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CM . . . .
Volume V Number 9 . . . . January 1, 1999
This is the fourteen volume in the Dictionary of Canadian Biography
series, each of which, from the nineteen century on, covers a period of
approximately one decade. The entries are of significant figures in Canadian
history (who may or may not actually be Canadian) who died during the period
covered by the particular volume. The entries, themselves, vary in length from
approximately 750-1500 words, and are accompanied by bibliographical
information (though not necessarily the sort of references that would be
attainable outside a research library).
Biography can undoubtedly be an intrinsically interesting vehicle for
historical understanding. As the Dictionary, itself, claims:
"Biographical accounts, perhaps more than legends or fables, reverberate in our
consciousness because they turn the spotlight on individuals who are similar to
ourselves, and yet different....All Canadians, to whatever ethnic or social
group they belong and whatever their place of origin or religious beliefs, may
glean from these pages the historical sustenance so necessary for creating
their identity" (pp. vii-viii). But it is rather unlikely that anyone below the
university level would feel impelled to wander through encyclopedic entries of
this sort for purposes of intellectual recreation.
For the high school level, the approach taken to inclusion of entries (i.e., by
time of death) has some obvious problems associated with it. The volume is
indexed according to various topical clusters; and, for the more informed (or
well guided) student, those various categorizations would allow for some quite
exciting investigations, with a range of indexes based not just on vocation
(from accountants to surveyors) or thematic issues, but also such additional
variables as region, gender, religion, and place of birth. Those clusterings
will not, however, reflect the full scope - or even necessarily a
representative sample - of the important individuals involved in those areas:
only the ones who died during that time. While this would be of use to someone
possessing a general understanding of the issue under consideration, the
Dictionary would not by itself provide the less experienced student with
an adequate interpretative framework. That the teacher would have to provide.
The Dictionary is a valuable source of scholarship and information -
often original and unique to this publication - but its use at the high school
level would require considerable assistance and guidance.
Recommended with reservations.
Dr. Alexander D. Gregor is the Director of the Centre for Higher
Education, Research and Development at the University of Manitoba.
To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.
Copyright © the Manitoba Library Association.
Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice
is maintained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without
permission.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THIS ISSUE - JANAURY 1, 1999.
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