Nova Scotia’s history explored in new book Author Leo Deveau coming to Truro Nov. 18 for book signing at Cole’s

Leo Deveau has combined images and stories of Nova Scotia’s history to form a book called ‘400 Years in 365 Days.’

To mark Canada 150 he thought it would be nice to update the ‘Nova Scotia Book of Days,’ published by Shirley Elliott in 1979. He got permission from the House of Assembly, which owns the copyright on the book, and went to work.

“I’ve always been interested in history,” he said. “I looked at things in my own family and thought about how that affected my life. I had a grandfather who fought in World War One. If he hadn’t survived I wouldn’t be here.

“The world is here because many men and women lived the best lives they could. As you get older that resonates more and you realize how precious life is and pay more attention to it.”

Deveau grew up on P.E.I. but has been a resident of Nova Scotia for more than 30 years, currently living in Halifax.

He has an education and library background and during the past summer he worked as a Titanic graves tour guide.

“I wore a kilt for that and got a lot of interesting questions about kilts and history, so now I wear a kilt for book signings,” he said. “It’s a bit of marketing and history.”

‘400 Years in 365 Days’ includes entries on politics, military, sports, arts and more areas, accompanied by photos and artwork.

Deveau will be at Coles, in the Truro Mall, to talk to people and sign his book on Nov. 18 from noon until 1:30 p.m. From 3-4:30 p.m. that day he will be at Coles in the Highland Square Mall, in New Glasgow.

The book, which was published Oct. 13, can be purchased at Coles or on Amazon. More information can be found at www.400years.ca