Nicole O’Byrne speaks with Joshua MacFadyen about his book, Time Flies: A History of Prince Edward Island from the Air.

Time Flies provides a unique perspective on Prince Edward Island’s transformation over 85 years (1935–2020) through aerial photography and historical analysis. The book showcases iconic landscapes, highlighting changes in land use and ecosystems. It is divided into four chapters focusing on resource economies, rural communities, urban development, and coastal change. The work offers valuable insights into the social and ecological evolution of the island, offering broader lessons on modern change.

For more information about the book and the online companion Story Map, please visit https://www.upei.ca/timeflies.

Dr. Joshua MacFadyen is the Canada Research Chair in Geospatial Humanities and an associate professor in the Applied Communication, Leadership, and Culture program at the University of Prince Edward Island. His previous books include Flax Americana: A History of the Fibre and Oil That Covered a Continent and Time and a Place: An Environmental History of Prince Edward Island.

Image Credit: Island Studies Press

If you like our work, please consider supporting it: bit.ly/support_WTY. Your support contributes to the Champlain Society’s mission of opening new windows to directly explore and experience Canada’s past.

Time Flies: A History of Prince Edward Island from the Air

Immerse yourself in Canada’s history! Witness to Yesterday episodes take listeners on a journey to document a time in Canada’s past and explore the people behind it, its significance, and its relevance to today. If you like our work, please consider supporting it: https://bit.ly/support_WTY. To learn more about the Society and Canada’s history, subscribe to our newsletter at https://bit.ly/news_WTY.