Amazing Virginia Canals; A Virginia Canals and Navigations Society River Atlas Project. Published January 2020, $35.00 (plus tax and shipping) , hardcover, 70 pages in large format. Available through the Virginia Canals and Navigations Society online store at www.vacanals.org
Bill Trout’s canal biography is long and active. He is a American Canal Society founder and past president. He is a founder and president of the Virginia Canals and Navigations Society. He even lives in the Virginia Canal Museum! (his house). A check of the ACS archives shows dozens of articles authored by Bill. In addition, Bill has authored a great variety of books about the history of Virginia’s canals and inland navigations. He has hinted that this is his last book.
This work is not the typical “history of the canals” book. It doesn’t start with the state governor shoveling the first bit of soil, and end with the canal being closed forever. Instead, Bill introduces the rivers and canals of Virginia by way of historical episodes that took place along the waterways. The table of contents lists the events and a corresponding map helps to pinpoint where it took place in the state. Then each event is given a full two-page spread. On the left side/page, Bill gives a short history and important details. For some sites, Bill presents a map or sketch to help explain the site. Even with the limits of space on one page, there are plenty of details to satisfy the canal enthusiast. And when needed, there are references to help you do some follow up. On the right hand page there are some very nice paintings or drawings to help you visualize the scene. One of the artists calls this artwork a historical illustrations. The reason for this term is that the artists have studied the event, and then using their knowledge, they create what they feel is a representation of what was happening at that moment. Most of the artwork is by Art Markel (1926-2007) and William Hoffman (b:1941), both of who were active members of the VC&NS, and they knew their subjects well. The paintings were well photographed and are presented in vibrant color.
The VC&NS also sent along a copy of; The Dismal Swamp Nobody Knows: The Immortal Dismalites, the capture of the Arrow, and other historical events brought to life for the first time. William Hoffman and William Trout, III. Published 2016, $10.00 (plus tax and shipping), softcover. Also available through the website.
This book follows the same format as the Amazing Virginia Canals. A series of events are presented, each with background facts and references, and then a full page illustration. However, all these events take place in the Great Dismal Swamp, and all the artwork is by William (Sarge) Hoffman. Sarge is the artist who coined the term historical illustrations, and notes that he enjoys being the first to try to depict a event or place never seen before. Although not strictly a canal book, there are plenty of Dismal Swamp Canal facts. However, as the author notes, the goal of the book is to raise awareness of the Great Dismal Swamp, its history, and the many recreational opportunities available there.
Book these books are enjoyable to read and a pleasure to look through. And it you are not familiar with the canals and navigations, or swamps, of Virginia, these will serve as great introductions to the subject.