I've seen increasingly less mention of Pierre Berton since his death in 2004, but the quality of his work will always speak for itself. He was a bestselling non-fiction author of popular Canadian history throughout his lifetime, and a proper ordering of his work tells a largely complete story of our country's first hundred years. This one is a collection of Canadian biographies, spotlights on individuals representing various pieces of history related to Canadian frontiers. In his introduction he contrasts these stories with those of the American frontiers littered with violence. The Canadian story is one of struggle against forbidding physical obstacles, backed by a respect for orderliness. But those who braved it were not any more tame. The seven lives Berton covers here, like a modern Plutarch, explore the frontiers which each of them faced as they plunged into the wilderness: both the Canadian lands which challenged them, and those more personal frontiers within themselves.

John Jewitt - while it's meant to be the story of John, it is as much or more the story of Maquinna, a chief of the Nootka. Berton points out that unfortunately few Native American figures were recorded as their own personalities in the European-written history of this period, but Maquinna is an exception.

Wilfred Grenfell- St. Anthony in Newfoundland has a tourist centre in honour of this man, who selflessly fundraised for and helped develop the East Coast area to which which his heart was clearly devoted, from the 1880s into the 1900s. He was a larger-than-life personae, difficult for his handlers but hero-worshiped by many.

Sam Steele - easily the best-known name among the vignettes in this collection, the quintessential RCMP officer still embodies the symbol of all the force stands for. Unfortunately he could not play the political game that never recognized him with the promotion his talents and dedication deserved.

Isaac Jogues - one of several Jesuit martyrs who proselytized among the aboriginal peoples of Canada. I find him impossible to relate to, as Berton admits is difficult, but there's no questioning his bravery.

Cariboo Cameron - I can far better relate to these lugubrious types, men like Cameron who would have preferred to stay low profile. He was destined to attract attention due to striking it rich in BC gold, and couldn't always deal with it gracefully.

Mina Hubbard - Labrador explorer, following in the footsteps of her husband. A rare case of an explorer who was hardly motivated by new discoveries.

Almighty Voice - the most challenging tale for Berton to maintain a fair perspective on. A young brave who murdered three RCMP officers, stories have been told for and against his side of the story. Berton aims for dry facts and judges accordingly. "They were attempting to become farmers and herdsmen with the help of the Indian department" is an outdated sentence: the 'Indians' were forced to resort to farming and herding, rather, and 'help' is being generous. ( )

wanted to like it more than i did. but i do appreciate that the stories are about canadians, most of whom i had never heard of. ( )