National recognition for Endgame 1758

Sydney, NS, June 4, 2008 – Historian A.J.B. (John) Johnston was awarded the Canadian Historical Association's Clio Award for regional history during its annual congress last week.

His latest book, Endgame 1758: The Promise, the Glory and the Despair of Louisbourg's Last Decade (Cape Breton University and University of Nebraska Press) is cited by the CHA as a meritorious publication.

Louisbourg figured prominently in the military, economic and strategic thinking of France and England and peaked during Louisbourg’s last decade, one of the greatest dramas in the history of the continent. The final siege on the French capital, in 1758, brought to a close a century-and-a-half of Anglo-French struggle for dominance.

The 250th anniversary of the final siege will be commemorated through many activities throughout the summer and fall, including community events, a symposium and an encampment weekend (July 25-27), involving more than one thousand history re-enactors from across Canada and the U.S.

Johnston, a long-time historian at Fortress Louisbourg National Historic Site and now working from the Atlantic region offices of Parks Canada in Halifax, is a recognized authority on Louisbourg, Cape Breton, Acadia and Nova Scotia and has published many books and articles on those subjects.

Founded in 1922, the Canadian Historical Association/Société Historique du Canada is a bilingual scholarly organization dedicated to research in all fields of history. As the leading scholarly organization of historians in Canada, the Canadian Historical Association assumes an advocacy role regarding issues of concern to its members and other practitioners interested in advancing the discipline of history in Canada.

Cover story

An article and interview by John Johnston is the cover story of The Beaver: Canada's History Magazine (June/July 2008). http://www.historysociety.ca/bea.asp

Endgame subject of R-C interview

John Johnston, author of Endgame 1758 was interviewed live on Radio Canada, on May 22.

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Johnston in Charlottetown April 26

John Johnston spoke with an enthuiastic audience of more than 60 people on a beautiful sunny afternoon at the Charlottetown waterfront on Sunday afternoon, April 26.

The fall of Louisbourg and the years leading up to that fall were action-packed years in the Maritime - which included the mass deportation of Acadians, so there's lots of interest in John's excellent account of the final decade.

"Endgame" subject of Old Sydney Society Talk

Author John Johnston spoke to a full house at the monthly meeting of the Old Sydney Society, April 24 in Sydney. John's talk encapsulated the strategic importance of 18th-century Louisbourg to French and English colonial powers of the day, with particular emphasis on the size and scope of the final (1758) siege and the imapct of the end of Louisbourg on the rest of the world.

The British assault, which laid siege to the fortress for six weeks, was the largest military exercise ever on North America.

"Endgame 1758" nominated for literary award

Congratulations John Johnston. Endgame 1758: The Promise the Glory and the Despair of Lousibourg's Last Decade is shortlisted for the Dartmouth Book Award for Non-fiction, to be awarded May 12 in Dartmouth. The winning book includes a $1,500 cheque.

Congratulations John!