John Goodman This Week Editor Mgoodinen@nsnews.com 1. A Story as Sharp asa Knife (The Classical Haida Mythtellers and their World) by Robert Bringhurst, Douglas & McIntyre, 527 pp, hardcover, For me one book stands out above all others this vear: Bringhurst’s monumental study of Haida oral literzture resettes volumes of historical material that was in deager ef being lost forever. Knife retells the ancient Haida tales as they were recorded by anthropologist John Swanton in the carly part of his century, The story behind Swanton’s research is interwoven with the myths and the his- tories of the mythtellers to create one complex whole. A classic work and highly recommended. 2. Frans Boas: The Early Years (1858-1906) by Donglas Cole, Douglas & Mclatyre, 360 pp, hardcover. Swanten was sent to study Haida culture by his boss at the Bureau of American Ethnology, Franz Boas, one of the most influential anthropologists of the twentieth century. Douglas Cole (1938-1997) was a professor of history at SFU and one of the world’s leading scholars on Pacific Northwest cuitures. His study of Boas’ life traces the develop- ment of anthropology as it played out in the wilds of B.C. and the backrooms of big city museuras. . The book brings us right up to the era when Swanton was recording the Haida myilis and acts as 2 2teat companion to Bringhurst’s study. 3. Good Time Girls of the Yukon and Gold Rush by Lael Morgan, Whitecap Books, 351 pp, softcover. This secret history of the far north reflects over three decades of research on the part of author Lacl Morgan. As an associate professor at The University of Alaska Fairbanks she became fascinated with the stories of Alaska’s pioneer women — the dance hall girls and prostitutes who fol- jowed a moncy trail northwards. Hundreds of photographs document the frontier society in which far from being parasites the women were “accorded Whitacap poke POATRAIT of an unidentified women included in Lael Morgan’s new study Good Time Giris. unusual licence and respect. And whatever their motives in entering the trade, they definitely earned both.” 4. Zavafa: A Giraffe’s True Stary, from Deep in Africa to the Heart of Faris by Michael Allin, Delta paperback, 215 pp. ‘frue story: in 1826 a 12-foot giraffe, captured in the Sudan, is shipped to Parts. Tie journey invulved shipping the exotic animal across the Mediterranean and then walking Zarafa north through France. Magical. 5. Rebel Life: The Life and Times of Rovert Gosden, Revolutionary, Mystic, Labour Spy oy Mark Leier, New Star Books, 238 pp, softcover . North Vancouver's Mark Leier chronicles the life of obscure radical activist and police spy Robert Gosden. Leier, an SFU history prof, follows Gosden through several decades of labour struggles at the beginning of the century. Leier’s search for the truth about Gosden is a thrilling read and a great introduction to B.C.’s labour history. 1637 Lonsdale Ave. SN. Van. 984-6700 L120 Marine Drive, We Van 926-7710) os x * Bed Frames © Desks * Entertainment Centres © Bookcases ¢ Dining Room ° Uecasional Tables Heritage Oak & Pine 997 West ist St, Norte VAN 984-3255 GPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK.