Eye Opener Bob by MacEwan, Grant - 1957

Edmonton Alberta: The Institute of Applied Art, 1957 Eye Opener Bob is one of Alberta's most collectible books, said to be Grant MacEwan's best: "no book that has brought to life early Calgary the way that Eye Opener Bob does,"and having as its subject Canada's answer to Mark Twain or maybe Daniel Webster, a harddrinking satirical Scot who, after a brief sojourn in Edmonton, moved on. (He said he found the homes of the Edmontonian's unappealing. "They contain nothing but enlarged photos of deceased Ontario relatives."). He proceeded to found the Calgary Eyeopener, a successful newspaper which grew to a circfulation of over 30,000. John Walter Grant MacEwan served on the faculties of the Universities of Saskatchewan and Manitoba, as mayor of Calgary, and as lieutenant governor of Alberta.An advocate of conservation and regional historical awareness,he was also a wellknown writer and respected for his knowledge of livestock. This book is of the third 1962 printing of the 1957 original edition and is in very good condition in a Very Good + jacket. The top front inner board has sustained a bump and there is a small mark, presumably as a souvenir of the same calamity. The original owner has left us his embossed seal on the flyleaf, and to our good fortune, the author has left his signature and Best Wishes. The dust jacket is complete, unclipped, unharmed and perhaps a bit faded. The DJ spine is somewhat yellowed. Protected by Brodart Cover. A piece of history and a fine gift for someone who feels affection for this city. The man described as "the Western Canadian of the Twentieth Century" died on June 15, 2000.