THE STORY OF LOUIS RIEL THE REBEL CHIEF

THE STORY OF LOUIS RIEL THE REBEL CHIEF $6

This book is from Andrea’s personal collection.  [Kangaroo Poet Andrea Riel-Lean is descended from Louis Riel’s father, and she regards Louis Riel as a spiritual ancestor as well as a distant great-grand-uncle.  The Republic of Assiniboia, under the leadership of Louis Riel, won the war it declared against Canada in 1870, but lost ultimately at the peace table, and history has subsequently been re-written, as it always is, to reflect just one side of the story.]  This is a 1970 photo facsimile of the 1885 original book, written before Riel’s carcass turned cold.  It considers itself as a neutral commentary on Riel, but it is most decidedly one-sided, venomously so.  It thus gives an accurate picture of the degree of hostility towards the Métis from English central Canada.  When first published, this book was by ‘Anonymous’, but is now generally attributed to Joseph Edmond Collins (he wrote four forgettable novels in the same style as this book).  The text of this book is now in the public domain, so you can read it free on-line at several sites; we recommend http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/10399  The book is almost entirely conjecture, fantasy, fiction; as testified by people such as Andrea who are descendants of eye-witnesses.  Here’s another example (see related comments at http://www.amazon.com/Story-Louis-Riel-Rebel-Chief/dp/1419183931 ) by Charlene Pickering, another great-grand-daughter of participants: I did not buy this book, but I read some inserts about Frog Lake from the book, and as the other reviewer stated, this book is pure fiction, the writer didn't even take the time to research the event; had he done so he would have known what he was writing about. He states “W.C. Gilchrist, and Williscroft, two fine young men".  But James Williscroft was an elderly man. “Croft fell pierced by two or three bullets" the writer says, by Croft meaning Williscroft, (one word) and “was killed in the house” -- which he was not; he was killed going to Big Bear's camp, as was William Gowanlock. Theresa Gowanlock did not seize the Indian from behind, nor was she killed as the writer says.  She was taken captive to Big Bear's camp, and lived to tell her account of the story. How do I know so much?  I'm the great grand daughter of James Williscroft and have studied the accounts of the massacre. Would I buy this book?  Never!  And now that I have read the small amount that I have read, I would not knowingly buy anything that this author has written.

This book was used as a school textbook in some parts of Ontario for over forty years, and is therefore worth examining as a study in disinformation; this is an example of what fanned the flames of prejudice.

Ex-library, 1970 photo facsimile copy of the 1885 original; softcover, fair; [Category: History, Canadian] [AC]ITEM AA06

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DIRECTORY “A”...ANDREA’S STAGE

CATEGORY AC [LOUIS RIEL]

[AC]ITEM AC15...RIEL: A LIFE OF REVOLUTION Maggie Siggins $22

The controversy surrounding Louis Riel has hardly abated since his execution for treason over a century ago.  With each generation his persona has taken on different colours and nuances.  In this biography, Siggins uncovers a complex man full of contradiction and angst, a charismatic visionary and poet, a humanitarian who gave up prestige and wealth to fight for his people.  This is a story of a revolutionary in the making, centering on the people and events that moulded him, some of which have barely received mention in other studies.  Siggins persuasively argues that Riel was assassinated by the state because he was delaying land development in the West.

ISBN 0002157026; hardcover, unclipped dust jacket, stated first edition 1994;extensive end-notes, bibliography, index; 507 pages; good condition

[AC]ITEM AC80...THE LIFE OF LOUIS RIEL Peter Charlebois $26

[AC]ITEM AF03… MASSACRE AT WACO, TEXAS Clifford L. Linedecker $6

He loved God. He loved guns. He was the Evil Messiah. 'I am Christ.'--self-proclaimed Messiah David Koresh,[and reincarnation of Louis Riel] to his followers. He promised them Heaven...instead, he took them to Hell.

1993 pb; ISBN 0312952260

Other items:

[AC]ITEM OBAA0062...SONGS OF THE NORTHWEST  from the Louis Riel collection of  Park Lane Recordings, 33 rpm single soft plastic record, SIDE ONE: Tribulations d’un roi malheureux, Marching Song of Kildonan  SIDE TWO: The Charge at Batoche $35

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