A concise, comprehensive overview of the oldest city in North America. St John’s: A Brief History describes how, through war and the fishery, Newfoundland became settled, a colony, a Dominion of the British Empire, and finally a province of Canada. The book highlights the landmarks and historic sites of old St John’s, architecture and historic buildings, the harbour, its seafaring heritage, the oil and gas industry, and the outlook for the future. The book is illustrated with maps and contains some quirky facts.

Joan Rusted Joan Rusted was born in St John’s Newfoundland. She holds a degree in History and Political Science from Memorial University and an RSA Cambridge Certificate in TEFL in Brighton England. Joan also studied English Social History, Art and Architecture in the UK. She moved to Brighton in 1994 and worked for the next 15 years as a Technical Author and Documentation Specialist in the software and network technology industries. She now divides her time between Newfoundland and the UK.

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“Tourists will undoubtedly find the book useful and informative, and most residents will benefit also, but the ideal reader of St. John's: A Brief History is the new arrival who is thinking of staying on. For this person the book will provide an invaluable crash course.”

Atlantic Books Today

"[...] an incisive and focused history of St. John's."

St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Mayor Dennis O'Keefe