It took Joey Smallwood three volumes and some 200 writers to tell Newfoundland's story, and “you could lose Newfoundland in northern Ontario.”

That's why Michael Barnes called his latest piece an “introduction” to the north — telling the entire region's story in one book would be “a bold enterprise,” even for an author with 50-some books under his belt.

Barnes said his most recent book was written to help others realize just what it means to live in and experience northern Ontario.

“Those who live in northern Ontario have a strong sense of identity and this is reinforced by the fact that the region is economically, geographically and socially vastly different by the southern part of the province,” he stated.

The region's history, as well as its industries like mining, forestry, farming, energy and populations are explored throughout the book's 184 pages. The people who inhabit the region, and the geography itself, are also touched upon throughout the pages of Northern Ontario: Introducing the Unknown Country.

“It's such a big piece of real estate,” Barnes said.

While the book does offer some insight for tourists, Barnes said he was confident it would be a resource for years to come. Many of his previous writings have landed on library shelves — he feels Northern Ontario: Introducing the Unknown Country, will be quite similar.

“I write for the average person,” he said.

Barnes first came to Sudbury in 1956 — it was the first place he landed after immigrating to Canada from England. When he arrived, he said the city was “a rough and tumble town” that has since become a great place to live.

He has spent the years since then living and teaching in the north. Barnes' writing career has also seen him grace the pages of the Globe and Mail and the airways of CBC. He has also researched and consulted for TVO, the History Channel and Sony Tristar.

On Feb. 16, Barnes will be in Sudbury to launch his most recent piece of work. The community is invited to the ParkSide Older Adult Centre at 1 p.m. to learn more from the author himself.

For more information, visit barnes4books.com.

Posted by Arron Pickard