Canadian Historical Review: 'Many Deaths...' is "a welcome addition to the literature"

Meaghan Beaton, a Western Washington University (USA) historian, wrote a review of The Many Deaths of Tom Thomson for the highly-regarded academic journal, Canadian Historical Review.

Dr. Beaton offers:
"Klages has produced a timely and valuable contribution to the literature on Thomson that certainly will be of interest to historians, artists, and popular audiences."

"Klages work serves as a valuable reminder to historians about the importance of methodology and the use of primary documents."

For the full review, see the March 2017 issue of the CHR, Vol. 98, Iss. 1 (pgs. 161-163).

http://dx.doi.org/10.3138/chr.98.1.BR07

Jan 2017: Sean Graham reviews 'Many Deaths of Tom Thomson' on ActiveHistory.ca

Sean Graham writes: "The Many Deaths of Tom Thomson hits all the right notes. It’s well researched and illuminates a major Canadian cultural figure while at the same time making room for conspiracies and potentially outlandish claims. At a time when facts have given way to feelings, it’s a terrific reminder of the historian’s responsibility to ensure the evidence is always at the forefront."

For the full review, as well as a podcast interview, visit:
http://activehistory.ca/2017/01/history-slam-episode-ninety-two-the-many-deaths-of-tom-thomson/

"Many Deaths.." included in Writers' Trust of Canada, Best Books of 2016

On 14 Dec., 2016, the Writers' Trust of Canada announced their list of best books of 2016, as recommended by Canadian authors.

http://www.writerstrust.com/Home/Recommended-Reading/2016-Best-Books-of-the-Year.aspx

Many Deaths of Tom Thomson was recommended by Debra Komar, former forensic pathologist, author of Bastard of Fort Stikine and Black River Road, among other titles. Komar is also the recipient of the 2015 Canadian Authors Association Canadian History award.

Canada's History magazine review of 'Many Deaths of Tom Thomson'

Winnipeg journalist Alison Gillmor has reviewed The Many Deaths of Tom Thomson for Canada's History magazine.  Gillmor states: "The Many Deaths of Tom Thomson stands as both a conscientious case study and a larger investigation into what history can and cannot do."

Writer Mark Reynolds reviews "Many Deaths…" for Christopher Moore's blog

Mark Reynolds, a Chicago writer who has written for popular outlets such as Canada's History, recently reviewed The Many Deaths of Tom Thomson for Christopher Moore's blog.

Reynolds says:
"Klages' mission was to rip up th[e] overgrowth of supposition away from the record, and then trace the vines and roots of each to disentangle them from the truth. As such, reading the book is less like reading a conventional history that it is akin to sitting in the jury while a very thorough prosecutor methodically, rigorously and uncompromisingly builds a case. No witness, no piece of evidence is left without having its credibility or provenance examined to the minutest degree."

Regarding Klages' assessment of one popular writer's work on Thomson, Reynolds offers:
"...the ruthlessness with which Klages reveals the speculation, sloppy research and unsupported family legend through which the author has polluted the public understanding of Thomson’s story was a tour de force of rigorous history over sensationalizing careerism." 

Award-winning author Debra Komar reviews MDTT on Goodreads

Debra Komar, author of the multiple award-winning 'The Bastard of Fort Stikine' (among other titles), has reviewed The Many Deaths of Tom Thomson on Goodreads. I am flattered that such a respected author (and retired forensic pathologist) had so many good things to say about the book, including:

"I have read many books on the subject and this is the most even-handed account available. Klages ...does a great job of tracing the origins of the narratives [regarding Thomson] that persist in Canadian history. The book is better written than any of its predecessors and is competently researched. ...the book is interesting, surprisingly fast-paced and lean, and worth a read."

Review: "Anyone with even a cursory interest in the Thomson mystique will want to read The Many Deaths of Tom Thomson"

"Paddling into the mists of mystery on Canoe Lake"

Rob Reid, former Arts Editor for the Kitchener-Waterloo Record, writes on his Reid Between the Lines blog:

"Aptly subtitled Separating Fact from the Fiction, the book published by Dundurn does exactly that….

I won’t detail the sober, dispassionate methodology Klages applies to questioning, challenging, [and] testing... the claims… .

Anyone with even a cursory interest in the Thomson mystique will want to read The Many Deaths of Tom Thomson."

Andrew Armitage in Owen Sound Sun-Times (11 June 2016)

Regarding The Many Deaths of Tom Thomson, Armitage writes,"I took it home, reading and rereading it..."

"Six years ago, when Roy MacGregor wrote Northern Lake: The Enduring Mystery of Tom Thomson, I bought totally into his conclusions. Now, after reading Klages, I have changed my mind..."

Goodreads review: 5 out of 5 stars - "a model of what popular history should be"

A Goodreads reviewer, John FitzGerald, has offered an extremely gratifying response to the The Many Deaths of Tom Thomson: Separating Fact from Fiction. He says, in short:

"[the] book is a thorough and highly competent examination of purported evidence… it is extremely well argued.

"Klages ...gets to the point quickly about each piece of evidence -- no weltering in unnecessary detail here -- and the book moves along quickly in an intelligent and clear style…

This book is a model of what popular history should be -- interesting, pertinent, cogent, significant, and a damn good read."

Thanks, John!

A lovely 4 out of 5 stars review of 'Many Deaths of Tom Thomson'

David Weinberg has posted a very kind review (spoiler alert!) of The Many Deaths of Tom Thomson at LibraryThing.com.

David writes, in part: "The Many Deaths of Tom Thomson is almost a courtroom drama of evidence and witnesses. It is fair, balanced, and clear. You are definitely there at the scene, and you get to know all the characters thoroughly and intimately. There simply can’t be more than this; it is definitive. We can only hope."

Thank you, David!