Farewell To The Twentieth Century (TP): A Compendium Of The Absurd

by Pierre Berton

In this "compendium of the absurd," Pierre Berton looks back on some of the fads, follies, and fancies of his century—a period his grandchildren are already calling the Olden Days. In close to fifty essays, fables, and pseudo-documents, Berton covers a variety of twentieth-century customs, from modern funeral practices to Hollywood's immutable rules for movie car chases. He covers everything from TV talk shows that feature nutty female clairvoyants to James Bond's appalling lack of political correctness. He looks into the future and faces up to the problem supersonic airliners will soon have trying to show full-length movies on shorter flights. (His solution: show the opeinging scenes in the airport limousine.)

And he has not neglected what he considers the most absurd phenomenon of the twentieth century—the Cold War.

This is not a tome to be pored over in the study. It belongs on the bedside table or perhaps in the bathroom. It is ideal fodder for the beach or poolside and an essential alternative for those who find their view of the movie blocked by the flight attendants trying to serve them fish or chicken.

240 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1996

About the author

Pierre Francis de Marigny Berton, CC, O.Ont. (July 12, 1920 – November 30, 2004) was a Canadian historian, writer, journalist and broadcaster.


From narrative histories and popular culture, to picture and coffee table books to anthologies, to stories for children to readable, historical works for youth, many of his books are now Canadian classics.

Born in 1920 and raised in the Yukon, Pierre Berton worked in Klondike mining camps during his university years. He spent four years in the army, rising from private to captain/instructor at the Royal Military College in Kingston. He spent his early newspaper career in Vancouver, where at 21 he was the youngest city editor on any Canadian daily. He wrote columns for and was editor of Maclean's magazine, appeared on CBC's public affairs program "Close-Up" and was a permanent fixture on "Front Page Challenge" for 39 years. He was a columnist and editor for the Toronto Star, and a writer and host of a series of CBC programs.

Pierre Berton has received over 30 literary awards including the Governor-General's Award for Creative Non-Fiction (three times), the Stephen Leacock Medal of Humour, and the Gabrielle Leger National Heritage Award. He received two Nellies for his work in broadcasting, two National Newspaper awards, and the National History Society's first award for "distinguished achievement in popularizing Canadian history." For his immense contribution to Canadian literature and history, he has been awarded more than a dozen honourary degrees, is a member of the Newsman's Hall of Fame and a Companion of the Order of Canada.