Louisbourg

Olaf Uwe Janzen is an associate professor of history at Memorial
University and reviews editor of The Northern Mariner.

Supported by the photography of Norman Munroe, this visually appealing
and well-organized visitor’s guide to the reconstructed 18th-century
fortified town of Louisbourg features a brief survey of the town’s
history before, during, and after the French period; a sensibly
organized walking tour with informative essays on all the major
buildings and structures on site; a perceptive explanation of the
challenges faced and met in reconstructing Louisbourg; and even advice
on sights and trails in and around Louisbourg for those who seek more
than a day-visit experience.

There are a few inaccuracies. For example, the fortified town did not
guard the entrance to the Gulf of St. Lawrence; rather, its role was to
anchor development of Оle Royale as a fishing colony more viable than
its predecessor at Plaisance in Newfoundland. The awkward dimensions of
the book subvert its utility as a visitor’s guide; something more
easily accommodated in a pocket would have been handier.

Quibbles aside, this is unquestionably the best Louisbourg visitor’s
guide to date. Its first-rate introduction to the history of Louisbourg
makes it a valuable resource for high-school and undergraduate students
as well.