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Aug 09, 2010pkirk rated this title 4 out of 5 stars
From the massive bonfire of burning binnies in Manitoba on the eve of Centennial Year to DeGaulle's "Vive le Quebec libre" speech. The removal of Diefenbaker from the tory leadership to the resignation of Lester Pearson it is all here. Berton describes the building of Expo 67 and the many twists and turns in that story. He describes some of the lesser known events of the year. Berton, as a journalist, tells the story of that year with his usual brand of storytelling. It is less ananlytical than a true history would be but reminds us what it was like to live in this country that year. The Centennial Train, the build up to the year and how it almost didn't happen. How the Diefenbaker government paid little attention to the coming centennial year and the Liberal's tepid steps towards the event. Judy LaMarsh's championing of the celebrations and managing to get the government of the day excited for the event and its eventual success. It was truly a memorable year and as Berton says - the last good year.