Writer and former CSIS strategist Phil Gurski's latest book From Village to Vimy to Victory, Russell Soldiers in the Great War came out in early June.

Gurski moved to Russell from Ottawa a few years ago and became interested in the sacrifice made in his new hometown by young men in the First World War.

The self-published book, printed by The Printing House in Ottawa, tells the story of over 100 men who left Russell to fight in the First World War, 19 of whom did not return. Gurski noted that at the time Russell only had about 600 people, so a large proportion of the population left, and of those who returned many suffered from the other scars of war. The book chronicles some of their experiences, including how their lives unfolded when they came home.

Gurski has written six previous book on terrorism including Canada: A Peaceable Kingdom? To learn more about his books, contact flipper0691@outlook.com.

Here is his conversation with CJRO: