Harvests of War (Oxford)

The Harvests of War discusses the impact that the First World War had on the Canada's prairie provinces. At the outbreak of war, two of the provinces had only been in Confederation less than a decade, and the region was in a period of transition. Railway construction had dropped off considerably in 1913, unemployment was increasing, agricultre was expanding, largely due to the influx of immigrants, many who were from central and eastern Europe. The war brought an abrupt change, some of which was good, but more of which was not so good, and in some cases, had detrimental consequences that would linger for years. In particular, the war years heightened the region's sense of alienation--a problem that continues to persist--from central Canada, which sought to maintain political and economic dominance over the war effort. The book may sound as though it is dry and academic, but it is in fact quite accessable and overall is a fascinating read.