"With this volume provincial history has come of age, both as a subject of study itself and as a field where a most striking contribution can be made to Canadian history as a whole. There should not have been any doubt before; there cannot be any doubt now. This is a first-class book, an exciting book. Canadian historical studies need nothing so much as nine other volumes of the same calibre and scope." - John T Saywell (Canadian Historical Review) "This is more than an excellent history of Manitoba. Its earlier chapters are also the story of the Hudson’s Bay Company, the fur trade of northern North America, the Selkirk struggle with the North West Company, the metis and their significance for Canadian history and the background of Canadian unity as finally achieved. Fresh interpretations appear everywhere. The author has gone to the best sources and has used them with discrimination." (Pacific Historical Review)