John Robert Colombo Books

The Franklin Conspiracy is an absorbing account of the single most enigmatic event in Canadian history. In 1845, two British Royal Navy ships, the Erebus and the Terror, commanded by Sir John Franklin, entered the Canadian Arctic in search of the Northwest Passage. Neither ship returned. A fifteen-year search uncovered evidence of unparalleled disaster, but to this day no one knows exactly how the 129 men of the Franklin Expedition met their deaths.Although the expedition did not run out of food, there is clear evidence of cannibalism. The ships carried two hundred message cylinders with them, yet failed to leave records. Stranger still, an earlier explorer, Thomas Simpson, was reputedly murdered for the "secret of the Northwest Passage." What was this "secret"?The Franklin Conspiracy is an exhaustively researched, compellingly reasoned answer to that question. The result is a shocking saga of conspiracy, cover-up, and unbelievable secrets.

John Robert Colombo, a prolific Toronto writer, editor, and anthologist, has extensively explored Canadiana, delving into the lore, literature, history, culture, and character of Canada. His insatiable curiosity allows him to uncover national and international connections to various subjects. His latest work is the culmination of over fifty years of research, reading, and reflection. Previously, he published a trilogy of question-and-answer books, including 1,000 Questions about Canada and its sequels, which were well-received. This new book adopts a similar format, featuring concise questions paired with in-depth answers. It covers the Canadian past, present, and future, organized under four categories: People, Places, Things, and Ideas, with a detailed index for easy reference. While it serves as a popular reference work, the book is designed to provoke inquiry and surprise among readers who may know a bit about Canada but not as much as the author. Readers are invited to engage with Colombo's insights and challenge their own knowledge of this fascinating country.