Berton had a talent for making History come alive in a way that is rare not only among Canadian authors, but indeed is rarely equaled and certainly not surpassed by any other author I have encountered abroad. Reading this book is worth it if only for the character sketches Berton provides, for he is not the sort to leave an interesting story out of the mix, and evidently there were many interesting stories – and probably many more lost in the flames, snow, or mud.Īs a Canadian living away from home, I never miss an opportunity to read a book by Pierre Berton. I found it more than adequate, and Berton keeps the telling honest as well as lively. And this book is great enough that it adequately gives an idea of the entire three-year ordeal. This book adequately gives the idea of a great adventure, which, outside of the few lucky ones who got wealthy and stayed that way, is the true draw and theme of any gold rush. well it's just as sickening to read about the two people who froze to death trying to boil a moccasin for food. In the end, while it's sickening to read about the thousands of horses who died on hopeless journeys.

It covers everything, including the parts that are not so pretty. If you don't know anything about the Klondike gold rush, this is the book about it you should read. The pure storytelling with which Berton imbues his history of the gold rush is enthralling. With that unrelated anecdote in mind, this book is fantastic and a joy to read. I'll always remember one of Pierre Berton's final television appearances, in which he benevolently taught the Canadians watching how to roll a joint.

Klondike by Pierre Berton