When a young black man named Seraphim "Joe" Fortes arrived in Vancouver in 1885, with little to his name, no one could possibly have suspected that one hundred years later he would be voted "Citizen of the Century". This is the first biography of the West Indian sailor who became a local legend, saving lives and teaching three generations of Vancouver children how to swim. Joe's rise to fame began in Liverpool, when a midnight race across the Mersey River with fellow members of the Secret Daredevil Club established his ...
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When a young black man named Seraphim "Joe" Fortes arrived in Vancouver in 1885, with little to his name, no one could possibly have suspected that one hundred years later he would be voted "Citizen of the Century". This is the first biography of the West Indian sailor who became a local legend, saving lives and teaching three generations of Vancouver children how to swim. Joe's rise to fame began in Liverpool, when a midnight race across the Mersey River with fellow members of the Secret Daredevil Club established his reputation as a swimmer of extraordinary talent. In the years ahead, he would sail around Cape Horn, shine shoes, tend bars, and rescue a mother and child from the Great Vancouver Fire. On a chance rowboat ride, he would find his "perfect place" in English Bay, where the untold story truly begins to evolve. In 1900, after years of volunteering, Joe was officially hired by the City of Vancouver as lifeguard, swimming instructor and special constable of English Bay beach. Colourful, often poignant details chronicle Joe's many adventures both on and off shore, along with his deeply personal relationship with the people of Vancouver. On 7 February 1922, after decades of Joe's exemplary service, thousands of mourners lined Vancouver streets to bid farewell to their friend Joe. His legacy continues today, with one of Vancouver's libraries named after him. Part of the proceeds from this biography are being donated to the Lifesaving Society/Soci�t� de Sauvetage du Canada.
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Add this copy of Our Friend Joe: the Joe Fortes Story to cart. $13.96, very good condition, Sold by ThriftBooks-Atlanta rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Brownstown, MI, UNITED STATES, published 2012 by Ronsdale Press.
Add this copy of Our Friend Joe: the Joe Fortes Story to cart. $23.00, very good condition, Sold by Hourglass Books rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Vancouver, BC, CANADA, published 2012 by Ronsdale Press.
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Seller's Description:
Very Good+ No Jacket as Issued. Book. Inscribed by Author(s) Inscribed by one of the authors on the title page: "Enjoy getting to know Joe! Lisa Smith"; minor wear; otherwise a solid, clean copy with no marking or underlining; collectible condition; illustrated with black and white photographs.
Add this copy of Our Friend Joe to cart. $24.95, new condition, Sold by Russell Books rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Victoria, BC, CANADA, published 2012 by Ronsdale Press.
Add this copy of Our Friend Joe to cart. $47.72, very good condition, Sold by Prominent Trading Company rated 4.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Hereford, HEREFORDSHIRE, UNITED KINGDOM, published 2012 by Unknown.
