Ontario. 5th ed.

Gordon C. Shaw is professor emeritus in the Faculty of Administrative
Studies at York University.

This guidebook for visitors to Ontario opens with descriptions of the
province’s flora and fauna and an overview of its political and
cultural history. This is followed by a section of practical
information, which lists foreign embassies, among other things, and
recommends caution when driving on icy roads and around bears.

The remaining text divides Ontario into nine geographical regions.
Then, within each region, it lists the communities to be visited on
three possible automobile tours. Subsequent pages describe
accommodation, restaurants, and outdoor activities for each tour. The
price range for each eatery is denoted by a series of dollar signs. (One
wonders how the listings were selected; the well-known Chateau Laurier
is not included with the other Ottawa hotels.) The book is hard to use
since the accommodation and restaurants are listed for each road tour,
separately from the description of the tour.

With respect to its accuracy and relevance, much of the book’s
information is questionable. Toronto, we are told, underwent a rapid
expansion from 1850 to 1860 with the construction of the railway between
Montreal and New York; how would this railway affect Toronto? We also
learn that the City of Windsor enjoyed prosperity with the opening of
the Welland Canal, which permitted boats to reach Lake Erie; in fact,
the Welland Canal does not affect boats sailing the Detroit River
between Windsor and Lake Erie.

Most prospective visitors to Ontario will be better served by other
guides.