The Canadian Army Reading List - Version 1, September 2001
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Canadian Military Heritage

(Note: this section provides general titles, additional Canadian related studies for specific periods can be found in other sections)

Allan, Robert S. His Majesty’s Indian Allies: British Indian Policy in the Defence of Canada, 1774 – 1815. Toronto and Oxford: Dundurn, 1992. ISBN 1-55002-184-2.

This book examines the relationship between the Indians and the British military during the War of the American Revolution and the end of the War of 1812.  This alliance at times proved pivotal in the protection of the Canadian territories.

Chartrand, Rene. Canadian Military Heritage: Volume I, 1000 - 1754. Montreal: Art Global, 1993. ISBN 2-920718-44-4

Chartrand, Rene. Canadian Military Heritage: Volume II: 1755 – 1871. Montreal, Art Global, 1995. ISBN 2-920718-45-2.

Chartrand, Rene. Canadian Military Heritage: Volume III: 1872 – 2000. Montreal: Art Global, 2000. ISBN 2-920718-51-7.

Written by the former Chief Curator of Historic Sites with the Canadian Parks Service and the Director of the Directorate of History and Heritage (Vol III), these three books provide an excellent overview of military events in Canada. Beginning with Native cultures and their military structure, the authors examine Viking exploration, the establishment of European Settlements in Canada, competition between the French, English, Spanish and Natives for control of the continent and the various wars that effected Canada, and the growth of the Canadian military. Lavishly illustrated, this is the best source to gain an appreciation of 1000 years of military history and heritage. The first two volumes are the best of the three.

Cooke, Owen A. The Canadian Military Experience 1867 – 1995: A Bibliography/Bibliogrpahie de la vie military au canada 1867 – 1995. Ottawa: Department of National Defence, 1997.

An extremely useful bibliographical guide on Canadian military history.

English, John A. The Canadian Army and the Normandy Campaign: A Study in the Failure of High Command. New York : Praeger, 1991. ISBN 0-275-93019-X.

This study by a retired Canadian Army officer examines the Canadian Army in the Normandy Campaign in two parts. Part one analyzes the impact of British doctrine, training, methods of staff and command appointments, equipment and organization on the Canadian Army. Considerable discussion centres on the effectiveness of training. The second part is a critical analysis of Canadian operations in Normandy.

Hitsman, J. Mackay. Safeguarding Canada: 1763 – 1871. Toronto University of Toronto Press, 1968.

A detailed study of defence policy from the fall of New France to the withdrawal of the British garrison from Canada. It includes an overview of geographical factors, resources, government attitudes and those of the people living in Canada.

Morton, Desmond. A Military History of Canada. Edmonton: Hurtig Publishers, 1985. Later editions available.

An overview of the great panorama that constitutes Canadian military history, arguing that military events influenced the development of Canada more than any other factor.

Stacey, C. P. Introduction to the Study of Military History for Canadian Students. Sixth edition, 4th revision, Ottawa, Directorate of training, 1972. Disponible en français.

Prepared as a guidebook for junior officer exams this booklet provides a good general overview of army history from 1690 to 1945.

Verney, Jack. The Good Regiment: The Carignan-Salieres Regiment in Canada, 1665 – 1668. Montreal and Kingston: McGill-Queen’s University Press, 1991. ISBN 0-7735-0813-9.

In 1665 King Louis XVI ordered the Carignan-Salieres Regiment to Canada to help save the Royal Colony from destruction at the hands of the Iroquois. Launched almost immediately upon arrival to attack the Indians in the dead of winter, the regiment was almost destroyed. Within months though it had stabalized the French situation and ensured the survival of the colony. Following their service, many members of the Regiment stayed on in Canada. The Carignan-Salieres Regiment was the first regular military unit to serve in Canada.