Ron Shearer published, Chicanery, Civility and Celebrations: Tales of Early Rossland (Rossland Heritage Commission $24.95) about Rossland's prominent historical figures as well as some of its under-appreciated denizens; and incidents and institutions in the city's early years between 1896-1920. Shearer adds his personal anecdotes to stories such as Rossland's evolution from mining camp to city, the city's push to change B.C. law in order to incorporate, and Rossland's stock exchange, which lasted a mere six weeks. Along with accounts of the shenanigans of the mayors, vice of police officials, blatant politics of journalists and newspaper editors, Shearer tells of the misadventures of educators and entrepreneurs, the father of Canadian skiing, the beginnings of the century-old Winter Carnival, the tragedy of the Spanish Flu, and the mysterious shooting of Rossland's founder, Ross Thompson.

Ron Shearer is professor emeritus of economics at UBC and lives in Vancouver. His previous publications centered on economics and the Canadian monetary system. In retirement, he returned to his hobby -- researching the history of Rossland, where he was raised. His biography of Ross Thompson, the founder of the Rossland townsite, was published in 2016.

Review of the author's work by BC Studies:
Exploiting our Economic Potential
Trade Liberalization and a Regional Economy

BOOKS

Chicanery, Civility and Celebrations: Tales of Early Rossland (Rossland Heritage Commission 2020) $24.95 978-0-2285-0285-2

Ross Thompson: Founding Father of Rossland (Rossland Heritage Commission 2016)

Editor. Exploiting Our Economic Potential: Public Policy and the B.C. Economy (Toronto: Holt, Rinehart & Winston, 1968)

[BCBW 2020]