City on Edge: A Rebellious Century of Vancouver Protests, Riots, and Strikes

This gorgeously illustrated history of Vancouver’s signature moments of social unrest is a provocative reminder of the city’s unique dynamism. The photos, most in black and white, capture eras from 1900 to the present and will feel familiar to fans of Life and other periodicals from the golden age of magazine publishing. Some images, such as those of anti-war vigils, could have been shot anywhere on the globe, and many seem out of sync with Canada’s peaceful, tolerant reputation, including images of a gathering of the Ku Klux Klan, tear-gassed picketers, and ugly Halloween hooliganism. Even though most of the photos speak for themselves, short descriptions add important historical context, drawing a direct line from free speech protests in 1912 to the Occupy movement of 2011. Large group photos reflect the drama of mass resistance, but the smaller-scale photos often prove the most compelling, capturing authentic emotions of particular moments: a sole Indigenous woman decrying cultural genocide, elderly residents protesting their building’s demolition, children demanding lower chocolate prices, WWII-era Doukhobors kneeling in prayer while demanding the release of jailed loved ones. Even for those unfamiliar with Vancouver, this accessible collection invites thoughtful reflection on a turbulent civic history. (Oct.)