Into the Mist: The Story of the Empress of Ireland
From 1906 to 1914, the Empress of Ireland, one of the fastest and most elegant liners of the Edwardian era, graced the waters of the Atlantic. During her many crossings between Canada and England, she ferried royals and inventors, authors and scientists, actors and politicians. But most importantly, she carried more than 115,000 hopeful immigrants who had left Europe to build their lives on Canadian soil. This is the story of the Empress, of the many people who walked her decks, and how, in the early morning hours of May 29, 1914, she came to rest on the bottom of the St. Lawrence River.
REVIEWS
“With dozens of photographs and personal narratives, Renaud has humanized this century-old disaster in ways a conventional history book cannot. Moreover, she has provided such a wealth of contextual detail and information that the inquisitive student may be drawn into other areas of research and interest. Anne Renaud has rendered a great service to the memory of the Empress of Ireland and the history of that era. Indeed, she might have titled her work “Out of the Mist”, since that is what she has accomplished for this event, its time and its place.” – Quebec Heritage News, Winter 2011
“With dozens of photographs and personal narratives, Renaud has humanized this century-old disaster in ways a conventional history book cannot. Moreover, she has provided such a wealth of contextual detail and information that the inquisitive student may be drawn into other areas of research and interest. Anne Renaud has rendered a great service to the memory of the Empress of Ireland and the history of that era. Indeed, she might have titled her work “Out of the Mist”, since that is what she has accomplished for this event, its time and its place.” – Quebec Heritage News, Winter 2011
AWARDS
- Shortlisted for the 2011 Information Book Award as part of the Vancouver Children’s Literature Roundtable, in the ages 9-12 category. The award is given to a book that arouses interest, stimulates curiosity, captures the imagination, and fosters concern for the world around us.