"I am roughly halfway through the book, and what has amazed me is how much of the rich history our city is connected to the land and those who have shaped it, and turned it to good purposes. I love what I am learning about the people who contributed to giving shape and content to life here. Your writing style is so accessible -- great history and storytelling -- a magic combination in my books. Well done!"--Bob Robertson I must tell you how fascinating your new book is and how much I learned!! I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. The different essays were very enlightening and so much that I did not know. The section on the Chinese Gardeners and the contribution of Gladys Reeves were totally unknown to me and really are an interesting part of Edmonton's history!--Michael Phair "I have just finished your book and am wanting to thank you for writing it. I found all of the essays very interesting, the writing excellent, and the development of themes riveting. I pictured you pouring over sources and enjoying all the small and big discoveries.

Loved the way you traced the evolution of the City Beautiful theme to present day community gardens. I enjoyed the book and was impressed by your work on it."--Donna Cardinal.