In Vancouver Special, writer, performer, and activist Charles Demers examines the who, what, where, when, why, and how of Vancouver, shedding light on the various strategies and influences that have made the city what it is today (as well as what it should be). From a history of anti-Asian racism to a deconstruction of the city’s urban sprawl; from an examination of local food trends to a survey of the city’s politically radical past, Vancouver Special is a love letter to the city, taking a no-holds-barred look at Lotusland with verve, wit, and insight.
We have some copies of this beautiful book to give away. You can enter by posting a comment about what makes Vancouver special below, or by re-tweeting a link to this post (be sure to include @myvancouver in your tweet). The winners will be notified by email or Twitter. If we do not receive a response a different winner will be chosen at random.
You can order the book here: http://www.vancouverspecialbook.com/
UPDATE: Here are the randomly chosen winners:
- Cheryl G
- Que B
- Amy K
Thanks to everyone who entered, and be sure to keep checking back for more contests!
5:00 pm
It is actually nice enough that there is rain in Vancouver. It beats the frosty streets and the snow to come in the next few days.
5:30 pm
Was looking for this book at Chapters but couldn’t find it. This would make an awesome xmas gift!
5:32 pm
I guess I should mention that it’s the fact that we have the mountains, the sea and greenery all a stones throw away that makes Vancouver special. Where else can you go for a hike, ski/snowboard and go kayaking all in the same day?!
5:36 pm
As someone who lives in Houston, TX but considers Vancouver, BC to my my second home I have to say that the list of what makes the City Special is too long to completely articulate. Here is my humble attempt:
Where else can you get a Slurpee right across the street from a Pho Stand (Denman Street), see a longer line at a Tim Horton’s directly across from a nearly empty Starbucks (Metropolis at Metrotowne), See Irish-Canadian and Filipino-Canadian Firefighters shirtless chowing down on burgers (Fatt Burger), and see Fiscal Conservatives civilly debating international diplomacy with Drag Queens (standing in line at a Bank on Davie Street)? Nowhere else on Earth but Vancouver, BC! My second home and the place where I wish I was as I write these words!
5:55 pm
Vancouver is special to me because I love its unique neighbourhoods with their different cultures, foods, shops and general people watching. There aren’t too many places in BC where you can find pretty much any ethnic dish you can think of and the fashions to match! I also love one can go paddling and skiing in the same day if so inclined because of the close distances between ocean and mountains. The shopping options alone in Vancouver is worth a visit!
5:58 pm
I love Vancouver… It’s one of my favorite city. I think you can find the best of all worlds there… From Downtown, you can either go to the beach or the mountains… SO COOL!!!!
6:04 pm
I’m a Vancouver girl born and bred. I can’t really imagine being anywhere else. My family has so much history here.
I love it for the combination you get. Brazilian samba dancers in the Chinese New Year Parade, Jewish singers with Japanese Taiko drumming. The clean mountain air, plus a vibrant urban scene yet you are never far from a green space to relax. The sea, the sun, the rain, we have it all!
6:43 pm
I first visited Vancouver for the World Fair expo 86, I fell in love with the city ever since. I have been back many times to visit friends and do more exploring of this city each time I visit. From Gastown to Grouse mountain and traveling up the inside passage on a cruise ship it’s such a beautiful place to visit and dont let the weather stop you ! I’m planning my trip soon and hope to make it home some day soon! the views from Canada Place looking toward the mountains is awesome ! I had a opportunity to wrk on cruise ship which sailed out of Vancouver and the sail away were awesome leaving the port and making our way up the inside passage
7:45 pm
I was born at St Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver 54 yrs ago. My family has lived in Vancouver, & the suburbs, for over 100 yrs. I will never move from this area.
I’d be interested in reading about the history of anti-asian racism since my family lived through it.
8:23 pm
I forgot to comment on what makes Vancouver special. There are so many things: the climate, the scenery, multiculturalism, shopping, museums, parks, sports, restaurants, PNE, Stanley Park, & so on.
9:48 pm
When I was a graduate student in Minneapolis, MN, U.S.A. my big dream was to move to Vancouver. About a year ago I got a job offer form Vancouver, and my dreams came true. I love Vancouver for it’s mountains and sea. I also appreciate (and not take for granted) the delicious Asian restaurants.
11:23 pm
I have never visited Vancouver, But almost all my friends have talked about the special beautiful art of nature there, May be I can experience it someday :)
11:57 pm
What a beautiful concept!!
11:13 am
I’d love to give this book to my sister, who recently returned to live in Vancouver after 30 years overseas. That’s a long time to be homesick…
12:07 pm
Originally from NYC, I moved here a year ago after 20 years in Los Angeles with my new Canadian husband, who brought me up to visit three years ago to show me the city and said I’d fall in love with it. He was right. From the magnificient mountains, which look even more magical when covered in snow, to the blue waterways with the little ferrys tooting along, to the sparkling city lights at night, I love Vancouver. NYC is magnificient, but large and hard to maneuver. LA is congested, polluted and crime-ridden. Vancouver is a jewel. I’d love this book to bring me up to speed on anything I’ve missed exploring this past year.
5:10 pm
Vancouver is such a friendly, welcoming city. It embraces cultures and styles from around the globe and provides inspiration and awe to any and all that live in or visit the city. Vancouver is a city that is so dynamic and unique from anywhere else I’ve traveled and lived in the world.
The quality of life this city provides is like none other. Where else can you find mountains, rain forests and a beautiful ocean just minutes from your front door step? Vancouver offers everything you could possibly ask for!
11:26 pm
What makes Vancouver special, is that it has the best of everything. A smorgasbord of scenery…life…cultures.
It was the city I emigrated to, from Switzerland, when I was 5, and though I don’t live there now, it will always be in a special pocket…in my heart.
5:21 pm
Mountain views and Sea views from my apartment… it’s usually one or the other …. if any! We’re spoilt.
2:46 pm
Kitsilano Pool on a warm, sunny summer day. Pure paradise: it’s a daunting 137-metre salt water outdoor pool, perched on the edge of the water, with breathtaking views of the ocean, the mountains, the city skyline, and Kitsilano Beach. There’s nothing like it anywhere else in the world.
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9:02 am
Where else can you snow ski and water ski in the same day & be downtown and all alone in nature in 15 mins!
10:47 am
Everything in Vancouver makes it a special city. From the suburbs to downtown. From the mountains to the valleys and lakes. From the coast to the inner areas.
But…
It is not only geographically special. Vancouverists are also incredible..warm, kind, educated people always willing to give a hand to whomever needs it.
They also make Vancouver a special city.
It is so incredible that I take my students from San Genaro, a city in the province of Santa Fe in Argentina to live inmersed a breathtaking experience as often as I can. Not as often as I´d like.
Everything in Vancouver makes it a special city.