Tag: book review

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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.

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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.

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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.

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