Explore Canada’s rich history with these essential non-fiction listens

The Great Halifax Explosion is a narrative history of the largest man-made detonation prior to the bombing of Hiroshima. On Monday, December 3, 1917, the United States had recently entered the First World War when the French freighter SS Mont-Blanc set sail from Brooklyn and was struck by a Norwegian relief ship outside of Nova Scotia. The Mont-Blanc, carrying the largest cache of explosives ever loaded onto a ship, created an explosion that killed more than 1,000 people and injured 9,000 more. Through eyewitness accounts and extensive research, bestselling author John U. Bacon paints a vivid picture of the tragedy and its aftermath.

Wayne Ward narrates this fascinating account of the building of the Canadian Pacific Railway. The late 19th century saw the ambitious plan to connect the British colonies of Canada through one railway that would span more than 3,000 kilometers of track from the Atlantic to the Pacific. The Canadian Pacific Railway was no easy feat to construct, as it passed through difficult terrain and would be the longest railway in the world. Its construction would lead to prosperity for many, but it would come at a cost for many others.

In this audiobook, author Jean Teillet guides listeners through the history of the Métis Nation. Beginning in the late 18th century in the Canadian North-West, this is the story of how the Métis declared themselves a nation, gained fame for their military skills, prospered through their nomadic way of life and shaped Canadian history through their acts of resistance.

Ken Dryden's The Game is considered by many to be among the greatest histories written about hockey. Narrated by the author himself, this audiobook is a comprehensive look at the story behind the game. It also includes Dryden's thought-provoking personal reflections on life in a hockey rink and behind-the-scenes perspectives on Canada's most popular sport.

The Day the World Came to Town is a look at many personal stories of 9/11, one of the most devastating days in modern history. After the US airspace was closed on September 11, 2001, 38 jetliners were redirected to Gander International Airport in Newfoundland. Passengers grounded in Gander caused the area's population to nearly double, swelling from 10,300 to around 17,000. Gander citizens welcomed them into their town with a feast, helping to shelter the passengers and keep them in touch with the outside world. Ray Porter narrates this heartwarming account of people coming together during our darkest times.

What does it mean to be an "Indian" in North America? As Thomas King explores in this listen, it's an identity with a history of pain and displacement, but also of light and magic. In this audiobook, Lorne Cardinal narrates King's critical, deeply personal view of the history of Indigenous people in North America over the past several centuries.

Juno Beach sheds light on a major moment in both Canadian and global history. This audiobook, brilliantly narrated by Steve Kehela, pulls from personal diaries, military records and considerable research to tell the story of Canada's contribution to D-Day, June 6, 1944, when 14,500 Canadians participated in one of the most critical battles of World War II.

Written and narrated by comedian Mike Myers, Canada is a heartfelt look at the actor's personal history and Canadian identity. Part memoir and part history, this book explores Myers's true love for his native country, underscoring why he loves being a Canadian, even as an expatriate. Canada is, of course, funny, but its unique perspective on the country's history is also surprisingly thought-provoking.

Since rumours of buried treasure exploded in 1795, treasure hunters have been enthralled by the secrets of Oak Island and the theories of what is hidden there. Randall Sullivan's The Curse of Oak Island is a stunning look at the people who have been wrapped up in the island's mysteries – including Franklin Delano Roosevelt and film star Errol Flynn – and the strange things that have been discovered there.

During the Prohibition era, Italian Rocco Perri immigrated to Canada and went on to run both a prominent bootlegging operation and one of Canada's most influential crime syndicates. Perri became infamous for his connections to illicit activities, including alcohol, prostitution, drugs and gambling. But the crime boss caught the attention of one person in particular. Frank Zaneth, also an immigrant from Italy, was an undercover investigator for the RCMP who was determined to track Perri down. Richard Davidson narrates this captivating true story of a notorious Canadian crime figure and the man who relentlessly pursued him.