Despite abundant hardships, pioneer life in Upper Canada was romantic and colourful, and Mr. Guillet brings vividly to life the early settlers and their experiences. He draws on contemporary letters, diaries, newspapers, and periodicals, supplementing these researches with interviews with persons who had personal contacts with early life in the province.

This volume contains the chapters from Mr. Guillet's large volume, Early Life in Upper Canada, which describes the pioneer home, foods and cooking, milling, lumbering, maple sugar making, fishing, "bees", amusements in town and country, and pioneer sports. It is abundantly illustrated with authentic portraits, photographs, and drawings.