Stampede for Gold: The Story of the Klondike Rush

by Pierre Berton

The Klondike gold rush, which occurred between 1896 and 1899, was one of the strangest outbreaks of “gold fever” ever to take place. With news of California’s rush still fresh in their minds, thousands of men with get-rich-quick dreams hurried to stake out claims in the Yukon. But they did not count on the murderous weather…or the severe mountain passes that protected the gold. Among those who came with high hopes were author Pierre Berton’s parents; here, he presents vividly written, firsthand accounts of the gunfights, con men, avalanches, frostbite, and starvation people endured. It is an amazing and unforgettable true story of superhuman challenges, death-defying adventure, and lifelong friendships.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

180 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2007

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

[Ian MacIntyre · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pierre Berton was a great story teller and this is no exception. Targeted for YA, this would be enjoyable for all history buffs. Punctuated with exciting, sad and funny stories -the people gathered around to watch the chicken lay an egg - ENTERTAINMENT!

[Heep · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pierre Berton has a style that can inspire a reader to say "gosh, this is grand". He almost has P. T. Barnum's flair for the large and sensational, and along with it an air of salesmanship and perhaps exageration. What I am left with is an acceptable, very basic history of a time and place, in this case the Klondike gold rush, told from an optimistic perspective - nothing to challenge the mainstream account or to question accepted norms and values. And so, the history of the Klondike is comprised of the improbable gathering of a bunch of big-hearted, good-old boys who were always willing to spot you some money, buy you a drink or lend you a hand, if not share their stake, and most of whom came out enriched in their being but not in their pocketbooks. It is a good story, if only it were all true.

[Mrs · Rating 1 out of 5]

"The Golden Trail" is the exact same book with an addition of a “Before” and an “After” chapter. I prefer the map in Stampede for Gold but there are black and white photographs in The Golden Trail. Either one is a good choice (if I like it!). Decide after I read the “before” and “after” Grades 7-9
Stampede 153 pages published in 1950
Golden 131 pages published in 1955, new material added in 2007

[Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

The big picture in a short book. You can tell it was meant for kids. P.B. Is a fine author of Canadian history. It would nice if some of his more grownup books would show up on audible.

[Greynomad · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a read

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good introduction to the Klondike gold rush, especially for those like me who currently know little about it. As ever, I find Berton's writing compelling and engaging in a way that few historians manage. However, I did find it frustrating that women and First Nations people were rarely noted by name, generally being referred to as "so-and-so's wife" or "the Indians," even when they were as or more important to the story being told than the prospector being discussed in the same breath. Indeed, one of the few First Nations individuals actually named in this book was apparently misnamed in it. Nonetheless, the work was engaging and a delight to read.

[Martha · Rating 5 out of 5]

The fascinating story of the Klondike Gold Rush, a period I have been researching lately. This is a well-written YA non-fiction book. The prose is clear and easy to read, and the author paints a colorful picture of a kind of mass insanity that gave rise to a lot of unforgettable characters and anecdotes. I only wish there were more photographs, but there are some good sites for that online. I would also have liked a bibliography, or "further reading" suggestions....

[Leif · Rating 3 out of 5]

A pretty good introductory history. My copy is an old Junior High library book from 1954. That said, in this older edition, there is some language that I am sure would be offensive to some of our brothers and sisters of color. If you can overlook the occasionally politically incorrect/offensive words, this is an entertaining history.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book with alot of great insight.

[Jamie Lyon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting bit of history that I knew nothing about. Bonus points for mentioning James Oliver Curwood!