A City Out of Time

James R. Siemens is an historian, theologian, and educator who was born in the Grace Hospital and raised in the St James area of Winnipeg. After a childhood spent navigating the 'Wood between the Worlds' near the Saskatchewan Avenue train tracks, he pursued a life of the mind that eventually led him away from the Red River and into the big, wide world. Known in the academic and theological realms as Dr James and Fr Jacob respectively, he somehow manages to remain one person. He has authored numerous works on historical theology, and with this book is glad to have emerged from the mists of the seventh century to think instead about something seemingly less remote. Despite decades of living abroad and travelling the globe, however, he remains-at his core-a 'scrappy' Winnipegger with a lifelong appreciation for Canadian Tire, Hockey Night in Canada, and a properly mixed Slurpee.He currently lives in Cardiff, Wales, where he continues to look for the 'Spirit of the True North' in everything he does.

Doug Smail is a retired NHL winger who played 13 seasons in the league, most notably as a cornerstone of the Winnipeg Jets during the 1980s. Held in high esteem for his speed and character, he holds the NHL record for the fastest ever goal scored after the opening face-off. While he makes his home in Colorado today, he remains a definitive voice in the story of Winnipeg's 'True North' spirit.