About the Author

Gordon Aiken was a soldier, lawyer, judge, writer, and for 15 years Member of Parliament for Parry Sound-Muskoka - the same region in which the events of this novel took place a century earlier. He was author of The Backbencher. He died in 2000.

Reviews

Gordon Aiken seems to know Muskoka as well as his own face. This novel grips attention early with as vivid a description of a forest fire as has ever been put in print in small space. If you are interested in history in easy-to-read fiction form, this book is a must. Muskokans should read it and this one did read it.
*Gordon Sinclair, Toronto Star columnist and CFRB Radio broadcaster*

A surprisingly good evocation of the nature of a partisan activist, the grist stuff of a party at the local level.
*Douglas Fisher, former MP, broadcaster, and Toronto Sun columnist*

Gordon Aiken's interesting and well-written account of this strange happening brings to life the characteristics of Muskokas main personalities in the 1870s and should appeal to many readers across Canada.
*Robert J. Boyer, newspaper editor, historian, Muskoka MPP 1955-1971*

For us involved in the administration of elections, this is truly fascinating reading.
*Jean-Marc Hamel, former Chief Electoral Officer of Canada*

Aiken has written an interesting and authentic account of pioneer days, embellished with a tale which gives the lie to the old bromide that Canadian politics is dull.
*Sault Ste. Marie Star*