Riel: A Life of Revolution

Toronto, Canada: HarperCollins Canada, Limited - HarperPerennial, 1995. First Printing . Trade Paperback. Very Good. 6" x 9. Siggins, Michael - Maps. 507 Pages Indexed. Tight, square, thick book with some light age tanning to inside covers and top of pages that are not brittle. Beyond this is a book that has the feel of a book hardly used at all. Highly acclaimed for its fresh, intimate portrait of one of Canada's most enduring -- and most misunderstood -- legends, This book has become the reading choice of Canadians everywhere. The controversy surrounding Louis Riel has hardly abated since his execution for treason over a hundred years ago. He has been viewed harshly as an unrepentant traitor to Canada, a messianic prophet and a pathetic tyrant. In this intimate biography, Maggie Siggins uncovers the real Louis Riel-a complex man full of contradiction and angst, a charismatic visionary and poet, a humanitarian who gave up prestige and wealth to fight for the Metis people. Rich in texture and detail, this book is the story of a revolutionary in the making, centering on the people and events that molded him. Remarkable in his ability to straddle two cultures, native and white, and his vision of an equitable relationship between the two, Louis Riel continues to be relevant to a Canada that is only now coming to understand the uniqueness and value of native people. Illustrated with two center sections of black and white photographs.