This second of three volumes relating the history of the Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC) takes a detailed look at the two major influences on the company’s second century: the struggle with the North West Company for monopoly control of the Canadian fur trade, and the governorship of Sir George Simpson, during which that monopoly was consolidated and administered. 

          Not content just to tell the story, Newman analyzes why the HBC won out in the struggle and why its fur monopoly unraveled. As with the previous volume, this is grounded in solid research and delivered in a straightforward, readable style.