Canada Curls: The Illustrated History of Curling in Canada

Theresa Paltzat is the Smart Search librarian at the Edmonton Public
Library.

Doug Maxwell brings to this book 50 years of involvement in curling as a
broadcaster, print journalist, and tournament organizer. His focus is on
the love that many Canadians have for the game, and its growing
popularity through the years. In the introduction, he declares that
Canada has more curlers than the rest of the world combined.

The first chapter discusses Canada’s “conceit” that we are better
than any other country at this winter sport, and our disappointment at
not achieving the expected gold medals at the 2002 Winter Olympics in
Salt Lake City. Following chapters offer a history of the game in
Canada, including a discussion of the legend that in 1759, the 78th
Fraser Highlanders (a military division in Quebec) sought permission to
melt down cannonballs and turn them into curling stones. Other
developments in Canadian curling stones are also explained, including
“thunder mugs”—chamber pots that were filled with mortar. The
author describes the conflict between Eastern and Western Canada
(curling clubs in the East favored irons, while clubs in the West used
granite stones), which was resolved in 1925 when the first Brier was
played with granite stones. Individual chapters are devoted to the
history of the Brier, women’s curling, and Canada’s involvement in
the Olympics and other international competitions.

The book includes a timeline of curling events through history, a list
of the past winners of major championships, and photos of curling in
Canada from as early as 1877. Canada Curls is an enjoyable read and
should interest even the most casual curling fan.