Adam Germain’s memoir tops Canadian category charts, rooted in Fort McMurray story
FORT McMURRAY, Alta. — A self-published memoir by former Fort McMurray lawyer, MLA and judge Adam Germain has become the most popular titles in its category in Canada, only months after its release.
Adam’s Journey: A Struggle for Survival in a Hostile Land was published in October 2023 and quickly climbed to the top of the biographical and anecdotal collection charts. Germain, who built one of Fort McMurray’s most successful law firms before serving as an MLA and then a federal judge, says the response has far exceeded his expectations.
The book recounts Germain’s path from a single-parent home in Winnipeg across the Prairies to Fort McMurray, where he put down strong roots and developed a deep affinity for the community. He later served on the bench during a period that saw the rise of forensic evidence, electronic investigations, and legal controversies over public protest.
Despite its success, Germain says he only hoped to sell about 100 copies as a way of preserving his memories of Fort McMurray and the courtroom for future generations. Hundreds of copies have sold to date, and demand has prompted him to prepare a second printing.
Germain has not marketed the book through advertising or social media, relying instead on word-of-mouth. He donates all profits to charities, including the Wood Buffalo Food Bank, the Heart and Stroke Foundation, and the Legal Archives of Alberta. The book is also available at the Regina Public Library.
Filled with anecdotes and familiar names, Germain says the memoir offers long-time Fort McMurray residents a new perspective on many of the people and events that helped shape the region.
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