By Doug Draper
Posted October 5th, 2016 on Niagara At Large
Few jounalists I know have captured the power, the drama the beauty and theatrics in and around one of the world’s most scenic wonders – the Great Falls of Niagara – with as much passion and insight as Michael Clarkson.
Award winning journalist and author Michael Clarkson launching new bood on ‘The Age of Daredevils’
So it makes all the sense in the world that Michael Clarkson has written a book on the many daredevils that have tempted fate in the roaring waters of the Falls.
In the spirit of full disclosure, Michael and I were colleagues at The St. Catharines Standard in the 1980s and 1990s when the Burgoyne family still owned that newspaper and were generous enough to provide a newsroom full of journalists the resources needed to produce quality work.
During that time, I was writing about the toxic chemicals washing down the Niagara River and the Horseshoe and American Falls, and Michael was covering the cast of characters plunging over the Falls in barrels and other makeshift contraptions, and reporting the first-hand accounts of those who survived, along with insightful accounts of what motivated them to do something that claimed so many lives.
Michael’s writing in that area and others won him more awards than I ever received during those golden years at the newspaper, so I am sure his new book – The Age of Daredevils – which you can join him in celebrating the launch of at Chapters bookstore at the Fairview Mall off Geneva Street and the QEW in St. Catharines this coming Sunday, October 14th, will be a great read.
Here is the poster for the book launch. Hope to see you there!
so com and …..
To read a recent review of Michael Clarkson’s book click on – http://www.publishersweekly.com/978-1-5039-3542-6 .
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“A politician thinks of the next election. A leader thinks of the next generation.” – Bernie Sanders
As some might know I am just past my 80th year and reading this article put forth by Mr. Clark about the daredevils of the Niagara falls, it brought memories of a young boy fresh out of or from Prince Edward Island as I, along with thousands stood by the rail overlooking the Canadian Falls.
We were transfixed peering into the spray looking for that barrel as it bobbed and pitched towards the Falls, all of a sudden the crowd exploded in expectation as the Rubber tubes came into view and some spoke their thoughts “Is it, the barrel, NOT going over the wrong section of the falls?”
Minutes past, the barrel had gone over but there was no celebration, just dread that filled the crowed ….That was my memory of “Red Hill Jr” and his journey into the memories that is and was Niagara Falls. The Hill Family was and is the history of Niagara,.,….May they all rest in Peace
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