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Steel Across the Shield : Canada Moves West

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Recounts the epic struggle to link Canadian provinces by rail across the Canadian Shield region

96 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

30 people want to read

About the author

Pierre Berton

178 books206 followers
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.

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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
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374 reviews16 followers
November 9, 2013
Very enjoyable and well written. Aimed at young adults, but I think a nice quick read for adults as well, and a good introduction to the subject to whet your whistle for some more. I have always found Pierre Berton enjoyable to read. If I find other books in this young adult series I will pick them, as my son enjoyed reading this one as well. After reading this I am going to have to add a book that I have on Gabriel Dumont and the Rebellion of 1885 to the top of my to read stack.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews

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