Hayes, Derek 1947-

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HAYES, Derek 1947-

PERSONAL: Born 1947.

ADDRESSES: Agent—c/o Author Mail, Douglas & McIntyre Publishing Group, Ste. 201, 2323 Quebec St., Vancouver, British Columbia V5T 4S7, Canada.

CAREER: Historian and writer.

WRITINGS:

Historical Atlas of British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest: Maps of Exploration: British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, Alaska, Yukon, Cavendish Books (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada), 1999, published as Historical Atlas of the Pacific Northwest: Maps of Exploration and Discovery: British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, Alaska, Yukon, Sasquatch Books (Seattle, WA), 1999.

First Crossing: Alexander Mackenzie, His Expedition across North America, and the Opening of the Continent, Sasquatch Books (Seattle, WA), 2001.

Historical Atlas of the North Pacific Ocean: Maps of Discovery and Scientific Exploration, 1500–2000, Sasquatch Books (Seattle, WA), 2001.

Historical Atlas of Canada: Canada's History Illustrated with Original Maps, University of Washington Press (Seattle, WA), 2002.

Historical Atlas of the Arctic, Douglas & McIntyre (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada), 2003.

Canada: An Illustrated History, Douglas & McIntyre (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada), 2004.

America Discovered: A Historical Atlas of North American Exploration, Douglas & McIntyre (Berkeley, CA), 2005.

Historical Atlas of Vancouver and Lower Fraser Valley, Douglas & McIntyre (Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada), 2005.

SIDELIGHTS: Historian Derek Hayes is a map collector and researcher who is best known for his historical atlases focusing on North America. These histories of specific regions feature maps, charts, and other illustrations. For example, in Historical Atlas of the Pacific Northwest: Maps of Exploration and Discovery: British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, Alaska, Yukon, the author presents 325 maps of the region along with text discussing how the region came to be accurately mapped and the mistakes made along the way. Hayes also writes about the early exploration of the area and the intense competition among explorers from Spain, Russia, the United States, and Great Britain. Writing in Mercator's World, Bill Warren called the effort "a well-researched book, very readable." Library Journal contributor Edward K. Werner noted that "this fascinating study is highly recommended."

First Crossing: Alexander Mackenzie, His Expedition across North America, and the Opening of the Conti-nent delves into the Scottish-born explorer's groundbreaking explorations in North America. In 1789, the explorer made a trip from what is now known as the Mackenzie River to the Arctic Ocean. In 1793, he made another expedition by boat and on land to the Pacific Ocean. Much of the history is based on MacKenzie's own journals. MacKenzie, who also published a best-selling account of his explorations in his own day, is among the best-known Canadian explorers and heroes. Barry Gough, writing in Beaver: Exploring Canada's History, commented that the book's "great value is that it draws together and assembles many, if not all, prominent illustrations about Mackenzie's voyages." Oregon Historical Quarterly contributor E.W. Gresche referred to the book as "a visually stimulating companion to more evaluative works on Mackenzie," while Booklist contributor George Cohen called the effort "a vivid portrait of an intrepid adventurer."

Historical Atlas of the North Pacific Ocean: Maps of Discovery and Scientific Exploration, 1500–2000 follows five centuries of exploration and mapping of the northernmost Pacific and includes numerous maps and other illustrations. In a review for the Oregon Historical Quarterly, James R. Gibson called the book "beautifully illustrated … thoroughly researched, readably written in a large, dark typeface, enlivened with apt quotations, fully referenced, and reasonably priced."

In the Historical Atlas of Canada: Canada's History Illustrated with Original Maps Hayes tells the history of Canada's expansion through historical maps tracing the growing knowledge of the country's geography. A Maclean's contributor found that "the book presents history through the eyes of explorers—an enticing way to see the country." Commenting on the book's illustrations, Kara L. Giles, writing in Library Journal, noted that "the many gems include what may be the earliest surviving map (dated 1541) to use the name Canada and native maps" from various Indian tribes. Richard Ruggles, writing in Beaver, believed that "the number of maps and Hayes's excellent choices are the most exceptional features of this publication."

In Historical Atlas of the Arctic, Hayes includes more than 300 illustrations to help tell the region's story beginning with the mythical beliefs about the formation of the lands and sea and including up-to-date geographical knowledge of the area. In the book, Hayes delves into centuries of arctic exploration and tells the stories of the men who explored this wild and unforgiving region of the globe, including a look at the race to reach the Pole. Writing on the Society for the History of Discoveries Web site, H.G. Jones noted that "the atlas patiently knits into one fabric the unfolding story in the shaping of Arctic lands and seas." Jones also believed that "the book's educational value lies in the evolution of geographical knowledge, but the text also provides genuine pleasure." In a review for Beaver, a contributor called the book "a delight for armchair travellers who would rather not venture into the cold."

America Discovered: A Historical Atlas of North American Exploration includes 280 maps, many of them drawn by the earliest settlers of the region, from homesteaders to missionaries to traders. Writing in MBR Bookwatch, Harold McFarland noted: "These are high quality copies of the original maps and a treasure to anyone interested in history." Library Journal contributor Edward K. Werner wrote: "As always, Hayes has chosen maps that fascinate the intellect as well as please the eye."

Hart turns his attention to the complete history of Canada beginning with its aboriginal inhabitants in Canada: An Illustrated History. In addition to thirty-five maps, the book contains 200 photographs and fifty paintings. Writing in Beaver, a reviewer commended Hayes for including discussions of the "less usual" aspects of the country's history, in this case such things as "the bicycle craze, canal building, the twice-collapsed Quebec Bridge, and the evolution of capital punishment."

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

American Review of Canadian Studies, autumn, 2003, Andrew M. Schocket, review of Historical Atlas of Canada: Canada's History Illustrated with Original Maps, p. 429; summer, 2004, Donn K. Haglund, review of Historical Atlas of the Arctic, p. 367.

Beaver: Exploring Canada's History, June-July, 2002, Barry Gough, review of First Crossing: Alexander Mackenzie, His Expedition across North America, and the Opening of the Continent, p. 48; June-July, 2003, review of Historical Atlas of Canada, p. 45; February-March, 2004, review of Historical Atlas of the Arctic, p. 47; February-March, 2005, review of Canada: An Illustrated History, p. 49.

Booklist, September 1, 2001, George Cohen, review of First Crossing, p. 45; June 1, 2003, Michelle Hendley, review of Historical Atlas of Canada, p. 1818; November 15, 2003, Gilbert Taylor, review of Historical Atlas of the Arctic, p. 568.

Library Journal, October 1, 1999, Edward K. Werner, review of Historical Atlas of the Pacific Northwest: Maps of Exploration and Discovery: British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, Alaska, Yukon, p. 80; October 15, 2001, Ravi Shenoy, review of First Crossing, p. 99; January, 2003, Kara L. Giles, review of Historical Atlas of Canada, p. 90; November 1, 2003, Edward K. Werner, review of Historical Atlas of the Arctic, p. 70; January 1, 2005, Edward K. Werner, review of America Discovered: A Historical Atlas of North American Exploration, 154.

Maclean's, September 9, 2002, review of Historical Atlas of Canada, p. 74.

MBR Bookwatch, January, 2005, Harold McFarland, review of America Discovered.

Mercator's World, March, 2000, Bill Warren, review of Historical Atlas of the Pacific Northwest, p. 54.

Oregon Historical Quarterly, winter, 2001, James R. Gibson, review of Historical Atlas of the North Pacific Ocean: Maps of Discovery and Scientific Exploration, 1500–2000, p. 539; winter, 2002, E.W. Gresche, review of of First Crossing, p. 556.