Winter by Pierre Berton

by Pierre Berton

Canadians, Pierre Berton writes, are not only a winter people but are also, by reputation, a wintry people, 'frosty of mien, cool of temperament, chilly of countenance. . .not given to public displays of hot emotion' - except at the hockey rink, when players bash each other and the crowd calls for blood. And that, he says, is just part of the paradox of our most fascinating season.

Genres: Nonfiction, Canada, History, Photography

Hardcover

First published July 1, 1994

About the author

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

[Paul Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Now soon, ah, soon, I know/ The trumpets of the north will blow/And the great winds will come to bring wild riders of the snow."- Bliss Carman. The 1996 book, Winter by Pierre Berton is a lavish and, dare I say it, warm depiction of the season most commonly associated with Canada. Mr. Berton's book is part coffee table book and exploration of the winter season. The photographs are both revealing and touching. Many of them were expertly taken by André Gallant. It reveals a poetic, almost symbiotic, relationship between the elements and Canadians. "We Canadians are a winter people--a wintry people, some would say--frosty of mien, cool of temperament, chilly of countenance," writes Berton. The text, provided by Mr. Berton, serves as a guide to how winter is part of Canada's history, its DNA and its ongoing influence. The photos deliver proof of his assertions. Mr. Berton can speak of such passion for the cold season having experienced many cold winters from his childhood in Dawson City, Yukon. His book explores all facets of winter: its beauty, the isolation, the extreme weather conditions, winter festivities like the Quebec winter carnival, hockey ,some people's reticence toward the season and why winter matters. Mr. Berton is one of this country's great storytellers. He loved his country and everything about it. This book is proof of that great love affair. I highly recommend this book. Regardless of the season you choose to read this book, Winter by Pierre Berton will remind you of that first chill, the nip in the air and that first touch of snowfall.

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Touching reminiscence of the True North Strong and Free.