This lively and opinionated history is a whirlwind tour of the Canadian land and inhabitants from the earliest human occupation to the present. The country has undergone several fundamental changes - from Indigenous occupation, to French and British colonization, to the rise of an independent nation and distinct society - and it is doing so yet again. Fully revised, this updated 150th anniversary edition incorporates the latest research that helps us understand the course of history in Canada.

"Whether you are new to the topic or simply in need a quick refresher, this book provides a foundation for a deeper understanding and appreciation of Canada." - William Wilson, University of Ottawa, British Journal of Canadian Studies

"Clear, concise, and colourful."" - Times Colonist (Victoria)

"Lively, compact, and opinionated. . . . If you no longer can recall what is significant about the British North America Act, the Family Compact, the Charlottetown and Meech Lake Accords, the rebellions of Louis Riel, William Lyon Mackenzie and Louis-Joseph Papineau, and the War Measures Act, then this informative volume, a marvel of compression, is for you."" - Hamilton Spectator

"Many are called to write gem-like distillations like this one, but few can pull it off with Nelles's elegance, intelligence, and clarity."" - Canadian Historical Review