“Drawing on the rich documentary record and his decades-long career in filmmaking, Lower tells the tragic story of the beginnings of the Red River Settlement (Winnipeg) and how bitter fur trade rivalries, short-sighted leadership, and mistrust and misunderstanding left an ‘unsettled’ legacy that continues to inform Indigenous/non-Indigenous relations to this day.” — Bill Waiser, winner of the Governor General’s Literary Award for Non-Fiction
“Witty, thorough, and thoughtful, this informal history explains the political machinations and misinformation that led to Seven Oaks.” — Library Journal
“Bob Lower has given us an unvarnished account of three years of real-life experienced by hapless, flawed, ordinary and extraordinary Scottish settlers. His prose is lively, his story moves quickly and his use of first-hand accounts makes for compelling and utterly believable drama. The tale ends with tragic deaths at Seven Oaks, the dramatic details of which are recorded here with clarity and wisdom. I enjoyed this book very much, and I recommend it wholeheartedly.” — Gerald Friesen, professor of history (retired), St. John’s College, University of Manitoba
“Lower immerses you in his powerful descriptions of life during those years. His vivid imagery is enough to place you within the shoes of the settlers and it invites us to truly grasp the struggle against the elements that these survivors face. The author breathes life into these historical events rather than simply reciting them through factual accounts.” — White Wall Review
“It is history as it should be written, with minimal footnoting, clear language, impeccable research, and an uncanny talent for putting readers at the scene.” — The British Columbia Review
“It’s a lively, entertaining account, and it conveys very well the atmosphere of constant stress under which everyone lived from 1812 to 1816…He tells his story well, and his readers will find much to think about, not just about the history but about human nature.” — Prairie History Magazine