Customer Reviews (1)

An uncomfortable view of today's mainline churches
Pierre Berton was the dean of Canadian columnists for most of his life. At one time actively part of a mainline church, he voluntarily withdrew, dismayed at the practice of "churchianity" as he saw it. Because of his standing as an author and commentator, the Anglican Church in Canada asked him to write an article that would outline his reasons.

As he got into writing the "article" he very quickly discovered that what he had was not an article, but a book. If you are active in any church, mainline or other (whatever that means), you will find this book insightful and well worth reading -- and you won't come away from it feeling comfortable.

In Canada, 5,000 copies of a book sold rate it a "Best Seller". When this book came out it immediately sold 150,000 copies -- unheard of for any book at the time. Because of his years of experience as an author, Pierre Berton has presented the entire text in a truly readable style.

Please get a copy -- it will help you to re-tune your vision of religion as it is practiced throughout the English Speaking world (at a minimum). ... Read more

Product Description
1924. Illustrated. The story of Sarah Bernhardt as told to the author. From the Introduction: Never was more apt the German proverb, Truth is its own justification, than in the telling of the story of that most remarkable of women, Sarah Bernhardt. During her life, in spite of the fact that she enjoyed more widespread publicity than any other person, man or woman, remarkably little was known by the public of her real life story. The very extent of this World-Wide publicity served, in fact, as a sort of smokescreen to conceal the intimate personality of the woman it vaunted. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Uneven quality
Some of the articles were pretty hilarious, others were just repeats of other articles in the same book. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

This book is not out of print!
Although the description above states that this issue of Flames Across the Border is out of print, it fails to add that it was re-issued in August of 2001 by Anchor Canada.Its ISBN is 0385658389.Amaazon.ca stocks it.So if you want to read this very good book, you still can, without searching for used copies.

I Cannot Believe this Book Is Out of Print
In almost a half century of reading, I can recall about a dozen books that were absolutely captivating, as much for the author's narrative skills as through the subject matter.This is one, and Pierre Berton is almost the only author whose works made that list more than once.The War of 1812 is a generally neglected subject in America, except perhaps for the New Orleans campaign of 1815.Berton writes from a distinctly Canadian viewpoint, although he writes so wonderfully that even the most chauvinistic American will hardly notice and won't care.Any time I begin to write something that I hope readers will enjoy beyond simple information, I try to look back over a little of Berton's work in vain hopes of picking up something of his incomparable style.

Fantastic!More Americans need to read this!
It is a pity that Americans do not understand nor have any knowledge of the War of 1812.Our relationship with Canada would better understood and accepted if it did.Pierre Berton, a Canadian, has told the story of the war from a Canadian perspective but in such a manner that we can all relate and sympathize.He has taken reality/history and written it like historical fiction while maintaining a scholarly credability.

Interesting and well-written
History written like fiction. Can';t say enough about how readable and entertaining this book is. Highly recommended for anyone interested in the War of 1812 ... Read more

Product Description
The Canadian Classic, written by Pierre Berton and illustrated by his daughter, Patsy is now a 26 episode animated children’s series on CBC television beginning Saturday, September 9, 2006. Berton often cited The Secret World of Og as his favourite of his forty-seven books. It has sold more than 200,000 copies in four editions.

The series follows the five Berton children, Penny, Pamela, Peter, Patsy, and baby Paul (better-known as “The Pollywog”) as they discover and explore a vast,mysterious world of caverns and rivers hidden beneath a trapdoor in the floor of their clubhouse. In their subterranean adventures, they befriend the little green inhabitants called Ogs, share their worldly knowledge with them, and, at the same time, gain a little wisdom themselves.

The series is directed by Paul Schibli who also directed the long-running CBC series The Raccoons. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (21)

Before you read about the hobbits...
My grade 4 teacher read this one to the class, and we were mesmerized. I have fondly remembered this story for 20+ yrs, and had been trying to find it. Now way out of print, I finally found a copy -- thank goodness for Amazon and used books!

This story prepped me for The Hobbit, and later the Lord of the Rings. I do not remember much from my childhood reading, but this was a stand out. Now that I've read it again it's not exactly intellectually challenging for adults, but for a 10yr oldwho likes to explore, this book is great fun.

Lost but not Forgotten
I can't believe I found this book again!!!I read this in elementary school multiple times and memories of it have always haunted me through the years.I'm now 52 and have tried for decades to remember the name of this book to no avail.Tonight I did a Google search and typed in "children's classic fantasy underground world" ... and I found it again!As soon as I saw the title I remembered it.So, I'm ordering it tonight and can't wait to share it with my 9 and 10 year old children.

Another classic I've enjoyed through the years is "The Princess and the Goblin" by George Mcdonald.

Great kids book that the whole family will enjoy!
This is a quirky and lovely book.The text is provided by Mr. Berton and the whimsical illustrations by his daughter Patsy.My children and I read this book over the course of a summer vacation and each one, ranging in age from 6 to 11, loved it.They couldn't wait for the next chapter.The four children in the book go on an underground adventure into a magical world of strange little people.
I especially loved how the brothers and sisters help each other and watch out for each other through it all.
Highly entertaining.

One of the best children's books ever
This book was read as a class project when I was 10 years old by one of my favorate teachers.Three years later, my sister had the same teacher and the same project.This became our favorate book, but we never saw a copy outside the classroom.We talked about it on occasion over the years and (we were now in our forties) my sister ran across it on Amazon and ordered copies for each of us.I received mine on Christmas morning (best present that year).We were able to enjoy reading it once again and pass it on to our children and hopefully our grandchildren when it's time.Highly recommended - it's a book you don't forget and those are rare indeed.

A Classic!
I read this story back in grade 4, and I never forgot how magical it was.Now, at the age of 19, I finally received it as a Christmas present from my sister.This story is by far one of the most magical stories I have ever read.It was fantastic, and completely unforgettable. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Classic history of Canada's teething days
Pierre Berton is Canada's favourite historian and this book remains the definitive history of the railroad that ensured Canada would grow all the way to the Pacific coast. The National Dream is the first of two chronicles. It recountsthe preparations to the actual construction work, which is covered in the second volume "The Last Spike".

We read of the political negotiations with British Columbia, which at first only wanted a wagon trail. We witness the fighting between the surveyors of different routes through the Rockies. I was surprised to discover that the greatest political difficulty was getting the railroad to go through Ontario, over the desolate granit of the Canadian shield, so that it avoid going south of the lakes, through the US. The Pacific railway had to be an all-Canadian venture. Still in politics, Berton describes the money politics of 1870's and ends by putting us in the House of Commons during the CPR debates of December 1880.

Canada today is a country stretching from the Atlantic to the Pacific, capping the lower 48 of the United States. At Confederation in 1867, Canada ended at the Great Lakes; west of there but not part of Canada was the Hudson's Bay Company's land, the Red River colony (today Manitoba) and British Columbia. Canadian visionaries correctly saw the railway as the only way to ensure Canada survived American expansion. The CPR was a ridiculous undertaking. Imagine a country the size of New Zealand deciding that survival meant a space program and you get the picture.

The CPR was an instance of a particularly Canadian National Policy whose purpose is to keep Canada whole. The price we had to pay then was that expensive all Canadian route. Interestingly, we still live with the legacy and expensive transportation is still a Canadian "feature". While travel between cities is cheap within the US, flights between any two large Canadian city are expensive as the money is used to subsidize transport to Canada's more remote areas. Is it worth it? Ask any Canadian, and you'll often get a mumble and grumble finally ending in a painful "yes, yes it is". ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Remarkably Informative Brief Book
This brief book describes the last days of the great Native Americanleader Tecumseh, the Shawnee chief whose vision was to unite his and othertribes in defense of much of what is now the states of Ohio, Indiana, andMichigan. He was both respected and feared by the westward moving settlers.General William Henry Harrison waged battle against Tecumseh and his Indianalliance, first in Indiana, and later in Candada during the War of1812.

The Candadian author describes Tecumseh's defeat and death duringthe Battle of the Thames in the War of 1812. The book brings an insightfulCanadian perspective of Tecumseh's role in the War of 1812. Although thebook is written for adolescent readers, anyone with an interest in early19th century American history will enjoy this book ... Read more