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THE WILD FRONTIER.
Book by Pierre Berton
Paperback
First published January 1, 1978
10 people are currently reading
222 people want to read
About the author
Pierre Berton
177 books203 followersFrom 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
October 30, 2025
this book was cooooool. i really appreciated the stories that took place in Labrador, since my travels there are still very fresh in my mind. i also loved how pretty much every story contained it’s own map, it made visualizing each journey all the more enjoyable. i love relatively unknown canadian history! and despite its age, the book both reads quite nicely and has aged well.
i had no idea who pierre berton was for the majority of my time reading this book. i kinda thought he was a nobody author given the minimal reviews this book has on goodreads. not to mention, i am quite skilled at finding rare canadiana books at used book stores in the smallest of towns across canada.
it wasn’t until my dad saw the large author portrait on the back of the book that i did some googling and realized he’s a very well known canadian! not only that, but he lived just north of toronto for most of his life until his death.
the home he built there in the 1950’s has actually been abandoned for over 2 decades, and while it’s certainly in disarray, the structure still remains sound. i took a day trip there recently and fell in love with the property & what remained of his home. that house was also the place where he wrote all 50 of his books! my trip there really deepened my connection to the book & my fondness of pierre breton’s work.
very cool read which led me down a rabbit hole to a lot of other experiences, discoveries, and learning opportunities :)
i had no idea who pierre berton was for the majority of my time reading this book. i kinda thought he was a nobody author given the minimal reviews this book has on goodreads. not to mention, i am quite skilled at finding rare canadiana books at used book stores in the smallest of towns across canada.
it wasn’t until my dad saw the large author portrait on the back of the book that i did some googling and realized he’s a very well known canadian! not only that, but he lived just north of toronto for most of his life until his death.
the home he built there in the 1950’s has actually been abandoned for over 2 decades, and while it’s certainly in disarray, the structure still remains sound. i took a day trip there recently and fell in love with the property & what remained of his home. that house was also the place where he wrote all 50 of his books! my trip there really deepened my connection to the book & my fondness of pierre breton’s work.
very cool read which led me down a rabbit hole to a lot of other experiences, discoveries, and learning opportunities :)
November 18, 2020
Pierre Berton is required reading for all Canadians to supplement the history we didn't get in school.
This one, comprised of short stories, while a great easy and entertaining read, describes the hardships and horrors of both First Nations and settlers in those long ago times. By the end you will not be a Canadian ashamed of not knowing who Sam Steele or Almighty Voice was.
This one, comprised of short stories, while a great easy and entertaining read, describes the hardships and horrors of both First Nations and settlers in those long ago times. By the end you will not be a Canadian ashamed of not knowing who Sam Steele or Almighty Voice was.
January 8, 2024
The Wild Frontier is a great read to whomever likes short stories on Canadian History. These tales a great and make you discover lesser know Canadians of significance. The stories of Sam Steele, Isaac Jogues and Mina Hubbard are my favorites. Once again Pierre Berton writes about Canada's history in a way that is accessible and entertaining to all.
Next hardcover: "The Invasion of Canada: The War of 1812 (1812-1830)" (1980)
Next hardcover: "The Invasion of Canada: The War of 1812 (1812-1830)" (1980)
January 29, 2018
Loved every word!
February 3, 2022
Pierre Berton's as usual excellent writing about some amazing and generally little known people in Canada's history.
November 5, 2025
An interesting collection of stories that are entertaining and informative. Very enjoyable.
October 21, 2012
Quite enjoyable. The story on Sam Steele was the best of the group, I thought. The martyrdom of Isaac Jogues was my least favourite - mostly because it felt as though Berton was half sneering at Jogues' life...or at least sharply critical of the martrydom.
But the rest of the book was enjoyable, and up to the standard you'd expect from Berton.
But the rest of the book was enjoyable, and up to the standard you'd expect from Berton.
August 8, 2016
Not perfect by any means, but a great set of adventure stories, accurate retellings, and just interesting details/descriptions/background. The Hubbards stay in my mind, but every story in this collection was interesting, even if only the last half of it. Highly recommended.
August 11, 2011
One of my 4 favourite of Berton's books along with Niagara, Vimy and My Country. Collection of true stories about individuals and interesting incidents in Canadian History.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews