David Borys is a military historian who specialise in the Canadian war experience specifically examining the changing nature that warfare has wrought on Canadian society. His most recent book titled Civilians at the Sharp End examines the relationship between the soldiers of First Canadian Army and the civilians of northwest Europe during the Canadian army’s liberation route in the final two years of the Second World War. He also produces and hosts the popular podcast Curious Canadian History, a bi-weekly podcast on everything and anything to do with Canadian history. You can find it on Apple Podcast, Spotify and all podcast platforms as well as here

Office Hours:

Websites

• @DocBorys
• Curious Canadian History

Research Interests

• Canadian History
• Civil-Military Relations
• Military History

Borys, David. Civilians at the Sharp End: First Canadian Army Civil Affairs in Northwest Europe, 1944-1945. McGill-Queens Press: Toronto. February, 2021.

Borys, David. Review of The Secret History of Soldiers, by Tim Cook. Canadian Military History: Vol. 29, Iss. 2, Article 10. 2020.

Borys, David. Review of Reluctant Warriors Canadian Conscripts and the Great War, by Patrick Dennis. Canadian Military History: Vol. 27, Iss. 2, Article 4. 2018.

Borys, David. Review of Strangers in Arms: Combat Motivation in the Canadian Army, 1943-1945, by Robert Engen. in The Canadian Historical Review, Vol. 98, No. 1, March 2017.

Borys, David and Mathewman, Joshua. “Corporate Allies: Canadian Armed Forces and the use of Private Military, Security and Logistic Companies. Canadian Army Journal. Vol 16.2 2016. Winter 2016.

Borys, David. “The Little Institution that Could: The University of Alberta in the Great War” in The Frontier of Patriotism: Alberta and the Great War. Ed. Adriana Davies and Jeff Keshen. University of Calgary Press: Calgary. November 2016.

Borys, David. Review of Modern Warfare: Armed Groups, Private Militaries Humanitarian Organizations and the Law, ed. Benjamin Perrin. Canadian Military History. Spring 2015.

Borys, David. The (original) Crimean War: What You Need to Know. Toronto Star. March 7 2014.

Borys, David. Ten Momentous Canadian Battles. The Globe and Mail. Nov 11 2013.

Borys, David. Review of So Near So Far: The Public and Hidden Worlds of Canada-US Relations, by Geoffrey Hale. ACUNS, September 17, 2013. http://acuns.org/review-of-so-near-yet-so-far/

Borys, David. International Efforts by Private Military and Security Companies to adhere to Humanitarian and Human Rights Law. Issue Brief. Conference of Defence Associations Institute. May 2013. http://www.cdainstitute.ca/en/

Borys, David. The Employment of Private Military and Security Companies by Humanitarian Organizations. Issue Brief. Conference of Defence Associations Institute. April 2013. http://www.cdainstitute.ca/en/

Borys, David. Review of Warrior Nation: Rebranding Canada in an Age of Anxiety, by Ian McKay and Jamie Swift. Canadian Military History, March 28,2013. http://www.canadianmilitaryhistory.ca/the-journal-cmh/book-revi…

Borys, David. “Unsung Heroes: Canadian Civil Affairs in Northern France.” New Perspectives on Canada in the Second World War. Ed. Christine E. Leppard and Abraham M. Roof. Calgary, AB: Calgary Papers in Military and Strategic Studies, September, 2012.

Borys, David. “Crossing the Canal: Combined-Arms Operations at the Canal Du Nord, September-October 1918.” Canadian Military History Volume 20: 4, Autumn 2011. P 23-38.

Borys, David. “For the Empire, the Nation and the West: The University of Alberta’s Contribution to World War One.” Past Imperfect Journal 14: 3-28, Fall, 2008.

MEDIA

Radio

CBC      BC Today with Michele Eliot                    Special Guest                  Remembrance Day (2023)
CBC      BC Today with Michele Eliot                    Special Guest                  Remembrance Day (2021)
CBC      BC Today with Michele Eliot                    Special Guest                  Remembrance Day (2020)
CBC      BC Today with Michele Eliot                    Special Guest                  Remembrance Day (2018)
CBC      BC Today with Michele Eliot                    Special Guest                  Remembrance Day (2017)

Television

Heritage Minute             Edwin Baker                       Historical Consultant                 (2024)
Heritage Minute             Mary Riter Hamilton        Historical Consultant                 (2024)

NatGeo                Hitler’s Last Stand                         On-Air Expert                                      Season 3 (2021)
NatGeo                Hitler’s Last Stand                         On-Air Expert                                      Season 2 (2020)
NatGeo                Hitler’s Last Stand                         On-Air Expert                                      Season 1 (2019)

APTN                      Nations at War                                  Historical Consultant                 Season 3 (2019)
APTN                      Nations at War                                  Historical Consultant                 Season 2 (2018)
APTN                      Nations at War                                  Historical Consultant                 Season 1 (2017)

APTN                      Nations at War                                  On-Air Expert                                      Season 3 (2019)
APTN                      Nations at War                                  On-Air Expert                                      Season 2 (2018)
APTN                      Nations at War                                  On-Air Expert                                      Season 1 (2017)

Podcast

ACAST                   Curious Canadian History      Writer/Producer/Host                Season 10 (2024)
ACAST                   Curious Canadian History      Writer/Producer/Host                Season 9 (2023)
ACAST                   Curious Canadian History      Writer/Producer/Host                Season 8 (2022)
ACAST                   Curious Canadian History      Writer/Producer/Host                Season 7 (2021)
ACAST                   Curious Canadian History      Writer/Producer/Host                Season 6 (2020)
ACAST                   Curious Canadian History      Writer/Producer/Host                Season 5 (2019)
ACAST                   Curious Canadian History      Writer/Producer/Host                Season 4 (2018)
ACAST                   Curious Canadian History      Writer/Producer/Host                Season 3 (2017)
ACAST                   Curious Canadian History      Writer/Producer/Host                Season 2 (2016)’
ACAST                   Curious Canadian History      Writer/Producer/Host                Season 1 (2015)