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Julie H. Ferguson
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Through a Canadian Periscope: The Story of the Canadian Submarine Service Hardcover – October 1, 1995

4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 46 ratings
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Ferguson, Julie H.
Previous page
  1. Print length
    364 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Dundurn Group
  4. Publication date
    October 1, 1995
  5. Dimensions
    6.2 x 1.2 x 8.9 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1550022172
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1550022179
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From the Author

Julie H. Ferguson has been studying and writing about the Canadian Submarine Service since 1984. Her intense interest began in 1979 when, as a naval reserve officer, she visited HMCS Okanagan and her crew. Since then she has written many articles and another book on the subject, enjoyed addressing naval audiences and military history buffs, and has appeared on national radio as a commentator.For more information and links about the book, Julie invites you to visit beaconlit.com/cdnsubs.html

About the Author

For the author's full bio, please visit beaconlit.com/Aboutauthor.html.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Dundurn Group (October 1, 1995)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 364 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1550022172
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1550022179
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.38 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.2 x 1.2 x 8.9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 46 ratings

About the author

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Julie H. Ferguson

Julie H. Ferguson

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A writer since 1971, Julie H. Ferguson is the author of four books on Canadian history (Through a Canadian Periscope: 1st ed. Dundurn 1995, 2nd ed. Dundurn March 2014 to celebrate the centenary; Deeply Canadian: New Submarines for a New Millennium - 1st ed. Beacon Publishing 2000, 2nd ed. Beacon Publishing 2014; Sing a New Song: Portraits of Canada's Crusading Bishops - Dundurn 2006). Her first young adult biography-adventure story, James Douglas: Father of British Columbia, is also from Dundurn 2009.

Julie has also published six books for writers and teachers. Book Magic: Turning Writers into Published Authors, her bestseller in this series, is available in the 3rd edition on Kindle, and so were Crafting Irresistible Query Letters and Writing with Power.

As a serious photographer, she has published thirty-six portfolios, many of which are about travel, using Blurb.com. Her many articles have appeared in national and international magazines, as well as online. Since 2009 she has focused on the travel market writing articles and providing her own images and videos.

Julie owns and operates Beacon Literary Services, from which she is semi-retired. It focused on offering products and services for writers seeking traditional or self-publication. Until 2017, she was also a sought-after professional speaker for writers' conferences and facilitated the well-respected writers' group in Port Moody. Now she does the same in Penticton.

Julie is also a passionate golfer, an addicted traveler, a curious foodie, and a proud Gramma. A lover of life!

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
46 global ratings
Oy vey! That's no submarine!
1 Star
Oy vey! That's no submarine!
Quite a shock to my father in law when he opened this Hebrew book for Christmas instead of the submarine book he was supposed to get. OY VEY!Obviously can't rate the product itself.
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Top reviews from the United States

David J. Wallace
5.0 out of 5 stars Unknown and Unseen
Reviewed in the United States on April 12, 2014
Verified Purchase
Living in the US adjacent to Canada it's amazing what we don't know about our northern neighbor. I got this book out of curiosity and couldn't put it down.

This traces the Canadian Submarine Service from the early days of WWI to today. The intrigue was provided by a province, not the country buying their first submarine almost out of the trunk of a car--then they had to slip it out of the US and into Canada. If that wasn't enough, they had to fight the British as well as the Canadian governments to exist.

While the Canadian force was never a large one, it was capable and provided excellent service when required. This was a nice filling of a hole in understanding the Canadian military.
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Phil Seifert
3.0 out of 5 stars It Is What It Is
Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2021
Verified Purchase
When I saw this book, my first thoughts were, I need to get this and read it, I never knew Canada had submarines, let alone for 100 years. After reading, Canada did have subs for over 100 years, but you’d never know it as their roles were minuscule compared to other navies. The book was very well researched by the author, whom I’m sure loves her country and has a lot of pride in her navy/sub service.
The first 2 boats were bought from the US Electric boat company literally days before WWI started, for use on the west coast in British Columbia as protection against German cruisers. Think on that for a minute and let it sink in. After realizing the threat was not warranted, the boats sailed to Halifax, the journey almost doing them in. For the balance of the war, these 2 boats plus 2 more were used in ASW training. No more were attained after the war, and Canada had no subs when WWII broke out. Canada after the war leased boats from other countries, including 2 old WWII US subs with Guppy conversions in the ‘60s from the US reserve fleet. Canada finally bought 3 O boats from Great Britain, almost 50 years after their WWI boats were done in. Canadians did serve in both world wars, some even were captains of subs, but did so in British boats.
The author does a good job describing the initial acquisition of the 2 boats in 1914; the Canadians who served in British subs in the wars and their careers; and a great job in the British Perisher course for boat captains. A big piece of the book however describes not battles of subs vs. convoys or destroyers, but political battles in the navy and between the navy and government on funding, which boats to buy or lease, and how many. The quest for nuclear boats died, Canada’s current Victoria class is still diesel/electric (3 Boats active and one under repairs).
If you are Canadian, this would be a very good book to learn from, or to anyone who just wants to be informed of our neighbor to the north. Unfortunately, the battles described are for the sub services survival, over keeping boats in the fleet at all, and how many, for what cost.
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K.Schneider
5.0 out of 5 stars Canadian Submarine Service.
Reviewed in the United States on September 15, 2014
Verified Purchase
There is little I can add form the other reviews written here. I purchase the 2nd edition and found it very hard to put down. I read it form cover to cover in a short time and found it to be one of the best written books I have ever read. I wonder if all the information the author left out in the 1st and 2nd editions could be made into a second volume.

The author research is outstanding ever lititle tid-bit of information is uncovered and excellent woven inot an outstanding book about a little known subject.

Excellent
One person found this helpful
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G. Or J. Horn added
5.0 out of 5 stars Well researched book about the Canadian Submarine service.
Reviewed in the United States on March 9, 2017
Verified Purchase
Arrived in excellent condition. Good seller. Interesting, if not compelling read. I like submarine stories. This is one better suited for someone especially interested in the Canadian experience with submarines.
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars A Very Well Written History of Canada's Submarine Service
Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2014
Through a Canadian Periscope by Julie H. Ferguson manages to accomplish what I thought was the impossible. Attempting to document the history of Canada’s submarine service from its early 1914 beginnings to the present time within the confines of a single volume, in my mind, would have resulted in a hodgepodge of information that would prove useless to anyone with more than a passing interest in submarines. I can happily report that I was completely wrong.

Not only does the author manage to give us a detailed history of every boat from CC-1 to the current Victoria class, but she also includes a generous helping of anecdotes throughout the book’s pages. Ferguson has clearly spent many, many long hours researching this work and, I suspect, shared more than a few mugs of beer while listening to the submariners whose stories are intertwined within its pages. From history to sea stories – this book has it all.

Admittedly, I often saw ads for Through a Canadian Periscope on-line, and kept thinking that I really should order this book someday, but I kept procrastinating. I don’t know why, but that did work out in my favour as now I have the recently released Second Edition which brings us up to date with the goings on of the Victoria class boats. This edition’s timing is perfect as it appears that all four of Canada’s submarines will soon be ready for active service, in spite of what the nay-sayers (most of whom have no idea what they’re talking about) have been preaching for years.

If you enjoy naval history, you will want to read this book. If you are a submariner or just someone fascinated by the ‘secret service’ you need to read this book. Then, you will want to consider Ferguson’s next book, Deeply Canadian: New Submarines for a New Millennium, to learn even more about the Victoria class SSK’s and why Canada must ensure that it always possesses a viable submarine capability.

[...]
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Top reviews from other countries

Daniel L Little
5.0 out of 5 stars A Very Well Written History of Canada's Submarine Service
Reviewed in Canada on April 25, 2014
Verified Purchase
Through a Canadian Periscope, by Julie H. Ferguson manages to accomplish what I thought was the impossible. Attempting to document the history of Canada’s submarine service from its early 1914 beginnings to the present time within the confines of a single volume, in my mind, would have resulted in a hodgepodge of information that would prove useless to anyone with more than a passing interest in submarines. I can happily report that I was completely wrong.

Not only does the author manage to give us a detailed history of every boat from CC-1 to the current Victoria class, but she also includes a generous helping of anecdotes throughout the book’s pages. Ferguson has clearly spent many, many long hours researching this work and, I suspect, shared more than a few mugs of beer while listening to the submariners whose stories are intertwined within its pages. From history to sea stories – this book has it all.

Admittedly, I often saw ads for Through a Canadian Periscope on-line, and kept thinking that I really should order this book someday, but I kept procrastinating. I don’t know why, but that did work out in my favour as now I have the recently released Second Edition which brings us up to date with the goings on of the Victoria class boats. This edition’s timing is perfect as it appears that all four of Canada’s submarines will soon be ready for active service, in spite of what the nay-sayers (most of whom have no idea what they’re talking about) have been preaching for years.

If you enjoy naval history, you will want to read this book. If you are a submariner or just someone fascinated by the ‘secret service’ you need to read this book. Then, you will want to consider Ferguson’s next book, Deeply Canadian: New Submarines for a New Millennium, to learn even more about the Victoria class SSK’s and why Canada must ensure that it always possesses a viable submarine capability.

[...]
One person found this helpful
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Phillip Rody
4.0 out of 5 stars Well Done
Reviewed in Canada on June 29, 2015
Verified Purchase
An interesting view of the Canadian Submarine Service. The years prior to my service gave an awesome history. My years of service brought back many fond memories. Well done.
One person found this helpful
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PapaStove
5.0 out of 5 stars Really enjoyable read about canadas history of the submarine service
Reviewed in Canada on October 3, 2017
Verified Purchase
Excellent read if your interested inthe Canadian Submarine Service and the Canadian Navy. It made me feel proud to have served in thr Naval Reserve. I was also very lucky to have a first person tour of H.M.C.S. OJIBWAY. When i was in Halifax in the 1980's
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Well researched and extremely informative
Reviewed in Canada on September 16, 2016
Verified Purchase
I found this book to be well-researched and extremely informative. It is a sad statement that our submarine force has been so beset by political disinterest and policy reversals over its entire lifetime.
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Bob Reid
4.0 out of 5 stars good reading
Reviewed in Canada on May 28, 2014
Verified Purchase
tthis book covered the history of subs in the RCN and provided a lot of info I did not know.
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