Following his fascinating Macmillan Book of Canadian Place Names, history professor William Hamilton has turned his considerable toponymic research skills to his home region. Place Names of Atlantic Canada is an up-to-the-minute reference sure to be treasured by historians, geographers, and trivia buffs.

Hamilton approaches each place name as a window on the history of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland, and Labrador. A concise introductory essay gives a useful overview of the settlement of Atlantic Canada from aboriginal tribes to the present. A separate bibliographic essay provides dozens of the primary and secondary sources used to trace the names of more than 2,000 towns, rivers, mountains, and other features, including new work on major underwater areas such as the Grand Banks.

These entries, organized by province and extensively cross-referenced, represent a tiny portion of the 62,880 Atlantic names officially recognized by the Canadian Permanent Committee on Geographical Names. But readers will find answers to questions about most major population centres, historical sites, and toponymic curiosities.

While some entries simply offer a bare-bones genesis, most include juicy tidbits to whet historical appetites. There are engaging anecdotes from local history and folklore. Popular annual events, natural landmarks, and other tourist attractions are listed. And famous personalities – past and present – from a wide variety of fields lend human interest. As a result, Place Names of Atlantic Canada is more than a useful reference, it’s also an entertaining read.