Once again, as he has done for more than 25 years, Colombo has put
together a classic. In contrast, Bartlett is scanty. Colombo
presents us with quotations, then he explains how and when it was
used and sometimes the reaction. Only a Canadian could be so
painstakingly thorough, leaving nothing to chance or
misinterpretation. It's a marvelous Canadian feature, one the rest
of the world should adopt. Granted, any book that includes Orillia,
Stephen Leacock, Peter Newman and Richard Needham has got to be
good. In addition, Colombo offers about 6,000 other quotations --
and at least 600 reliable standbys. One of the beauties of this
book is its inclusion of quotations about Canada by outsiders, plus
the usual noteworthy things said by Canadians. It's an invaluable
source of the best of ideas.
"A nation without glory is like a man without courage," Colombo
quotes Gen. Garnet Wolsey as saying in 1903. Well, allow me to add,
"A home without a Colombo book is as bare as a Canadian without a
maple leaf."
Colombo has compiled another masterpiece. Thank you. I've used his
earlier books for 25 years, and hope to use this one for another 25
years. He is proud of Canada, and we Canadians should be proud of
him and this book. 'Nuff said!