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The Eastern Townships Adventure Volume 1: A History to 1837 & Volume 2: 1837 to 1900
by Bernard Epps

Epps writes in an appealing voice and with almost headlong narrative energy. His use of vivid detail and illuminating quotation are the result of extensive, loving research. (Steve Luxton, in “Foreword,” Volume 1)

Bernard Epps originally published Volume 1: A History to 1837 in 1992 through Pigwidgeon Press, but it has since gone out of print.

Although Volume 2: 1837 to 1900 was completed, it remained unpublished for over 20 years. In 2023, renewed interest in the manuscript prompted us to release both volumes as a set. We are grateful to the Bélanger-Gardner Foundation for supporting this project.

The Townships Sun, the Eastern Townships Resource Centre, and Shoreline Press have joined forces to publish this riveting read by Bernard Epps, beloved Townships writer and historian. It is available for purchase as of December 1st, 2024.

New Features

Giving a new life to manuscripts researched and written before 1982 was a challenge. The editorial team ― Angela Leuck, Jody Robinson, and myself ― aimed for fidelity to Epps’s narrative and piquant humour, while editing and rigorously fact-checking the text. In addition to his extensive endnotes, we added a number of explanatory footnotes. (Rachel Garber, in “Preface,” Volume 1)

This two-volume set will contain Bernie’s memorable writing, accompanied by new historical images from the Eastern Townships Resource Centre’s archives. Denis Palmer created the cover art for both volumes. Other features are a timeline for each chapter, new easy-to-read maps, some drawn by Bernie Epps himself, an index, and two enriching appendices, one about the past, the other about the future from today’s varied perspectives, by Royal Orr, Marc T. Boucher, Marie Moliner, Scott Verity Stevenson, Joanne Pocock, and William Floch.

Place your order here:

Questions? Feel free to email us at [email protected].