As I began to guide tours on the Chilkoot Trail, I became engrossed by the saga of thousands of men and women whose stories were played out on the stage of the Klondike Goldrush of 1898. I read Pierre Berton's "Klondike", the quintessential book on this period. Berton had the unique opportunity to understand this period, as his family was in Dawson City at the time.Berton's writing style and his depth of subject matter, made this book one of my all-time favorite reads. He looks at history from the viewpoint of the people who lived it. His use of diaries, news stories, and anecdotal moments, make the Klondike Goldrush come alive. His commitment to retelling the history of this unparalleled confluence of events and people has left us with a literary treasure.
Although Pierre Berton is a Canadian writer, the "Klondike" is the recanting of an American gold rush on Canadian territory. And if you are Canadian, Berton has done more to bring Canadian history to the Canadian consciousness than any other writer.
I recommend the "Klondike". Start reading it - you won't be disappointed!
A brief biography.
More of Pierre Berton's books.
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