Far from what we consider the drabness of our nation’s history, this book is one of the most fascinating I have ever read. If all history were written like this, nobody in Canada would declaim it boring again. Other reviewers point out its incredible ability to make the reader understand the suffering of the times. I feel obligated to point out Pierre’s ability to shed light on the amazing perseverance of Canada’s people and to celebrate their triumphs from a closer look at individual and group achievements, which altogether inspired the nation Canada eventually became. At times the nation pulled together as a people, despite the government’s indifference, which in the end makes this less of a tragedy and more of something to be revered. The book effectively demonstrates that, although Canada’s government gave up on its citizens, the people failed to give up on each other. Also noteworthy, as he did in “Flames Across the Border” Pierre again, though the comprehensive framework of the subject at hand is able to explain why Canada developed an identity so unlike its powerful neighbor to the south.