Red Lights on the Prairies - Softcover

James H. Gray

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0451054946 ISBN 13: 9780451054944

Publisher: Signet, 1973

Synopsis

Gray's unconventional social history, Red Lights on the Prairies, tells how the Canadian West became overrun with brothels when huge numbers of immigrants, mostly unattached young men in the prime of life, swept into this region as settlers. This book looks on the prairie cities and towns that were home to the bars, brothels and poolrooms and also describes the work of the police, clergy and moral reformers who were at times outraged by the behaviour in the brothels. James Gray draws from local newspapers, from several former madams, and the story telling of old-timers who had been youths at the turn of the century. This is a vivid and authentic look at a colourful and offbeat aspect of our past.

About this title

About the Author

James Gray, one of western Canada's finest social historians, was born in Whitemouth, Manitoba, in 1906. We worked for the Winnipeg Free Press for many years and went on to edit several other publications. In 1947, he relocated to Calgary, where he worked with the Home Oil Company for twenty years before retiring to embark on a new career as a historian. He passed away on 12 November 1998 in Calgary at the age of ninety-two.
During his life, Gray received numerous awards, including the Alberta Order of Excellence (1987), the Order of Canada (1988), and the Pierre Berton Award for "distinguished achievement in popularizing Canadian history" (1995). Gray also penned a rich legacy of award-winning and best selling books, including The Boy from Winnipeg, Men Against the Desert, The Winter Years, Booze, and Red Lights on the Prairies.

Edition details

• Publisher: Signet
• Publication date: 1973
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0451054946
• ISBN 13: 9780451054944
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback
• Number of pages: 238