- Hardcover: 400 pages
- Publisher: Doubleday Canada (Sep 9 2003)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0385659814
- ISBN-13: 978-0385659819
- Product Dimensions: 23.4 x 16 x 2.8 cm
- Shipping Weight: 680 g
- Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #411,367 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- See Complete Table of Contents
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Product Details |
Product Description
From Amazon
In the post-September 11 environment, James Laxer asks an important question: Is the U.S.-Canada border "a dividing line drawn by contending forces long ago" or "the boundary of a nation, with its own values and outlook?" The York University professor of political science embarks on a road trip to find out, travelling from Campobello, New Brunswick, off the coast of Maine, to Point Roberts, Washington, the westernmost border crossing point, and to the border separating Alaska from British Columbia. He eats Finnish cuisine in Thunder Bay and visits a Russian Orthodox Cathedral in Sitka, Alaska. In a series of lively historical vignettes, we follow British Empire loyalists, the Underground Railroad, Sitting Bull and the Sioux, the Vietnam draft dodgers, and Pakistanis living in the U.S. in the wake of 9-11 as they flee north. No less important is the role of the border for Canadian dissidents, from the leaders of the 1837-1838 rebellions, through Louis Riel, to the Canadian Communists during World War II, all of whom fled south to safety. From rum-running during U.S. Prohibition, to drug and cigarette smuggling, and most recently human smuggling, the border has also been a source of fabulous enrichment for people willing to risk the legal consequences. Laxer concludes that the border delineates "cousins" with different value systems, reflected in differing gun laws, divergent views on capital punishment, distinct approaches to international accords, and different priorities regarding social programs. He argues, "Americans, leaders and people alike, are inextricably caught up in a great imperial undertaking. That blunt fact, as well as a history that has planted values which differ in important ways, has made the border much more consequential than a mere line between neighbouring jurisdictions." As the debate intensifies between those who want a deeper integration with the U.S. and those who wish to strengthen Canada's national independence, The Border offers an engaging and nuanced overview of the issues at hand. --Michael Ryan
Review
“[Laxer] not only makes the case, but he does so with an authoritative grasp of history, politics and economics, all presented in an amiable persuasive manner that belies the sharpness of his analysis. The Border is a well-crafted provocation in the best sense of the word . . . magisterial and entertaining . . .”
—Edmonton Journal
“Laxer makes a major contribution to our understanding of the Canada-U.S. conundrum in his witty, engaging book.”
—Thomas S. Axworthy, Chair of the Centre for the Study of Democracy, Queen’s University
From the Trade Paperback edition.
—Edmonton Journal
“Laxer makes a major contribution to our understanding of the Canada-U.S. conundrum in his witty, engaging book.”
—Thomas S. Axworthy, Chair of the Centre for the Study of Democracy, Queen’s University
From the Trade Paperback edition.
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Most helpful customer reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Decent read.,
Ce commentaire est de: The Border: Canada, the US and Dispatches From the 49th Parallel (Paperback)
This book offers a cross section of topics addressing trade, customs, immigration policies, security between Canada and the USA.I found a couple of interesting chapters in this book but this book lacks a focus and only briefly talks about certain issues while going on for long periods of time on others. While the "travel diary" style of writing makes for easy reading - it is quick to lose cohesiveness when switching to a more academic writing style. This was distracting as it would not flow well nor would there be a clear distinction between the two. Overall, I would say to find this book at a library versus buying outright - your mileage may vary.
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Border,
By A Customer
Ce commentaire est de: The Border: Canada, the US and Dispatches From the 49th Parallel (Paperback)
The border is a well-written and insightful book. It is an easy read, capturing key points and issues between the two countries (Canada - US) that shared similar history. The book takes you along on a long journey across and back from the Canadian side to the Americans, discovering new and wonderful landscape.The Book talks about many political issues that both the American and Canadians struggle to agree upon. Issues such as war on Iraq, harmonizing our immigration policy and even with NORAD agreement. It's an excellent book!
5.0 out of 5 stars
A must read about Canada-US relations,
By Ann (Vancouver, British Columbia Canada) - See all my reviews
Ce commentaire est de: The Border: Canada, the US and Dispatches from the 49th Parallel (Hardcover)
This book is recommended to anyone interested in Canada-US relations, especially those who are interested in immigration policy and the human dimension of security. The book is written in a travel-diary form, which makes it an easy read, at the same time as Laxner manages to make it an interesting read for more 'serious' scholars. The Border is filled with interesting tid-bits of (to the public)largely unknown policy details, historical facts as well as interviews with people living and working along the border. You will look at the border with different eyes after reading this book. A wake-up call for those who believe in further integration!
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