Category: Book Reviews

I read a lot of Canadian and American political books. Many of them are “unconventional” and don’t make the best seller lists. I will review them and give you the opportunity to decide if you want to get yourself a copy and read it yourself.

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From Protest to Power by Bob Rae

Rae, Bob.  From Protest to Power Personal Reflections on a Life in Politics.  1996, Viking.  First edition, Dust jacket.   304 pages.  Signed by former Ontario Premier and Federal Liberal leader Bob Rae.

Political memoirs (okay…probably all memoirs) are the author’s attempt to make sure that their legacy is framed in the way that they want.  They need to be taken with a grain of salt.  And, yet, for me…they are like crack cocaine.  I can’t get enough of them, and I have a hard time putting them down.  I do roll my eyes a lot at the authors interpretation of events (in the case George W. Bush’s “Decision Points” I actually laughed out loud).  When all is said and done, they are must reads for every political junkie.

This book is no exception to that rule.  Having been published in 1996, it only covers the period up to, and including his time as Ontario’s first (and only) New Democratic party Premier (confession time…I cannot wait for the inevitable volume 2).

It begins with his family’s early life in Canada and England.  It moves into his own early life.  It moves to his time at University, including his meeting and becoming roommates with a young Michael Ignatieff.  It discusses his time in school in England.  He comes back and goes to law school.  Here, his lifelong fight for his version of social justice begins.

He soon enters politics.  His time as a federal NDP MP and as opposition leader is interesting.  Fun Fact:  He moved the motion that brought down the Clark government AND the motion that brought down the Miller government (regardless of your political inclinations, you have to consider that cool – in both cases, it led, ultimately, to Liberal majority governments).

Going into the 1990 election, all the polls made it look like the Liberals would safely retain their majority.  All the parties saw it, including the NDP.  It would be Rae’s third election as leader.  He expected his party to lose and that he would retire soon after.  However, something happened.  During the course of the campaign, the polls shifted.  The NDP appeared in the lead.  The results held, making Bob Rae Premier.

The remainder of the book, Rae presents his version of events while he was premier.  He passionately defends what most consider a failed premiership.  For example, “Rae Days” are a form of job protection.  The broken promise on auto insurance was another form of job protection.  The scandals and resignations, were chalked up to inexperience.  Interspersed, he takes swipes at his successor, Mike Harris.  He does this by contrasting his government’s compassion with Harris’ bull in a China shop approach.

I love political memoirs.  This book was no exception.  I recognize that he’s trying to protect his legacy, and, yet, reading his perspective does, in fact, provide a view that, in some cases, I hadn’t considered.  All in all, this book is a must read for all the political junkies out there (as will be volume 2, when it comes out).

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Reagan An American Story by Adriana Bosch

Bosch, Adriana.  Reagan An American Story.  2000, TV Books.  Second Edition.  Softcover.

Last week I pointed out that I really like political books by or about figures that haven’t, yet, achieved the highest office that they’re going to attain.  This week, I’m reviewing one from a category that I don’t, usually enjoy.  This book is based upon a TV documentary from The American Experience series.  I’ve found that books made from documentaries or movies tend to be superficial and less well written (those of you that have read Pierre Trudeau’s Memoirs and seen the video know EXACTLY what I’m talking about).

There are obvious reasons for this.  A documentary or movie has to flow to hold it’s audience.  It would be impossible to include everything of interest or even everything of importance.  That’s the downside to this book.

Lou Cannon, a reporter out of Los Angeles, has written three major works on Reagan.  He was interviewed extensively for the documentary.  As such, he is referenced a great deal for this book.  Having read his books, this felt like a Coles Notes version of what he has already done.

A big plus for me is that I haven’t seen the documentary.  That made this more interesting.  The American Experience was given a great deal of access to the Reagan family, and, as a result, Reagan insiders.  This provided an insight that other books haven’t had.

The book gleans over every component of his life.  His early life in IL.  His move to Ohio.  His being “discovered” by Hollywood.  His service during the war.  His time as head of the union (fun fact…Ronald Reagan is the only former union president to ever become President of the United States…this isn’t, specifically, noted in the book, but, I still find it a fun fact).  It moves to his work for General Electric and his support for Barry Goldwater in 1964.

The book then goes into his campaign for Governor of California.  It briefly discusses some of the highlights of his administration (though, some opponents do offer contrary views).

From the state house to the White House.  It touches on his runs for the Presidency and goes into highlights of his time in office.  If focuses on a few key areas.  It really doesn’t go into much detail.

The story concludes with his letter announcing his diagnosis with Alzheimer’s.

The book concludes with people reviewing his legacy.

The book is, by no means, an academic treaties.  It is, however, a fun read that gives a quick back ground of America’s 40th President.  If you’re looking for a quick read that gives some insight into the man then this book is for you.  Enjoy.

To See Ronald Reagan items available in the Shoppe CLICK HERE!

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Joe Clark The Emerging Leader By Michael Nolan

Nolan, Michael (photographs by Ted Grant).  Joe Clark The Emerging Leader.  1978 Fitzhenry & Whiteside Ltd.  First Edition, softcover.  139 pages.  Signed by Joe Clark.

This was a fun book.  Some of the most interesting books are ones by or about politicians before they reach the peak of their power.  This is one of those.  Published in 1978, it came out a year before Joe Clark would rise to the office of Prime Minister.

It should be noted that this book should not be used in any academic work.  It is more of a photographic book with a narrative interwoven among the pictures.  Don’t expect any great incites.  Don’t expect to learn the inner workings of an office in any great detail.  Don’t expect to gain detailed information of Joe Clark’s policies.  What you can expect is a quick read with some amazing photos.

The book begins with a chapter on the 1976 leadership campaign and the convention.  The author calls it “Everyone’s Second Choice”.  It’s an appropriate title.  As is pointed out, Clark never led until the final ballot in which he won.

From there, the book moves back to Clark’s early live.  His time in Alberta, his time in Ottawa, his return to Ottawa and his election and return to Ottawa.

It moves to the period after his election as leader.  It shows a sample period of his schedule.  It demonstrates the changes he sought to make within his party to ensure it’s election in the next election (to see more of the Liberal preparations see last weeks blog).  It shows his leadership style.  It shows his personal life with his young daughter.

The really fun part is the pictures.  The photographer clearly had access to Mr. Clark.  There are some amazing pictures of all aspects of the inside workings of Mr. Clark’s office.  There are also some great private pictures including some of him with his family.

It is for these latter reasons that I enjoyed this book.  The writing provides little insight into the man or the party he led.  It is clear, though, that the author had access inside the inner circle.  For this reason, the book is an interesting read.  The pictures offer a rare glimpse into the inside of the early Joe Clark years.  The words that accompany them are fitting and useful.  Though a quick read, it was a fun read.

Overall, as a result of great pictures, I would definitely suggest taking a look at this book.

To see the Joe Clark items in the Shoppe CLICK HERE!

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Grits by Christina McCall-Newman

McCall-Newman, Christina.  Grits An Intimate Portrait of the Liberal Party.  1982 Macmillan of Canada, First Edition, Dust Jacket.  It is signed by the author.

This book is a special kind of book.  I say this because of the way many who would pick it up, choose to read it.  It’s an “insiders” book which means that many who read it, don’t start at the beginning and read it through.  Instead, they start at the index to see if their own name appears.  Insiders, though they stay in the back rooms of politics, do want recognition.  If you considered yourself to be anybody in the Liberal Party of Canada in the 1960’s or 1970’s, you would start with the index.

The book begins with a background of the bureaucratic growth of the Government of Canada, which, given the dominance of the Liberal party, also meant the growth of a Liberal bureaucracy.  It does this by looking at the years from 1935-1957, years which Canada was governed by two Liberal Prime Ministers, William Lyon Mackenzie King and Louis St. Laurent.

The book really takes off with the arrival of Lester Pearson to the leadership of the party.  The party was decimated in the 1958 election.  This allowed new people to step in and change the direction of the party.  This is exactly what happened.  A primary focus is placed upon Walter Gordon and his followers within the party.  This period reflects a move to the left of the political spectrum for the party.  In the end, the Pearson-Gordon relationship falls apart.

Under the party’s new leader, Pierre Trudeau, a new bureaucracy emerges…The Office of the Prime Minister.  It is here that men such as James Coutts and Keith Davey flourish.  The imperial premiership was born.

If you are a fan of process books, then this book is a great read.  In fact, if you enjoy any aspect of the machinations of the back rooms of Canadian politics, you will not be disappointed.  Where you might find it falling short would be if you’re looking for an actual history of the party.  It goes into great detail on specific individuals within the governing bureaucracy, but does’t really reveal much of the overall history beyond the specific individuals under focus.  In the author’s defense, I do not believe that this was the goal.  Overall, it delivers exactly what the full title promises…this is a true intimate portrait of the Liberal Party of Canada in the 1960’s and 1970’s.

To see Liberal Party of Canada items CLICK HERE!

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Extraordinary, Ordinary People by Condoleezza Rice

Rice, Condoleezza.  Extraordinary, Ordinary People A Memoir of Family.  2010 Crown Archetype (no indication of edition), 342 pages, Dust Jacket.  Signed by the former Secretary of State.

I’m going to ruin the ending of this book review…I REALLY enjoyed reading this book and would encourage everyone who hasn’t done so, to do so.

This book is not a political memoir.  In fact, in ends with her being asked to become the national security adviser.  It is a story of a black woman (and her family) growing up in Alabama during some of the worst of 20th century segregation.  More often than not, where she discusses policy, she goes to lengths to note her disagreements with current Republicans on issues such as affirmative action.

I consider myself well read on most aspects of Canadian and American political history and history at large…especially 20th century history.  After reading this book, I realized that there is still a great deal that I don’t know.

The book is about Ms. Rice’s life up until she accepts a major position in the White House under President George W. Bush.  She lived in area and era where Blacks and Whites did not live together or shop together.  Yet, her parents went out of their way to ensure that her upbringing would appear (to her, at least) to be as normal as possible.

She also goes into great detail about her extended family, such as her aunts, uncles and cousins.  In a difficult circumstance, the entire family came together and worked together.  Many of the family and their friends were deeply involved in the civil rights movement in the 60s.  Others chose to participate in less public ways.  She was raised to believe that all people were equal.  Turn the other cheek.  Everyone can succeed if they are willing to make the effort to do so.  This is what she learned from the “Extraordinary, Ordinary People” in her life.

What makes this book so enjoyable is that it is a real life story of how one person overcame a difficult circumstance (made difficult through no fault of her own, or anyone around her).  She had a support system in place and used it.  She persevered.  She rose to serve the highest office in the land.  She never suggests that she did it on her own.  What a great message for all who start out at a disadvantage.

I would encourage everyone to go out and get this book and read it.

P.S.  Her first vote for president, in 1976, went to Jimmy Carter, the Democrat.  It’s REALLY not a partisan book.

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A Conservative History of the American Left by Daniel J. Flynn

Flynn, Daniel J.  A Conservative History of the American Left.  2008, 1st Edition, 456 pages, Dust Jacket, Crown Forum.  Signed by the author.

The title of the book is the classic example of “what you see is what you get”.  This is exactly what Mr. Flynn does with his work.  He’s clearly a conservative, and this is his history of the American left. Mr. Flynn presents snippets of US history.  He starts his work before the Declaration of Independence, with the period around the pilgrims.  He ends it in the post 9/11 world (which he refers to as the “9/12 left”).

He begins his tale by taking us through a series of experiments in the US where individuals set up communities or communes.  In each instance, he points out that the lack of incentive is what led to its failure.

This part takes up a good third of the book. He moves, from there, into the suffragist movement and the anti-slavery movement.  He highlights the conflict and contradictions within the two movements.

He moves into the evolution of socialist and communist parties.  Within this context, he also discusses the evolution of the New Deal under Franklin Roosevelt (to see Franklin Roosevelt items CLICK HERE).  He points out the national security risks created by the left, and that were allowed to be created by the left within the context of these parties within the cold war.

From there, he discusses the anti-war movement, and the various protest/revolutionary groups that popped up at that time, including the Black Panthers and the Weathermen.

He shifts, at this point, to morality, addressing issues such as abortion and the environment.  He used these issues as an overall attack on the left and their use of the courts to do things that cannot, in his opinion, do through legislation.

Finally, he addresses the new left in the post 9/11 climate.  He views that new left as taking on an anti-American stance, justifying actions taken against the US in this context.

So…should you go out and read this book?  He does an excellent job of picking examples of where he feels the left has failed throughout the history of the United States (of course, it’s all a matter of perspective).  He’s very selective in the areas that he looks at.  It appears that he began with a title and then looked for examples to prove his thesis.  Regardless of your ideological leanings, he does present some interesting elements of US history.  If you read it with a discerning idea and remember his bias before you start, it can be an enjoyable read.  If you’re a conservative looking for ammunition to bolster your own arguments, it will be an enjoyable read.  If you’re a supporter of the left, if you’re looking for a positive, in theory, in can provide a guide of what not to do (and, in some instances, what to do).  I would not call this a fair history.  Having said that, as I said in the beginning, the author states his bias right in the title.  This is A Conservative History of the American Left.

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