Canadian War Museum Historian Tim Cook releases new Vimy100 book with guest lecture at King's

The J.M.S. Careless History Society at King’s University College welcomes preeminent historian Tim Cook of the Canadian War Museum on March 23rd at 5 p.m. in the Joanne and Peter Kenny Theatre, 266 Epworth Ave. London. Cook will present a lecture on the 100th anniversary of the battle at Vimy Ridge and he will launch his new book, Vimy: The Battle and The Legend which will be available for purchase and signing following the lecture.

Dr. Tim Cook is a historian at the Canadian War Museum. He was the curator for the museum’s World War One permanent gallery, and he has curated numerous temporary, travelling and digital exhibitions. He has also authored ten books, most of which have been longlisted, shortlisted or awarded prizes, including the C.P. Stacey Prize for Military History (twice), the Ottawa Book Award (twice), the RBC Taylor Prize for Literary Non-Fiction, the BC National Book Award, the J.W. Dafoe Book Prize, the Canadian Authors Association Literary Award and the Shaughnessy Cohen Prize for Political Writing. His newest book is Vimy: Battle and Legend . In 2012, Dr. Cook was awarded the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal for his contributions to Canadian history and in 2013 he received the Governor General’s History Award for Popular Media: The Pierre Berton Award. Dr. Cook is a Member of the Order of Canada.

At King’s, Cook will discuss how the victorious four-day battle of Vimy Ridge, that claimed the lives of 10,600, became an origin story for all of Canada. The battle resulted in the capture of more territory, prisoners and armaments than any previous war effort and has been described as the "birth of the nation." Cook’s lecture will explore the emergence of the Vimy idea, its changing meaning, and its endurance as a symbol of Canadian service and sacrifice.

Cook’s book contains new material and photographs from official archives and private collections from around the world. His work ties directly to the study of history at King’s where students here are immersed in Canadian, European and World War history courses. King’s students have also participated in the Canadian Battlefields tours across Belgium and France, visiting Vimy and studying at Juno. King’s professor, Dr. Graham Broad, has recently published a second book based on war history. One in a Thousand follows the history of a London, Ontario flying ace in World War One.

The Strathroy-Caradoc Museum and the Royal Canadian Regiment Museum in London will have artifacts on display from World War One during Cook’s presentation.

The goal of the J.M.S. Careless History Society is to enrich academic life and provide a social environment in which undergraduates, academics, and community members have the opportunity to come together and partake in a collaborative forum that emphasizes the relevance and value of all things historical.