascinating glimpse into the ill-fated Franklin Expedition." Julie Lawson"…meticulously researched, cleverly-crafted and imaginatively too, absorbing for history lovers of all ages." Marion Woodson-04-2Honour Book, 1998 Sheila A. Egoff Award for Children's Literature and Finalist for the Geoffrey Bilson Award for Historical Fiction for Young People.
"…the best life of Franklin yet produced…(a) wonderfully engaging book." Arctic Book ReviewSir John Franklin was many things in his life: an officer in the great naval battles of Copenhagen and Trafalgar; governor of Van Diemen's land; an explorer from Australia to the Arctic, but it is for his mysterious death and the deaths of his 128 crew that he is remembered today. The mystery of the disappearance of the Franklin Expedition to the Northwest Passage has captivated thousands in the 174 years since his men buried Franklin in an unknown grave in the frozen land that kept calling him back. For most of that time only a handful of graves, scattered bones, fragments of debris and Inuit stories have fuelled the speculation as to what killed them all. Now, the wrecks of both of Franklin's ships have been found, preserved in the frigid waters off King William Island, and may contain answers that have been sought for generations. This is the story of the man whose name will forever be associated with the greatest tragedy in Arctic exploration history.An "…excellent overview, the reader is left with an appreciation of the enormous task early exploration of the Arctic represented…a first rate story. Highly Recommended." CM Magazine
"This riveting, haunting tale will leave readers clamoring for more." Best BooksIt's A.D. 79 on the slopes of Vesuvius. With no warning the mountain has erupted into violent, terrifying life. Those who can, flee, but one old man, Lucius Quintus Claudianus, sits in an abandoned villa in Herculaneum, struggling to finish a story only he can tell. Seventy years before, Lucius was the sole survivor of three Roman legions, ambushed and slaughtered in the wilds of Germania.Lucius's tale is of dark forests, evil swamps and horrific pagan sacrifices, but it is also the story of his friendship with Freya, a Cherusci warrior. As soldiers caught up in treachery and war, they must choose between their culture and their friendship. And it's a choice they have to get right because the consequences of being wrong could mean death."…a complicated storyline which contains rich historical detail reminiscent of the great Rosemary Sutcliffe, as well as universals about war and cultural identity." The Star Phoenix"…this richly detailed and well-narrated Roman-era historical novel…is a hugely rewarding novel that has much more than its exciting and bloody battle scenes to appeal to…readers. Highly Recommended." Canadian Materials.The Caught in Conflict Collection is an imprint of fast-paced, historically accurate, morally-complex quick reads for Adults and Teens. In each of the titles the main character(s) (a Roman Legionary; a civilian in the Indian Mutiny; volunteers on both sides of the American Civil War; a Scottish soldier in WWI; a holidaymaker in Spain when the civil war breaks out there; and German and Russian soldiers in WWII), become enmeshed in conflicts immensely more complex than they anticipated and are faced with moral dilemmas that they never even imagined. The historical background to each of the dramas is extensively researched and the moral dilemmas are common to all human conflict.
"…fast-paced and gripping" CCBC MagazineIt is 1913 and Edward Simpson is enthralled by his German uncle, Horst, who designs and builds simple-and extremely dangerous-planes in his barn. Fascinated by flight and dreaming of a life in the air, Edward helps his uncle whenever he can. In return, Horst teaches his nephew the rudiments of flight and, one magical day, lets him take his latest barn-built creation up for a spin. Edward is hooked, he will be a pilot and escape the dull, boring world suffered by those whose feet are stuck to the ground. But it is 1914 and events in far-off Europe are dragging the world into a catastrophe that even a farm boy in Saskatchewan cannot avoid.Edward sails for England where he joins the Royal Flying Corps and is sent over to join the battles in the skies over France. He is soon fighting for his life in aircraft even more uncertain than the ones Horst built, against an enemy who is better trained and who fly better armed and more maneuverable planes than he does. As he struggles to survive and watches his friends shot down one by one, he finds his beliefs tested in ways he could never have imagined. Exhausted and bitter, he fights to simply stay alive as the horrors of the Battle of the Somme unfold beneath him."Wilson writes eloquently about one boy's love of flight and his dream of flying…[and] Edward's narrative is thoroughly engaging. A fine, old-fashioned-feeling… tale set in the World War I skies." Kirkus Reviews"Eddie's emotional and psychological development moves us…What makes Wings of War especially engaging, though, is Wilson's artful weaving of Eddie's story with the technical details of early flight: airplane construction and handling, and the specialized techniques required for successful aeronautic battle." Resource Links
"…a strong, engaging read." CM Magazine"A Dangerous Game is a pleasure to read. It's a fast-paced, exciting story with lots of accurate historical information…a great read [and] a refreshing change from zombies, nasty girls and dystopian survivor novels…it showcases ordinary people at their best, bravely working together in terrible times." Historical Novel Society An enthralling story of a young woman risking her life to free her country. Manon Wouters has an idyllic life in Belgian town of Damme, where she spends her afternoons cycling into beautiful Bruges to study nursing. But as Europe, and the world, erupt into a devastating war, teenaged Manon soon finds herself faced with unbelievable choices: should she run, hide or fight and, if the last, how? After months nursing British soldiers in the UK and Egypt (where she meets Alec Shorecross, the young tunneller from Dark Terror), Manon is enlisted as a spy and returns to Belgium. As she toils away at the local hospital in Bruges, nursing injured enemy soldiers, no one guesses that she is collecting information and passing it on to the Allies. As 1917 progresses, zeppelins and huge Gotha bombers are devastating British cities and hordes of U-boats are sinking ships carrying vital supplies. Manon's tasks become more complicated and dangerous-can she help destroy a new German super bomber and discover vital intelligence on where the deadly submarines are being sheltered. As she races to fulfill her missions, Manon must confront enemies at every turn, sometimes even within her own family. "…a strong, engaging read." CM Magazine
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