Smoke on the Waterfront: November 2020

Wednesday, 11 November 2020

Launching My New Book!

I'm pleased to announce the release of my seventh book, entitled Smoke on the Waterfront - The Trains, Ships and Industries of Kingston Harbour. Professionally-printed in Kingston by Allan Graphics, the book features 75 pages highlighting historic connections to the city's waterfront. One hundred photographs, most previously-unpublished, have been selected to illustrate Kingston's vital waterfront transportation links and commercial enterprises, many of which are only traces on today's downtown scene. Historians and hobbyists alike will treasure the trove of fascinating facts, plus a plethora of photos and maps curated in this book by a local author, blogger and book creator Eric Gagnon. Please see right sidebar for ordering information.

Click for a video preview fireside page-through here

Please enjoy the book's table of contents and complimentary views of sample pages (click for a larger view):

Tuesday, 10 November 2020

Flying out the Door!

It's been a busy weekend! Since the launch on Friday, 27 copies of Smoke on the Waterfront have flown out the door. (Above - ready for the mail!) Thank you to customers and contributors who are receiving their copies. As expected, many customers are in Kingston, and on the Highway 401 Corridor: places like Brockville, Oshawa, Toronto, London, Kitchener and Amherstburg. The Internet reaches every place though, so orders also came in from places like Fergus and Winnipeg! Copies are mailed out, or available for local pick-up. Encouraging. Now, I'm looking forward to hearing some feedback!

Praise for Smoke on the Waterfront

I received your book yesterday. I am particularly drawn to the shipping news. Very interesting as well as the CLC material.

Thanks for bringing out the extensive rail shippers that were in Kingston. - R.M.

The book itself was an excellent read. I learned a lot more about our waterfront industry than I had previously known.

All in all a great addition to my collection. - A.E.

It’s a great book, and an excellent contribution to the written history of Kingston. - B.S.

The book is such a great resource to have. - D.R.

I bought it as soon as I could! - J.M.

Here’s my review: “Highly recommended.” - M.S.

Thanks for the book Eric. I know so much more about Kingston! - B.B.

I've been going through the book this weekend. It’s a super resource and has answered my questions and more! Congrats on a great publication. - R.W.

Thought I'd let you know I enjoyed your book. Great information! - C.H.

Great book, Eric, and born in 1942 in Kingston, so remember most of the photos in the book. - W.C.

I just received your book and like it so much that we decided to give a copy. You did a great job! - S.M.

Very enjoyable. You have written a very comprehensive and readable history. - S.H.

It will be read cover to cover and I will learn some things about Kingston that I did not know. - S.B.

Absolutely fantastic read. My only complaint is that I wish there was more of it! I really enjoy this sort of book. Great work. - B.S.

I highly encourage anyone who has lived in Kingston during this time or is just interested in Kingston's history in general to obtain a copy of this book for your library. You will not regret it. - E.P.

Your research and putting it all together is appreciated! - B.G.

Got the book today. It looks very interesting. Congratulations on a fine book. - H.R.

The book arrived in great shape! And it’s terrific. There's a lot of meat in there! - M.S.

I just finished reading your book. I found it really interesting! - B.B.

I got my copy in the mail last week and just loved it. - A.C.

Excellent book! - D.G.

I just received my copy of "Smoke on the Waterfront". This is a book that badly needed to be written, congratulations on having done an excellent job in covering Kingston's rich railroad and waterfront industrial heritage! Having spent much of my youth around the rails and waterfront in Kingston, the scenes and text bring back many wonderful memories for me. Thank You for writing it! - J.M.

Impressive! I have been deeply absorbed by your wonderful work. I can’t put it down. You make this city’s history truly fascinating; not only the railway aspect, but all of the industries that I never knew about. Thoroughly enjoying your book, your fine writing and the excellent photos. Well done! - M.S.