An Iron in Many a Fire

Susanne Day is a retired education specialist whose focus was physically
challenged, blind, and speech-impaired children.

An Iron in Many a Fire is one man’s personal account of his own life and times. Courtney C.J. Bond has led a full and varied life. Most of his working career has been in military mapping, but his numerous and varied interests and expertise in so many fields have contributed to his most colourful career. As his own “self-portrait” at the beginning of the book shows, his main sphere of interest has been communication but communication on so many levels: art, including sketching, film, theatre, map-making; music and singing; writing in many forms; language and travel; education, politics, and community service. His military career was spent in Canada and abroad both in wartime and in peace. More recently this energetic and enthusiastic man spent considerable time working, making friends, and enjoying himself in several of the developing nations.

This book is compiled from his diaries and memorabilia amassed over the years and is heavy with names and with the opinions of those bearing these names. He has travelled widely both for business and pleasure, and his observations and comments about the places visited are interesting and informative. In years to come, historians and others researching background information of Canadians during much of the twentieth century will read with interest one “middle-level” Canadian’s memories. It will be evident to them that he led an unusually full and varied life and one which afforded him much pleasure, happiness, and the other rewards of many projects and interests entered upon and successfully accomplished. Truly Courtney C.J. Bond is a man of many parts.