A Lacustrine Life: The Lives of Lake Ontario by Daniel Macfarlane
A Non-Fiction Review by James M. Fisher
Writing about Lake Ontario comes easily to me, as I have long considered it "my lake." I estimate that I've spent two-thirds of my life living along its shores—or very close to them. Born in Kingston, I later moved to Toronto, Etobicoke, and Pickering, totaling just over twenty years before relocating east to the Miramichi River. In a sense, I traded a life by the lake for one by the river. Looking back, "the lake" was always there: a vast expanse of water, with the (as then) undiscovered United States just on the other side.
Kingston, at the confluence of the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario, had several lovely parks along the shore, a marina next to Kingston Penitentiary, and boat tours to the Thousand Islands to the east on the St. Lawrence. A bit further west, Sandbanks Provincial Park offered some of the warmest waters north of the border, with beautiful beaches and dunes. That was the only time I swam in the lake's waters. Later, in Toronto, I tried my hand at fishing on the lake (with no luck) and even went sailing on it once.
So it was with great interest that I received a review copy of The Lives of Lake Ontario by Daniel Macfarlane, published by McGill-Queen's University Press. Subtitled An Environmental History, the book offers a comprehensive exploration of the lake’s history—starting with its significance to the Indigenous peoples who lived, fished, and hunted along its shores. It traces the impact of European settlers, the lake's role as a strategic barrier during wartime, and its ongoing influence on human lives (and vice-versa). Macfarlane also delves into the environmental challenges the lake faces, noting that, despite efforts to clean it up, Lake Ontario "may be more polluted than it was a half-century ago." However, he adds a note of cautious optimism, pointing out that "it may not be getting any worse," thanks to the concerted efforts of environmental organizations and cooperation between Canada and the U.S.
The Lives of Lake Ontario is exceptionally well-written and accessible, not merely an academic text. Macfarlane enriches the history of Canada-U.S. relations, and although the chapter "Levels and Regulation" becomes bogged down in acronyms, treaties, and legislation, he skillfully navigates these complexities with a human touch. I thoroughly enjoyed learning more about "my lake," and while I’ve now firmly settled into my riverine life, "The Lake" remains a cherished part of my memories.
About the Author
Daniel Macfarlane is an associate professor in the School of Environment, Geography, and Sustainability at Western Michigan University and the author of Natural Allies: Environment, Energy, and the History of US-Canada Relations.
Book Details
Publisher : McGill-Queen's University Press (Sept. 3 2024)
Language : English
Hardcover : 288 pages
ISBN-10 : 0228022231
ISBN-13 : 978-0228022237