Stephen Harper And The Future Of Canada - Hardcover

Johnson, William

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0771043503 ISBN 13: 9780771043505

Publisher: Douglas Gibson Books, 2005

Synopsis

There has never been a book about Stephen Harper, yet on June 28 he came close to being our prime minister. If Paul Martin miscalculates, Stephen Harper could be our next prime minister in months, not years.

Who is this man? Everyone knows that he became leader of the Alliance Party and, against all odds, gathered in the old Conservative Party to create a force designed to win power, coming very close in 2004.

Yet what are his core beliefs? To what extent does he agree with his party's social conservatives, who scared away voters in the last election? Where will he take us if he gets power?

William Johnson has researched the Harper family background and the historical context that shaped his political career. He paints a fascinating picture of a man who, like Pierre Trudeau, trained mentally for political power like an athlete training for the Olympics, yet is not a natural politician and never really wanted the political leader’s life. By studying Harper’s approach to the main issues in Canadian politics, he shows that Harper is a sophisticated political operative, far more complex and intellectual than the right-wing Republican image that has been created for him.

This is a serious, objective political biography, short on gossip but long on clear discussion of Harper’s political views – and how he got them. Johnson’s message? Don’t underestimate this man.

About this title

Review

The most important Canadian political book of the year.
"Calgary Herald"
The book does a formidable job of exploring Stephen Harper s mind. It is a first-rate intellectual history. . . . A well-constructed study that shines light on a fogbound public figure at a time when it is most important to know him.
"Globe and Mail"
This is an important book for political junkies and others who are trying to understand recent Canadian political history.
"Halifax Chronicle-Herald"
Thoughtful, thorough and often surprising. . . . the book rests its premises on solid ground.
" London Free Press""

"The most important Canadian political book of the year."
-- Calgary Herald

"The book does a formidable job of exploring Stephen Harper's mind. It is a first-rate intellectual history. . . . A well-constructed study that shines light on a fogbound public figure at a time when it is most important to know him."
-- Globe and Mail

"This is an important book for political junkies and others who are trying to understand recent Canadian political history."
-- Halifax Chronicle-Herald

"Thoughtful, thorough and often surprising. . . . the book rests its premises on solid ground."
-- London Free Press

About the Author

William Johnson is a veteran journalist and columnist with the Globe and Mail, the Montreal Gazette, and many other papers. He has been researching this book on Stephen Harper for a year.

About this edition

• Publisher: Douglas Gibson Books
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 0771043503
• ISBN 13: 9780771043505
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 418