They Were Giants in Those Days: Stories from the Heart of the Cariboo

A.A. den Otter is a professor of history at Memorial University of
Newfoundland and the author of The Philosophy of Railways.

Among the bonds that unite communities are the sense of place and the
experiences of personalities nourished by a common history. Eldon Lee,
who obviously is very much attached to his locale, has gathered together
a number of stories that recollect the doings of people in the Cariboo
region of British Columbia. Borrowing a phrase from the Honourable Denis
Murphy, MLA and judge, Lee calls these persons giants. All stood (or
still stand) out above others and each made a significant contribution,
be it at home or in law, education, justice, medicine, religion,
agriculture, or defence. Each individual helped create a unique
community.

The value of this book is that its stories, based on factual
information, are repeated in many regions across Canada. They help us
understand how local tales help form communities. As a result of its
microscopic view that the book will appeal mainly to residents of the
Cariboo (particularly those of Knife Creek Road) and to visitors who
wish to gain an appreciation of the history of area.