I just finished Stephen Harper and the Future of Canada by William Johnson and I must say it was quite enlightening.
I was one of those right leaning Canadians who had misunderstood the politics around the formation of the Reform Party and the evolution to the Canadian Alliance. I was also one of those right leaning Canadians who stuck with the PC Party thinking the glory would return. I was also one of those right leaning Canadians who never paid very close attention to the nuances of Canadian politics. (Remember my motto…You can pay attention or pay through the nose. I would rather pay attention.)
This book gave me quite an education and an even greater amount of respect for our Prime Minister.
So I will say that this book is much less of a biography of Stephen Harper than it is a good recent history lesson on the political state of Canada. I found it incredibly educational and at the same time realized that our current Prime Minister was quite a visionary. And this isn’t just because a book says so.
William Johnson does a wonderful job of explaining what was going on and quotes various statements made by Harper before his rise to power. His predictions were right on the mark and the fact that the Liberal party implemented many ideas Harper had pushed for and claimed them as their own was a testament to his vision.
If you have not read this book, it is a must read. Not only for those who already see the light. But moreso for those who believed the Liberals painting him as a big bad wolf.
I give it a 9 out of 10.
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I read it, too. Thought it was basically a piece of crap. No references in the back, no footnotes, no documentation of any sort, really. Sure, you can glean a few facts about the man if you’ve got the patience to wade through the worshipful prose. Harper deserves a better, well-researched, less biased book.
I tend to agree with you, though, that is was a neat little history lesson. I’ve been meaning to pick up Manning’s book to see if anything differs.
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I read that book too. I believe it is an “unofficial” biography, but well done nonetheless. I had borrowed it from the library, and will probably take it out again at some point.
Are there any other reputable biographies about Harper?
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This is on my list of books to read, right after I finish the two I’m currently on: Secret confessions of a PM and Rescuing Canada’s Right
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Jack’s Newswatch
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Unfortunately, there are no other biographies of Harper, reputable or not. At least none that I could find.
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There’s “The Pilgrimage of Stephen Harper” too, although it’s less a biography and more a study of fait in his policy.
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Oh, thanks alot, Mac. Now I’ve got another book on my way-too-long list. Just how, exactly, am I supposed to find the time for that one, too, eh? But did you think about that? Nooooooo…..
:)))
Seriously, thank you very much, I’m looking forward to picking it up.
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I found Lloyd Mackey’s biography much more enlightening than William Johnson’s. To me Johnson spent far too much time on his own personal hobby horse of Quebec Politics. You’d assume that that was Harpers main preoccupation, when if anything it would have been, prior to becoming PM, Alberta’s place in confederation. On the other hand Mackey went into areas you might not know about.
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I JUST FINISHED THE BOOK AS WELL AND THOUGHT IT WAS VERY GOOD. I’M A LONGTIME CONSERVATIVE IN SE ALBERTA AND KNEW OF STEPHEN SINCE THE 80’S. WHAT I HAD BEEN TOLD ABOUT HIM WAS HIS INTELLIGENCE AND INTEGRITY. I HOPE HE GETS THE CREDIT HE DESERVES AND CANADIANS APPRECIATE HIM. HIS WORK DURING THE REFERENDUM WAS GREAT WHILE THE LIBERALS WERE AWOL.
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Umm, it would appear there is more than one Mac around here!! I haven’t read any of the books mentioned… but I will check out the local library!!
-Mac of http://www.enig-mac.blogspot.com/
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Kathi, you must feel very passionate with the caps and everything! 😉
Thanks for all the book recommendations, guys. I’m going to add it to my list.
BTW, another ‘Mac’ was trying to comment on this post and having problems doing so. Just thought I’d let ya know, O.S.
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Up until today, there were only three countries (US, UK, Canada) supporting Israelis in killing of innocent women, children and civilians of Lebanon. After today’s news of even UK backing off this apparent human tragedy and war crime, Canada is now the only country left. Yes ladies and gentleman, at this moment we live in the only country in the whole globe that its head of state hasn’t yet condemns Israel or at least asked for Israeli restrain (somthing that even Bush has done). SAD.
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Made in Ottawa – And the fact that Hezbollah is using human shields does not factor into your judgement, right? And that it is a war crime to do so?
No, I didn’t think so.
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When was the last time an Israeli strapped a bomb to his/her body and walked into a crowded marketplace to kill Muslims? NEVER HAPPENED!!
When was the last time Israelis bombed an embassy or destroyed a mosque? NEVER HAPPENED!!
When was the last time Israelies hid among civilian population and attacked their enemies? NEVER HAPPENED!!
Inconvenient facts for Muslims to explain away…
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Elias Bejjani of the Lebanese Canadian Coordinating Council said he could understand why the Israeli government would consider their actions a legitimate form of self-defence. Bejjani characterized Hezbollah’s provocation of Israel as a “reckless and adventurous action.”
“I’m not sure Israel is targeting civilians. Hezbollah moves from one neighbourhood to another. According to reports we have heard from Christian villages in south Lebanon, Hezbollah come into the villages and fire their rockets: then they run away. And these villages pay the price.”
“Israel’s reaction is massive,: he continued, adding: “But what led to this reaction? Why is Hezbollah on Lebanon’s borders? Why has an armed militia been allowed to patrol a neighbouring country? Why have the Lebanese people let things get to this level? It’s a bizarre stituation; it’s not just black and white.”
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Let’s see if I can post now…