Includes bibliographical references and index.

An examination of the battle of Vimy Ridge and how memory of it has evolved over 100 years. Unlike any other battle in Canadian history, Vimy Ridge has been described as the "birth of the nation." But few historians have examined how, or why the battle continues to resonate with Canadians. The Vimy battle that began April 9, 1917, was the first time the four divisions of the Canadian Expeditionary Force fought together. Over 10,600 men were killed or injured over four days--twice the casualty rate of the Dieppe Raid in August 1942. With new material and photographs from official archives and private collections from across Canada and around the world, Cook not only brings the battle to life, but tells the story of Canadian identity.