The diaries of Louis Riel

Summary: Few historical documents hold the fascination or promise as the revelations which may be found in the diaries of a famous man. Here, in English translation for the first time, are the complete diaries of Canada's most notorious opponent of the established order, Louis Riel. Long available only to scholars and the object of one of the most controversial manuscript sales in recent years, these journals offer a fresh insight into Riel's baffling personality, uncovering his innermost thoughts during a critical period in his own life and in the history of Canada. The first entries date from June 1884 when Riel was living as an obscure school teacher in Montana: later, the notebooks record his anxieties during the months of the North-West Rebellion and his subsequent imprisonment ending some three weeks before his execution at Regina in November, 1885. The contradictions of Riel's character are abundantly illustrated in these pages, as is his perception of the Rebellion as a religious as well as political movement -- a significant key to the interpretation of the events of 1885. Louis Riel, the leader, has preoccupied students of history for almost a century. With this volume, we have the opportunity at last to become acquainted with the man behind the facade of his public image.