Prophecy of the Swan covers twenty-nine years in the
history of the Peace River valley in northeastern British Columbia. A
vivid portrayal of life in some of the most isolated fur trade posts,
it describes the intense competition between the North West and the
Hudson's Bay companies, the individuals who were involved in
exploration and commerce, and, finally, the shocking 'massacre of
St. Johns.' It is unique in its integration of historic information
and archaeological discovery, as it combines information recovered from
many years of archaeological excavation with first-hand impressions of
day-to-day life drawn from the few existing journals kept by company
clerks.
The authors focus not on the elites and middle management, but on
the labourers and tradesmen, the wives and the children, whose lives
were affected by the fur trade. Written for both a general audience
interested in the history of British Columbia as well as fur trade
scholars who will appreciate its innovative approach, this book brings
new knowledge and insights to the study of this period in the
province's history.
Prophecy of the Swan also portrays life an archaeological
project -- the endless hours of digging, the exacting work methods, and
the small rewards inherent in discovery, as well as the mystique and
romance that surround such an evocation of history.
