Who Killed Canadian History?

Who Killed Canadian History? examines why Canadians lack knowledge of their national history. Author J.L. Granatstein, a prominent Canadian historian, presents his case for how multiculturalism policies and changes in academic approaches have impacted historical education in Canada. The book documents shifts in how history is taught in Canadian schools and universities since the mid-20th century. Granatstein analyzes the decline of traditional political and military history in favor of social history approaches, while critiquing current educational standards and policies. Through detailed research and analysis, the text explores potential solutions for strengthening Canadian historical education. The work proposes specific reforms to curriculum standards and teaching methods at both secondary and post-secondary levels. This controversial work sparked significant debate about national identity and how history should be taught in Canada. The book raises fundamental questions about the relationship between historical knowledge and national unity in multicultural societies.

Readers praise Granatstein's clear analysis of how Canadian history education has declined and his specific examples of historical knowledge gaps among students and the public. Many reviewers agree with his criticism of social history's dominance over political/military topics. Common criticisms include Granatstein's dismissive tone toward social history and what some call an "old-fashioned" view prioritizing political/military narratives. Several readers note the book feels dated (published 1998) and want updated statistics/examples. From reader reviews: "Makes valid points about fragmented curriculum but unnecessarily hostile to social history" - Goodreads reviewer "Convinced me we need better history education but too focused on traditional approaches" - Amazon.ca review Ratings: Goodreads: 3.5/5 (43 ratings) Amazon.ca: 4/5 (12 ratings) LibraryThing: 3.7/5 (8 ratings) The book remains controversial among readers, with history teachers and academics particularly divided on Granatstein's recommendations.

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🔖 Originally published in 1998, the book sparked intense debate within Canadian academic circles and led to significant discussions about curriculum reform 📚 Granatstein served as the director of the Canadian War Museum from 1998 to 2000, bringing practical experience to his arguments about the importance of military history 🎓 The book was influenced by a 1997 Dominion Institute survey that showed only 54% of Canadians could name Canada's first Prime Minister, Sir John A. Macdonald 📝 Each chapter opens with a real-life example of historical ignorance among Canadian students or the general public, effectively illustrating the author's concerns 🗺️ The book's publication coincided with a period of significant changes in Canadian education, including the elimination of mandatory history courses in several provinces