Mark Zuehlke

Victoria (British Columbia)

The 2014 Pierre Berton Award honours the work of Mark Zuehlke, one of Canada’s prolific historical writers. He is one of the country’s pre-eminent military historians and has written more than fifteen books on our military legacy.

Mark worked as a newspaper reporter in British Columbia before switching careers a quarter of a century ago. Since then, he has helped make Canadians much more aware of the contribution of our veterans to the country we have today. His writing is clear, concise and engaging, and puts the reader on the front lines with the troops. His work has inspired students and adults to learn more about our military history. He has made tours of battlefields much more engaging by giving participants a much higher awareness of what happened there many years ago.

His Canadian Battle Series is an ongoing series of books about the major campaigns and battles fought by the Canadian army in the Second World War. As a whole, the series tells the definitive story of the work of Canadians in the war. As a generation of veterans fades away, the importance of Mark’s contribution will only increase. His Military Heritage Series covers the War of 1812, Canada’s involvement in the Spanish Civil War in the 1930s, and the Canadian Scottish battalion in the First World War. It also includes the magnificent Canadian Military Atlas, which Zuehlke co-authored with C. Stuart Daniel.

Mark is also known for his public speaking. He has addressed tours, conferences, museums, libraries, and other institutions and groups. He is also an award-winning novelist. His Elias McCann series features a reluctant coroner, a setting in Tofino on the west coast of Vancouver Island, a loveable aging Brittany Spaniel, unusual murders, and romance. In his spare time, Mark writes graphic novels.

In granting the 2014 Governor General’s History Award for Popular Media: the Pierre Berton Award, Canada’s National History Society recognizes his extraordinary work in ensuring that our military heritage is not forgotten. He has given all of us a greater understanding of vital aspects of Canadian history.