New Brunswick: A Colour Guidebook

Randall White is the author of Voice of Region: On the Long Journey to
Senate Reform in Canada, Too Good to Be True: Toronto in the 1920s, and
Global Spin: Probing the Globalization Debate.

It’s a truism worth repeating: newcomers see things differently. And
this is certainly the case in this New Brunswick travel guide by the
Eiselts, a Dutch husband-and-wife team who currently make their home in
Fredericton. Their color photos make this volume a must-buy for any New
Brunswick visitor. And they’re not your usual touristy shots either
(although the authors do acknowledge a few that came from the New
Brunswick Tourism files), but include delightful closeups of people
working and enjoying the varied summer offerings.

The format of the book follows the four major highway systems; the text
is designed to help visitors spot worthwhile attractions, both visual
and seasonal, along these main routes. Short background articles by
acknowledged authorities provide historical accounts of the Acadians,
the Loyalists, the Irish, and the Native peoples of the area. A 28-page
appendix of “New Brunswick Travel Tips,” starting with “Getting
There,” is followed by listings for accommodations, dining,
attractions, and outdoor recreation (from bicycle, canoe, and kayak
rentals to whale watching and hayrides). These entries were
independently chosen by the authors (“no payments or donations of any
kind were solicited or accepted from anyone”). This wonderfully
practical and visually rewarding guide also includes a good index.