Cadigan (history, Memorial U. of Newfoundland) traces the history of coastal and offshore areas of eastern Canada since the first humans arrived. By way of introduction, he reviews how the land itself and the crucial ocean currents surrounding it came to be. Then he discusses such stages as the first peoples by the sea, the European encounter, the development of a fishing society 1610-1775, a colonial state 1824-55, the twilight of national policy 1897-1908, the land of milk and honey 1946-72, and the limits of neo-nationalism. Annotation ©2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)