Items related to The Last Spike
Synopsis
Describes the political and financial problems that had to be overcome to complete Canada's first transcontinental railway
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
From the Inside Flap
In the four years between 1881 and 1885, Canada was forged into one nation by the building of the Canadian Pacific Railway. "The Last Spike reconstructs the incredible story of how some 2,000 miles of steel crossed the continent in just five years -- exactly half the time stipulated in the contract. Pierre Berton recreates the adventures that were part of this vast undertaking: the railway on the brink of bankruptcy, with one hour between it and ruin; the extraordinary land boom of Winnipeg in 1881-1882; and the epic tale of how William Van Horne rushed 3,000 soldiers over a half-finished railway to quell the Riel Rebellion.
Dominating the whole saga are the men who made it all possible -- a host of astonishing characters: Van Horne, the powerhouse behind the vision of a transcontinental railroad; Rogers, the eccentric surveyor; Onderdonk, the cool New Yorker; Stephen, the most emotional of businessmen; Father Lacombe, the black-robed voyageur; Sam Steele, of the North West Mounted Police; Gabriel Dumont, the Prince of the Prairies; more than 7,000 Chinese workers, toiling and dying in the canyons of the Fraser Valley; and many more -- land sharks, construction geniuses, politicians, and entrepreneurs -- all of whom played a role in the founding of the new Canada west of Ontario.
From the Back Cover
"No novel could surpass The Last Spike for plot; no western for wildness... This is a great book." —Vancouver Sun
"Lively, human and utterly absorbing." —The Financial Post
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherMcClelland & Stewart
- Publication date1971
- ISBN 10 0771013345
- ISBN 13 9780771013348
- BindingPaperback
- Rating
Buy New
Learn more about this copy
US$ 21.01
Shipping:
US$ 18.95
From Canada to U.S.A.
Other Popular Editions of the Same Title
Top Search Results from the AbeBooks Marketplace
Stock Image
'The Last Spike: The Great Railway, 1881-1885'
Seller: Wonder Book, Frederick, MD, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Good. Good condition. A copy that has been read but remains intact. May contain markings such as bookplates, stamps, limited notes and highlighting, or a few light stains. Seller Inventory # J06B-01555
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
The Last Spike : The Great Railway, 1881-1885
Published by
McClelland & Stewart, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 1971
ISBN 10: 0771013345
ISBN 13: 9780771013348
Used
Softcover
Seller: Sierra Rose Antiques, Minden, NV, U.S.A.
Seller rating 4 out of 5 stars
nFINE. Paperback in wraps. [B78]. Seller Inventory # 006255
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
The Last Spike : The Great Railway, 1881-1885
Published by
McClelland & Stewart, Toronto, ON, Canada, 1986
ISBN 10: 0771013345
ISBN 13: 9780771013348
Used
Soft cover
Seller: Bargain Finders of Colorado, Simla, CO, U.S.A.
Seller rating 4 out of 5 stars
Soft cover. Condition: Good. First Paperback. Interior is tight, clean and unmarked, however top page-edge is stained. Paperback cover has no creases in spine, designed to fold in cover. rear top page-edge abrased. Stated 15th printing in 1986 of 1983 paperback edition. Seller Inventory # 004931
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
The Last Spike. The Great Railway 1881-1885
Seller: Clarendon Books P.B.F.A., Leicester, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Good. Seller Inventory # 020916
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
The Last Spike: The Great Railway 1881-1885
Published by
McClelland & Stewart, Toronto, 1983
ISBN 10: 0771013345
ISBN 13: 9780771013348
Used
Soft cover
Signed
Seller: Bailey Books, St.Albert, AB, Canada
Seller rating 4 out of 5 stars
Soft cover. Condition: Very Good. No Jacket. SIGNED & dated by the late Mr. Berton in his typical fashion, on the title page. Gently read, oversized trade paperback edition. Fourteenth printing. Previous owners gift inscription on the ffep. Lightly bumped & rubbed to extremities, some soiling to white wraps. Tiny stain to the fore-edge. Signed by Author(s). Seller Inventory # 001008
Quantity: 1 available
Seller Image
'The Last Spike: The Great Railway, 1881-1885'
Published by
McClelland & Stewart, 1971, 1971
ISBN 10: 0771013345
ISBN 13: 9780771013348
New
Soft cover
Seller: Mad Hatter Bookstore, Westbank, BC, Canada
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Soft cover. Condition: New. Second printing 1986- Brand New and Unread- In the four years between 1881 and 1885, Canada was forged into one nation by the building of the Canadian Pacific Railway. The Last Spike reconstructs the incredible story of how some 2,000 miles of steel crossed the continent in just five years exactly half the time stipulated in the contract. Pierre Berton recreates the adventures that were part of this vast undertaking: the railway on the brink of bankruptcy, with one hour between it and ruin; the extraordinary land boom of Winnipeg in 18811882; and the epic tale of how William Van Horne rushed 3,000 soldiers over a half-finished railway to quell the Riel Rebellion. Dominating the whole saga are the men who made it all possible a host of astonishing characters: Van Horne, the powerhouse behind the vision of a transcontinental railroad; Rogers, the eccentric surveyor; Onderdonk, the cool New Yorker; Stephen, the most emotional of businessmen; Father Lacombe, the black-robed voyageur; Sam Steele, of the North West Mounted Police; Gabriel Dumont, the Prince of the Prairies; more than 7,000 Chinese workers, toiling and dying in the canyons of the Fraser Valley; and many more land sharks, construction geniuses, politicians, and entrepreneurs all of whom played a role in the founding of the new Canada west of Ontario. Seller Inventory # 009940
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
The Last Spike: the Great Railway 1881 - 1885
Published by
McClelland and Stewart Ltd., Toronto, 1986
ISBN 10: 0771013345
ISBN 13: 9780771013348
Used
Soft cover
Seller: Books@Ruawai, Kaipara District, New Zealand
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Soft cover. Condition: Very Good. No Jacket. Second paperback Edition. Seller Inventory # 008476
Quantity: 1 available