The History of Montréal

Montreal is intriguing. For centuries, people have written, talked, and sung about it, enthusiastically, romantically, even sullenly, but never indifferently. Surprisingly, NO OTHER recent book in English recounts the history of the largest French-speaking city in the Americas, likely the second largest in the world. Close to 500 years ago, Jacques Cartier glowingly described Hochelaga, Montreal’s predecessor, and the surrounding country as “the finest and most excellent one could find anywhere… with large fields covered with corn.” He also lavished praise on the people who welcomed him. Some 150 years ago, Henry David Thoreau, in A Yankee in Canada, wrote that the city reminded him of Paris but also of Edinburgh and left the impression that “a French revolution might break out any moment.” And some 65 years ago, it was in Montreal that Jackie Robinson broke into professional baseball. He later attributed some of his success to Montreal and the wonderful welcome he received.22 mars 2012 j nadeau In 1967, Charles De Gaulle chose the balcony of the Montreal City Hall to cry “Vive le Québec libre” thus, as one advisor said, paying back Louis XIV’s debt. And in 2012, hundreds of thousands of students marched in the streets of Montreal during the biggest student strike in North American history, confirming the city’s reputation as a social hotspot. Montreal is one of those unique cities at the crossroads of history. Paul-André Linteau’s The History of Montréal now provides essential background as the city prepares for its 375th anniversary in 2017.