• Age: 15
• Grade: 10

North Vancouver is one of the most historic areas of BC's Lower Mainland, with a district population of more than 120,000 people, and more than 45,000 living in the City of North Vancouver itself. The area's easy access to downtown Vancouver, its multi-use waterfront and many recreational opportunities have made it one of the province's most desirable places to live, an enviable mix of residential and commercial development in the midst of one of the most spectacular natural settings in the world.

But how did this thriving multicultural city develop from a hodgepodge of wood frame buildings and muddy trails in just 100 years? The Ambitious City details the fascinating story of North Vancouver, from the migration of the Squamish people to Burrard Inlet, to the settlement of Moodyville in the 1800s through to the city's incorporation in 1907. The development of the area's shipbuilding industry and the economic and cultural revitalization of Lonsdale Avenue is also covered.

Published in honour of the City of North Vancouver's 2007 centennial, The Ambitious City is a dynamic popular history that includes first-person accounts as well as a host of archival photos and illustrations. Warren Sommer skillfully connects the community's history with that of the province, covering ethnic relations, colonialism, labour history and politics.

Warren Sommer is the principal of Legacy Heritage Consultants, an organization that specializes in cultural planning, community heritage, social research and community development. He is the author of four previous books, including Langley 125: A Celebration and From Far and Wide: Cultural Diversity in North Vancouver. He has an MA in Historical Geography. Sommer lives in Fort Langley, BC.

Warren Sommer's profile page

"A well-paced narrative... Reminiscences, the book's attractive design and numerous archival photos draw readers into a comprehensive saga."
--Lynda Grace Phillippsen, The Vancouver Sun

"[A] fascinating read"
--Lisa Smedman, The Vancouver Courier

"Warren Sommer's solid histories [of North Vancouver and Langley]... not only narrate their stories but also place them within larger regional, provincial and national frameworks"
-Jean Barman, BC Studies

Praise for <i>The Ambitious City</i>

The Ambitious City: A History of the City of North Vancouver

This text traces the history of the development of North Vancouver from its origins as the site of Moodyville Sawmill to the city of approximately 49,000 residents. It reveals how a diverse multicultural community emerged from its British beginnings and what effects early developers’ dreams had on the layout of the city. The author also explores the shipbuilding, shipping and sawmill industries. He covers the building of the Second Narrows Crossing and recounts the hardships faced by the Aboriginal peoples. This text celebrates those who contributed to the development of the city.

Sommer is the author of From Prairie to City: A History of the City of Langley and From Far and Wide: Cultural Diversity in North Vancouver.