catalogue

4 B FRONT LIST: SPRING 2014
Vancouver Is Ashes
THE GREAT FIRE OF 1886
Lisa Anne Smith
d
AVAILABLE MARCH 2014
print ISBN: 978-1-55380-320-1
e-book ISBN: 978-1-55380-322-5
pdf ISBN: 978-1-55380-321-8
6 x 9 200 pp
30 b&w photos trade paper $21.95
On the morning of June 13, 1886, a rogue wind fanned the flames of a
small clearing fire — and within five hours the newly incorporated city
of Vancouver, British Columbia, had been reduced to smouldering ash.
Vancouver Is Ashes: The Great Fire of 1886 is the first detailed exploration
of what happened on that pivotal, yet seldom revisited day in the history
of Canada’s third-largest city. Smith introduces eye-witness accounts
that tell of flames sweeping down wooden sidewalks “faster than a man
could run,” houses constructed of freshly milled lumber that virtually
exploded in the onslaught, as well as hair-breadth escapes of Vancouver
citizens from all walks of life. Strange, often unlikely stories emerge in
the aftermath — such as the pile of ice discovered amidst the burnedout
wreckage and the near-miraculous survival of a downtown hotel.
Ramifications of the catastrophe that continued into the days, months
and years following are examined, resulting in some surprisingly
positive, as well as negative conclusions.
HISTORY
ALSO BY LISA ANNE SMITH (see p. 10)
B Our Friend Joe (978-1-55380-146-7)
PROMOTION PLANS
B Advertising in Vancouver Sun, wholesalers’
catalogues, BC Studies, Canada’s History,
BC BookWorld, Canadian Literature
B Media in Vancouver and Victoria
B Reading opportunities across BC
B National review copies mailed to print,
radio and electronic media
B Bookmarks and posters
LISA ANNE SMITH was born in Burnaby, BC. She
is a longtime education docent at the Museum of Vancouver
and is a member of Native Daughters of B.C., owners and
operators of Old Hastings Mill Store Museum, Vancouver’s
oldest building. Her published books include Our Friend Joe:
The Joe Fortes Story (Ronsdale Press, 2012) and Travels with
St. Roch: A Book for Kids (2001). Lisa lives in Vancouver
with her husband, two grown children, and Sunny, the
world’s least intelligent but most loveable golden retriever.