THE RIEL REBELLION: A BIOGRAPHICAL APPROACH. How, Charles and Cynthia How. Vancouver, Tantalus Research, c1984. 162pp, paper, $12.95, ISBN 0-919478-62-X. CIP Grades 11 and up Reviewed by J.D. Ingram Volume 13 Number 4 1985 July This book is concerned with the North-West Rebellion of 1885. There are twenty-one thumb-nail biographical sketches of people who were involved in this event. These sketches, largely point-form life highlights, are supplemented by more general information and constitute the "Biographical Approach." Each chapter begins with a "Reading with a Purpose" section and concludes with one called "Ideas for Projects." Also featured, in addition to the specific individuals, are key events, related maps, photographs, illustrations, and on occasion, time lines. There is not a great deal of substance here, but what there is, is well organized and readable. The maps are particularly useful and assist in comprehending the text. I cannot understand, however, why Big Bear and Thomas Strange do not merit separate biographies. Not all the ideas for projects are impressive, for example, "make a model of Wandering Spirits war club . . . ." Credits are given for pictures, illustrations, and maps, but not for quoted sources. The authors are not on solid ground when they claim the six man jury in the Riel trial "was hardly right for a trial involving a major rebellion and treason." In fact, George Stanley in Louis Riel (McGraw-Hill-Ryerson. 1972), and Beal and Macleod in Prairie Fire* state the proceedings in the court were applied legally. Neither I nor others can find evidence to support a contention that the federal government cancelled an order to move the trial to Winnipeg and thereby avoided the necessity of a twelve-man, half French jury. Although no teacher's guide was available for this review, one does exist for $8.95. This book is particularly well suited as a supplementary source on the Riel Rebellion of 1885. J.D. Ingram, Gordon Bell H.S., Winnipeg, Man. *Reviewed XIII/4 July 1985 p.168.