{"product_id":"the-don-9781459745964","title":"The Don","description":"\u003cb\u003eBook Synopsis\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAn in-depth exploration of the Don Jail from its inception through jailbreaks and overcrowding to its eventual shuttering and rebirth.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Conceived as a palace for prisoners, the Don Jail never lived up to its promise. Although based on progressive nineteenth-century penal reform and architectural principles, the institution quickly deteriorated into a place of infamy where both inmates and staff were in constant danger of violence and death. Its mid-twentieth-century replacement, the New Don, soon became equally tainted.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Along with investigating the origins and evolution of Toronto's infamous jail, \u003ci\u003eThe Don\u003c\/i\u003e presents a kaleidoscope of memorable characters  inmates, guards, governors, murderous gangs, meddlesome politicians, harried architects, and even a pair of star-crossed lovers whose doomed romance unfolded in the shadow of the gallows.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e This is the story of the Don's tumultuous descent from palace to hellhole, its shuttering and lapse into de\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eTrade Review\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Don\u003c\/i\u003e is an impeccably researched, detailed account of the history of Toronto's infamous jail and its inhabitants - some of whom orchestrated the most famous escapes in Canadian history. Lorna Poplak has given us an immensely readable, engaging and entertaining look at a significant piece of Toronto's past. The book comes alive as it describes the good intentions that surrounded the building of the jail, such as the rehabilitation and redemption of the inmates, through to, and including, a candid description of the reality of its often inhumane, fetid and over-crowded conditions. This is a must read for those interested in Toronto's criminal justice history. * Sandra Kingston, former crown attorney *\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Don\u003c\/i\u003e is a breezily written book recommended for anyone interested in Toronto history, penology or criminology and a thoroughly well researched account of a jail which, in various states of repair and disrepair, housed tens of thousands of criminals and ne'er-do-wells in the Toronto area during its more than 150 years of existence. A must read for all true crime buffs! * James Dubro, author of Mob Rule and Dragons of Crime *\u003cbr\u003eLorna Poplak has written a fascinating history about Toronto's most notorious jail. \u003ci\u003eThe Don\u003c\/i\u003e is recommended reading for anyone interested in true-crime or the dark-side of Toronto history. * Nate Hendley, author of The Boy on the Bicycle: A Forgotten Case of Wrongful Conviction in Toronto *\u003cbr\u003eLorna Poplak tells three stories in \u003ci\u003eThe Don\u003c\/i\u003e: the history of Toronto's most famous\/infamous prison; the evolving theories of incarceration and punishment through the jail's century-and-a-half life; and the shifting shape of the building and surrounding city. All well-told stories, populated by the extraordinary characters of jailors and jailed, hangmen and hanged, all confined within the long, grim history of the Don. A great read. * Joe Berridge, author of Perfect City *\u003cbr\u003eThis book documents the history of the Don, but also the history of the city of Toronto and thinking around incarceration. An informative read. * Jennifer Hollett, Executive Director, The Walrus *\u003cbr\u003eCanadian history buffs will savor the arcane criminal lore gathered here. * Publishers Weekly *\u003cbr\u003ePoplak is right to dwell on the many indictments of jail conditions throughout this book. * Briarpatch *\u003cbr\u003eProdigiously researched. * Toronto Star *\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eTable of Contents\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIntroduction\u003cbr\u003eAuthor’s Note\u003cbr\u003eIntroduction\u003cbr\u003e1. Out with the Old \u003cbr\u003e2. Location, Location, Location \u003cbr\u003e3. Paradise Lost \u003cbr\u003e4. In with the New \u003cbr\u003e5. Cornerstones \u003cbr\u003e6. A Change of Plan \u003cbr\u003e7. Fire\u003cbr\u003e8. The End Result \u003cbr\u003e9. Governor of Long Standing\u003cbr\u003e10. Greener Pastures\u003cbr\u003e11. Folk Hero\u003cbr\u003e12. Vera Walks Free\u003cbr\u003e13. A Fire Hand\u003cbr\u003e14. War Hero\u003cbr\u003e15. The Polka Dot Gang\u003cbr\u003e16. The Great Escape\u003cbr\u003e17. Cop Killers\u003cbr\u003e18. The End of the Line\u003cbr\u003e19. A New Beginning\u003cbr\u003e20. Crowded Corner\u003cbr\u003e21. At Death’s Door\u003cbr\u003e22. Down with the Don\u003cbr\u003e23. From Bad to Worse\u003cbr\u003e24. Adaptive Reuse\u003cbr\u003e25. Digging Up the Past \u003cbr\u003e26. Makeover\u003cbr\u003e27. Remember the Don\u003cbr\u003eAcknowledgements\u003cbr\u003eSelected Bibliography\u003cbr\u003eImage Credits\u003cbr\u003eIndex\u003cbr\u003eAbout the Author","brand":"Dundurn Group Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48885720187223,"sku":"9781459745964","price":15.29,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"url":"https:\/\/bookcurl.com\/products\/the-don-9781459745964","provider":"Book Curl","version":"1.0","type":"link"}