Double book launch at Sydney library
Historian to release two new works at Tuesday event
Most writers would be content to launch one book at a time but award-winning author and historian A.J.B. (John) Johnston will be upping the ante by releasing two new works at his upcoming launch on Tuesday at the McConnell Library.
Johnston will be launching his long-awaited novel, “Something True” and his first young adult novel, “The Hat,” at the 7 p.m. event.
The coming-of-age story, “Something True,” was inspired by the true-life story of Katharine McLennan who lived from 1892 until 1975 and was a prominent figure in the island’s history.
McLennan was the daughter of J.S. McLennan, a manager in Cape Breton’s coal and steel industries, and she grew up in wealthy circumstances. She supported many local causes including the Cape Breton Regional Library itself, donating the land where the downtown Sydney library is now located.
She went overseas to help the Allied troops during the First World War, against her father’s wishes, and was later heavily involved in the Fortress of Louisbourg restoration project, being responsible for the exhibits and collections in the Louisbourg Museum.
“The Hat” is a young adult novel about the Acadian Deportation from Grand Pré in 1755. It is about how two children and a whole village deal with forces and events beyond their control.
Johnston was a historian with Parks Canada for more than 30 years. He is an author or co-author of 13 books and more than 100 articles on different aspects of Atlantic Canadian history.
The Canadian Historical Association awarded him a Clio prize for his “Endgame 1758: The Promise, the Glory and the Despair of Louisbourg’s Last Decade.” Johnston was made a chevalier of France’s Ordre des Palmes académiques in recognition of his many publications on the history of the French in Atlantic Canada.
Everyone is welcome to attend next week’s launch.
The Cape Breton Curiosity
Shop will be on hand to sell copies of the books and the author will be there to sign them.