Peeking Between the Pages

...escape into the pages of a good book

Guest Post & Giveaway with Cathy Marie Buchanan, Author of The Day the Falls Stood Still

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Hi everyone, I’m happy to have Cathy Marie Buchanan, author of The Day the Falls Stood Still here at Peeking Between the Pages today. I have read Cathy’s book and my review will be up tomorrow. I can say that the book for me was fantastic. Please sit back, relax, and enjoy Cathy’s post and pictures with quotes from the novel – it’s really terrific!

1. Niagara Falls “As always, our procession paused at the falls and I looked into the water of the upper river, at the round stones of the riverbed, each large enough to resist being torn from its resting-place and flung over the brink. Clear water hurtled past the stones, then shattered to white as it plunged to the river below. Standing there at the brink of the falls, I asked for a young man to be spared, a young man for me.”

Credit: Library of Congress, 3b15325r

2. Loretto Academy “The stone walls of Loretto Academy are so thick I can sit curled up on a windowsill, arms around the knees tucked beneath my chin. It stands on a bluff not far from the Horseshoe Falls, and because I have been a student long enough to rank a room on the river side, I have only to open a pair of shutters to take in my own private view of the Niagara. Beyond the hedge and gate marking the perimeter of the academy, and the steep descent leading to the wooded shore, I can see the upper river and the falls. Endless water plummets from the brink to the rocks below, like the careless who slip, like the stunters who fail, like the suicidal who leap.”

Credit: Courtesy of Loretto Archives, Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Toronto, Ontario

3. Whirlpool Rapids “When I notice the faint rumble of the Niagara River tumbling through the gorge, I move closer, to the front of our property, and listen to the Whirlpool Rapids far below. I stand with my eyes shut, imagining great waves of surging green crashing and toppling to masses of frothy white. When I open my eyes, the fellow who carried my trunk is passing along River Road, likely returning from his camp at the whirlpool. He tips his cap and I quickly turn away, embarrassed at the thought of myself a moment earlier, listening to the river.”

Credit: Library of Congress, ppmsca 18039

4. Ice Bridge “Jesse and I lean over the limestone wall and peer into the gorge just downriver from the brink of the falls. The landscape below is otherworldly ─ a massive clot of white-blue ice extending from shore to shore, frozen mounds of accumulated spray nearly sixty feet in height, sections of cliff face transformed by stalactites of ice as thick as the trunk of any tree. Yet there are children sledding on the hillocks, adults milling about, a path crossing the ice from shore to shore, also shanties with hand-painted signs advertising beef tea and sandwiches, coffee and cake.”

Credit: George Barker, Library and Archives Canada, PA-056072

5. Queen Victoria Park “At the falls the trees and lampposts and limestone wall are shrouded in a layer of frozen mist. Branches bend under the weight. Brittle ice snaps and clatters to the ground. In biting cold and gusting wind, mist has turned to sleet. It is not at all the scene I had imagined for Tom’s return. Still, he stops in his tracks. He listens. He swallows. His gaze sweeps the gorge, lingers on the spot several hundred feet downriver where the Niagara emerges from beneath the ice bridge.”

Credit: Niagara Falls (Ontario) Public Library

6. The collapse of Table Rock “Town resident Fergus Cole flat out refused to set foot on the rock and had been shooing tourists away for a month. To those who lent an ear, he explained that the rock was set down in layers with a dolostone cap and soft shale beneath. The shale was riddled with water-filled cracks and fissures, always expanding and contracting at nature’s whim. Mr. Cole was adamant the shale was flaking away and on more than one occasion pointed to the talus beneath the overhang as proof. ‘What’s holding up all that dolostone?’ he would say. ‘I’ll tell you what: less today than yesterday.’”

Credit: Niagara Falls (Ontario) Public Library

7. Building Niagara’s Toronto powerhouse “When Tom next spoke he said the Toronto Power Company, the last of the power companies to build on the Canadian side, was the worst of the bunch, that they built their powerhouse right on the riverbed, where the upper river’s wildest rapids used to be. ‘Metal rods were sent down to gauge the river’s depth,’ he said, ‘and when they came up bent, they just dumped rock and more rock, until the river was held back.’”

Credit: Niagara Falls (Ontario) Public Library

8. Scow rescue “From a ways off I see several lines strung from the roof of the Toronto powerhouse to a scow lodged a short ways upriver of the falls. Ten yards from the scow, a man hangs from the lines, the torrent beneath him lashing at his feet. By the time I reach the crowd gathered at the powerhouse, the man has been hauled close enough to the shore for me to know he is not Tom but rather one of the rescued men. Beyond the man the scow is now an empty hull.”

Credit: Niagara Falls (Public) Library

Thanks so much for joining us with this great guest post Cathy. The pictures are just wonderful as is the history behind them—one very good reason to read The Day The Falls Stood Still. (Please note that this post will also be appearing at The Savvy Reader today)
~~~~~~~
GIVEAWAY DETAILS

Courtesy of HarperCollins I have a copy of The Day The Falls Stood Still to share with one lucky reader. What can you do to enter…

  • For 1 entry leave me a comment with a way to contact you.
  • For 2 entries follow my blog. If you do already, let me know. Of course the extra entry is yours as well.
  • For 3 entries blog or tweet this giveaway and spread the word.

This giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents only (no PO boxes). The book will be sent to you directly from the publisher. I will be drawing for the winner on Sunday, September 13, 2009. Good luck to you all!

Due to a family emergency I was not able to post my review today but please be sure to pop by tomorrow as I’ll have my review of this wonderful book up then!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. I've read so many great reviews for this book and look forward to reading your thoughts, Dar!

    meah56 at gmail dot com

    I'm a follower : )

    I blogged in my sidebar about the giveaway.

    I hope things are ok re: family emergency.

  3. I would love to win this book. I husband's family lives in Niagara Falls and I love reading about the history of it. I'm a follower.
    thanks

  4. I am always amazed by Niagara Falls, each time I stand and gaze upon them. These photos remind me why. Sign me up please!

    I'm a follower too!

    melacan at hotmail dot com

  6. There is nothing more fascinating and beautiful on the North American continent as Niagara Falls. It should be on everyone's list of Things to see. I've visited in summertime and also at Thanksgiving time….cold but still beautiful. Someday I'll visit in the wintertime. I would love to see the frozen beauty.

    +2 I am a current follower

    kkhaas AT bellsouth DOT net

  7. Amazing pictures. I've seen the Falls and they are incredible, but it would be so wonderful to have seen them minus all the touristy stuff we have today. I'd love to win this book.
    And I follow through Google Reader

  8. Thanks for featuring this wonderful novel. I enjoyed the photos and the book looks intriguing. I have been to Niagara Falls many times and it is a must for everyone. Amazing and impressive. bencanada1(at)yahoo(dot)com

  9. I have had the priveledge of reading this book. The story lines, the characters and the awe of Niagara Falls are still with me.

  10. I got an advance copy of this book from work,,and it is in my TBR pile,,thanks for the post…heard great reviews of it..

  12. I have the book so there's no need to enter me. I just wanted to say I enjoyed the quotes and the pictures. Great guest post.

  14. looks like a great nearing the end of summer read..thx for the contest..
    thehighflyer3(at)hotmail(dot)com

  15. I love Niagra Falls…have visited this amazing place numerous times. Please count me in.

    karen k
    kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)com

  19. I am so sad this isn't international. Never mind I will have to console myself reading how others enjoy it. Only joking Dar. I do hope everything is OK, you sound like you are going through a rough patch at the moment.

  20. I love the historical photos on this post! I've lived in NY two years now and have been dying to see Niagra Falls. Thanks for the giveaway! I also follow your blog.

    nycbookgirl at gmail dot com

  21. The information on Niagara was fascinating. The falls are one of the most amazing places I have ever visited.

    I am a follower!

    jgbeads(at)gmail(dot)com

  22. No need to enter me, Dar. I'm dropping in to give my usual thanks for the e-mail. All posted at Win a Book for ya.

  23. I love waterfalls, and have been to many. I would like this book.
    I'm a follower
    Jolynn_Reads@yahoo dot com

    I have a dog named Buddy too.
    Border Collie

  24. Wow, awesome book! I love those pictures. Niagara Falls fascinates me because it is so…majestic! Thanks for this really nice giveaway and please count me in.

    chinook92(at)gmail(dot)com

  27. Hello Dar, just wanted to say tthat I look forward to your review tomorrow, mine will post the 31st.
    I also loved the book! Did you cry? (I cried.)

  29. Beautiful pictures! I would love to win this book. I have seen it being displayed and talked about all over the place, and I think it looks like a great read. Please enter me, and thanks for hosting the giveaway!

    zibilee(at)figearo(dot)net

  31. Please enter me to win! I've been hearing good things about this one! j.t.oldfield[AT]gmail.com

    I just tweeted this and I'm following w/ google reader.

  32. The pictures gave me chills. I was just there last week!

    chrisbookarama at gmail dot com

    I'll be subscribing and give a tweet.

  34. I love the way the falls are constantly moving, not just the water but how they carve their way along the Niagra Escarpment.

    -Gordon

  42. Wow. That's a lot of lovely comments. Wish everyone could win.

    No need to enter me.

  44. Wonderful pictures and stories!!!

    Thank you,
    Mitzi

    mitzihinkey at sbcglobal dot net

    I'm a new follower.

  47. Amazing pictures! One of our first vacations when we got married took us from Iowa to Niagra Falls. It was just beautiful from both sides.
    I would love to have a chance to win this book, please count me in.
    Thanks!

    cjay2 (at) iavalley (dot) edu

  48. I read your review a few minutes ago. This sounds like a beautiful book. Thanks for entering me.

  51. Such a gorgeous cover. Loved the pictures. Count me in for this.

    +2 Follower

    Marie
    utah91960(at)yahoo(dot)com

  55. This novel sounds like a must read and is on my TBR list. I am hoping to win a copy.
    knittingmomof3(AT)gmail(DOT)com

  60. Love the pictures. Can't wait to read this book!!!

    mitzihinkey at sbcglobal dot net

    I'm a new follower.

    Thanks for the contest.
    Mitzi.

  64. I already follow your blog on my Google Reader, I hope that counts! Love the pictures included in this post.

    book.splotATgmailDOTcom

  69. I'd love to win this book. One spring in maybe 1978 I walked out to the falls with a friend on a moonlit night and listened and watched gigantic ice chunks go crashing over the falls. It was an awesome experience I'll never forget.

    Anyway, I follow you and and I tweeted (http://twitter.com/BethFishReads/statuses/3643887699) and I'd love to win this book.

    BFish DOT reads AT gmail DOT com

  72. Please enter me. I'm a follower of your blog. I also live in the upstate NY area, so I'm very interested to read about the falls.
    avonleajules (at) gmail (dot) com

  75. You don't have to enter me. Just wanted to say these pictures are beautiful. I love looking at old pictures, and all of these have a story to tell. Excellent post.

  79. I've always wanted to go to Niagara Falls…what an interesting wonder.
    Would love to win the book!
    JHolden955 (at) gmail (dot) com

    Thanks.

  82. Great post! I've always wondered about the history surrounding the Niagara region so the pictures and quotes were a lovely insight. Thanks!

    ennsee72(at)hotmail(dot)com

  83. This looks like a really interesting book. I really enjoyed reading the post. Thanks for the chance to win!
    ruthann (dot) francis (at) gmail (dot) com

  88. I am looking forward to reading this book and am excited to be entered in the giveaway!

    I am a follower.

    emily DOT wittenberg @ gmail DOT com

  90. I love all these old photos with the history. Please enter me in your giveaway.

    budletsmom at yahoo dot com

  92. I just came across your wonderful blog and really enjoying it. Loved the pictures and posts about them.
    I'd love to be entered in your giveaway for this book…I so want to read it. Thank you!

    Blessings,
    Sandee61

    Muzzley56[at]aol[dot]com

  93. This sounds like such an interesting story. Please count me in.

    Thanks so much, Dar!

    gaby317nyc at gmail dot com

    + I'm a loyal follower

  95. These pictures are amazing! I'd love to read this story! Count me in.

    I'm a follower

    Dutchlvr1(at)aol(dot)com

  96. The pictures are beautiful and I would love to read this story. Please enter me in your drawing.

    I am a new follower also.

    bthgordon[at]yahoo]dot]com

  100. This book sounds phenomenal. The pictures are impressive.

    I subscribe via email.

    bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com