Overview

"""I knew that the airplane was going to change the entire way of life of the people of the North."" In the 1930s, bush pilot Punch Dickins could only guess how true this would be. Even before him, balloonatics soared over the Klondike gold fields and dreamers from across the world made bids for the North Pole. In Dickins' time, planes would bring mail, mercy and money to northern communities as pilots flew into unmapped lands in frigid temperatures. When people flooded North during the Second World War, planes also brought disease and destruction from outside militaries and governments. They increasingly carried Aboriginal tuberculosis patients to southern hospitals, and children to distant residential schools -- some never to return. Sometimes, planes meant high-profile crashes, searches, and, if those onboard were lucky, rescues. But planes and helicopters could also mean scientific discoveries and exciting new jobs for northerners of all backgrounds."

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9781459723795

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Reviews

Polar Winds ?misses nothing in the multifaceted field of aviation... this book has earned its place in the collection of every reader who not only enjoys aviation history but also wishes to learn more about history of our country and its people. - Arctic Magazine

Presented in a well written, well paced narrative that even non-aviation enthusiasts should find engaging and informative.

As Edmonton's historian laureate, Metcalfe-Chenail has captured a rich heritage in great detail, and yet woven it all together in such an entertaining way that it's hard to put Polar Winds down...it's a wonderful read for anyone interested in aviation of Canada's north.

Author Information

Danielle Metcalfe-Chenail is a historian, freelance writer, and the author of For the Love of Flying: the Story of Laurentian Air Services. She currently lives in Edmonton, Alberta.

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