1994 graduate Dr. Tim Cook remembers coming to Trent determined not to follow in his parent’s footsteps as scholars of Canadian history. Within a year he was drawn to history and ended up majoring in the field. His vivid memories of Professor Emeritus John Syrett’s seminar class on the Vietnam War reflect upon the intimate undergraduate environment afforded him.

“The small seminars were important to my academic development,” says Dr. Cook. “The crucial face-to-face interaction forced me to think and respond to questions, based on the readings or blind panic … I never learned so much.”

As director of research at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa, Dr. Cook’s education, and ongoing research have put him in a prime position to produce two highly-acclaimed texts. Published by Viking Canada in 2008, Dr.Cook’s Shock Troops: Canadians Fighting the Great War 1917–1918 (volume two) won the 2009 Charles Taylor Prize for Literary Non-Fiction.

Four years later, his new book, Warlords: Borden, Mackenzie King, and Canada’s World Wars (Allen Lane, 2012) has been short-listed for the same prestigious award.

Dr. Cook’s writing style combines “deep archival research with accessible writing.”

Having spent ten years working at the war museum he feels “compelled to think of ways to explain and explore our complex history and to make it accessible for all Canadians.” He says that he tries “to do the same with his books.

Initially planning to become an historian of Canadian federalism, Dr. Cook changed direction under the guidance of Professor Emeritus Stuart Robson. “His brilliant lectures and tutorials exposed him to the horror and heroism of war, where ordinary citizens and citizen-soldiers faced gut-wrenching decisions, were brutalized, and fought for their very survival,” says Dr. Cook, who spent the last twenty years building on the knowledge that Prof. Robson passed on to him.” He adds that, “Trent was filled with gifted professors, and it took him years to realize how dedicated they were to the students.”

Never failing to sing the praises of Trent, Dr. Cook’s reminiscences are filled with details highlighting ways in which he has combined a passion for life and study within a specific environment.

“Trent is a unique community,” he says. “My most rewarding memories are of the many friends I met from across the country and around the world. I lived at Lady Eaton College for two years and the close interaction with other students was absolutely brilliant. I was also lucky enough to play varsity rugby, and the memories on and off the pitch are among my very favourite; over the last 20 years I have often reflected fondly upon the deep camaraderie of the bruised and the bloodied who wore the green and white.” 

Looking back on that kid twenty years ago, I never thought I would emerge as a scholar, professor, and author of history, but Trent put me on that path. And I’ve enjoyed the journey so far.”

The Charles Taylor Prize commemorates Charles Taylor’s pursuit of excellence in the field of literary non-fiction. The prize will be awarded to the author whose book best combines a superb command of the English language, an elegance of style, and a subtlety of thought and perception. The prize consists of $25,000 for the winner and $2,000 for each of the runners up as well as promotional support to help all shortlisted books stand out in the national media, bookstores, and libraries. Authors whose books have been shortlisted for the prize will be brought to Toronto for the awards ceremony. The winner will be invited to read at the International Festival of Authors, held in October at Harbourfront Centre in Toronto.

Posted on Thursday, January 24, 2013.