Mysterious North

by Pierre Berton

Although The Mysterious North is written in the form of a personal narrative of several recent trips made into various parts of the vast northland, it nevertheless gives the reader a comprehensive account of early exploration, history, geology and minerology, climate, agriculture, economy, transportation (surely the greatest of all northern problems), scenery, tourism, personalities, Indians, Eskimos, and daily life.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Travel, Canada

391 pages, Hardcover

First published February 20, 1956

About the author

Pierre Francis de Marigny Berton, CC, O.Ont. (July 12, 1920 – November 30, 2004) was a Canadian historian, writer, journalist and broadcaster.


From narrative histories and popular culture, to picture and coffee table books to anthologies, to stories for children to readable, historical works for youth, many of his books are now Canadian classics.

Born in 1920 and raised in the Yukon, Pierre Berton worked in Klondike mining camps during his university years. He spent four years in the army, rising from private to captain/instructor at the Royal Military College in Kingston. He spent his early newspaper career in Vancouver, where at 21 he was the youngest city editor on any Canadian daily. He wrote columns for and was editor of Maclean's magazine, appeared on CBC's public affairs program "Close-Up" and was a permanent fixture on "Front Page Challenge" for 39 years. He was a columnist and editor for the Toronto Star, and a writer and host of a series of CBC programs.

Pierre Berton has received over 30 literary awards including the Governor-General's Award for Creative Non-Fiction (three times), the Stephen Leacock Medal of Humour, and the Gabrielle Leger National Heritage Award. He received two Nellies for his work in broadcasting, two National Newspaper awards, and the National History Society's first award for "distinguished achievement in popularizing Canadian history." For his immense contribution to Canadian literature and history, he has been awarded more than a dozen honourary degrees, is a member of the Newsman's Hall of Fame and a Companion of the Order of Canada.

Reviews

[Huguette Larochelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

the hard life of peoples , in the Yukon, terrible cold and life was terrible for animals too . many dogs died horrible death .one thing i did not like in this book , is what Burton say about Brigitte Bardot. that is why i have no patience with Brigitte Bardot and her supporters in animals right movement.

[Sheldon King · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book about the vast Canadian arctic. Berton travelled all over from coast to coast to coast. He met so many unique characters and gives a great detailed account of all the different areas. I kept checking google maps to see the places he talked about some had disappeared many had name changes. Really enjoy Bertons books so far.

[Marc Chénier · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I enjoyed this book it wasn't quite what I expected. A lot of it is about the resources of the north and it's geography. It does have many historical facts but not enough to satisfy me. On to the next book.

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a well written book although I think you need to have some geographical knowledge of the north, as I do, to appreciate it.