Published to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the beginning of construction of the first Welland Canal, "Spirit of the Big Ditch" by Robert Ratcliffe Taylor, Professor Emeritus of History, Brock University, presents a welcome and novel approach to the history of the Welland Canals. He presents a largely overlooked aspect of the Canals - its two-hundred-year history as recorded in poetry and song by a variety of authors and songwriters. Through poetry and song, the creators of these works have breathed life and character into what many might consider a very harsh and technically absorbing topic. The many illustrations throughout the book add a visual element linking the poems, songs, and history of the canals. Taylor's insightful introductions and notes to the works help the reader understand the meaning and context of the various poems and songs.