<em>Death in the Peaceable Kingdom</em> is an intelligent, innovative response to longstanding perceptions of Canadian history as dry, boring, and uninspiring. Using the &quot;hooks&quot; of murder, execution, assassination, and suicide to capture interest, Dimitry Anastakis introduces readers to the full scope of post-Confederation Canadian history.<p></p><p>Beginning with the assassination of Thomas D'Arcy McGee, Anastakis highlights famous deaths such as those of Louis Riel, Tom Thomson, and Pierre Laporte. He also introduces lesser known events such as the execution of Pte. Harold Carter in 1917 in order to discuss Canada's role in WWI and the suicide of Herbert Norman in Cairo in order to discuss Canada and the Cold War. To complement each chapter, the book includes short vignettes – &quot;Murderous Moments&quot; and &quot;Tragic Tales&quot; – that point to broader themes and issues.</p>