“Michael Ondaatje would enjoy this beautiful history of Toronto’s Don valley: it explores a place he drew on for his own work and it shares his novels’ intensity of imagery.”
Gideon Forman, This Magazine (March/April 2015)
‘Jennifer Bonnell explains in her interesting and well-researched study, there is much more to the story of Toronto’s river… The Don offers a path through the city’s environmental history, while hinting at how the city might finally come to terms with its own environment. It is a trip, and advice, worth taking.’
Stephen Bocking, Canadian Historical Review vol 96:03:2015
‘One of Bonnell’s most intriguing innovations is her blending of the social history of the valley with its environmental history… Her analysis and approach to the environmental history of this river valley helps us to see the extent to which humanity is implicated in the history of this space and how that history influences environmental change.’
Sean Kheraj, Journal of Historical Geography vol 30:1-2:2015
‘Reclaiming the Don offers amazingly detailed and highly readable micro-history of a much under-appreciated river…. This book is a compelling read for anyone interested in the history of urban rivers.’
Mark Cioc-Ortega, Histoire sociale / Social History vol 48:97:2015
‘Reclaiming the Don is an excellent book, in which the author brings together a series of narratives to successfully address crucial themes in environmental history.’
Stéphane Castonguay, Environment and History vol 22:02:2016
‘Bonnell’s approach in the book is admirable… This book provides a rich history accessible to broad audience particularly those interested in North American cities and environmental planning.’
Olivia Molden, Environmental History vol 21:02:2016
‘Bonnell seamlessly weaves together narrative sources with visual presentations of imagined futures…..She brings to life the visions that have radically altered the city and its environment.’
Travis Cook, H-Environment, H-Net February 2016
‘Reclaiming the Don is an enticing study of Toronto’s Don Valley… Bonnell places the valley at the heart of fascinating debates surrounding urban natures.’
Will Smith, British Journal of Canadian Studies vol 29:01:2016
‘Jennifer Bonnell’s Reclaiming the Don is a captivating history of a tiny river valley’s intimate connection to the development of Toronto… The Broad scope of time and diverse themes that Bonnell considers will offer an excellent teaching resource for undergraduate courses.’
Jason Hall, Canadian Journal of History vol 50:03:2016
"Currently, 90% of the Don River Valley has been developed for residential, commercial, or industrial uses, with much of the valley bottom protected as parkland. Restoration initiatives cannot alter the impacts of urbanization on a waterway; however, the author presents small recoveries as emblems of hope. Recommended for high school students studying ecology, history, or geography."
Green Teacher
“Written in clear and elegant prose, Reclaiming the Don is thoroughly researched and brilliantly conceived. Bonnell moves beyond a riverine focus to encompass the valley as a whole and explores links between land use issues and riverine change in an effective, even startling way.”
Matthew Evenden, Department of Geography, University of British Columbia
“Jennifer Bonnell's Reclaiming the Don shows how this unruly valley, but paradoxical sliver of paradise, has been geographically and culturally central to the history of Toronto. In these pages nature and the city become tangled up together as Toronto and the Don define one another across two centuries.”
H.V. Nelles, Department of History, McMaster University
“In this winding exploration of the Don’s history, Bonnell has provided a lively narrative that restores to the valley its place, literal and metaphorical, in the history of Canada’s leading city.”
Arn Keeling, Department of Geography, Memorial University
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