Stephen Harper and the Future of Canada [Paperback]

William Johnson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 19, 2006

William Johnson was the first to write a book about Stephen Harper, and he has become the authority on Harper.

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. Yet what are his core beliefs? Where will he takes us now that he has gained power?

William Johnson has researched the Harper family background and the historical context that shaped Harper’s 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.

For the paperback edition, Johnson has updated this serious, objective biography with several new chapters taking us right up through Harper’s early days in power.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

William Johnson's Stephen Harper and the Future of Canada sets out to dispel the myths and explain the facts about the leader of the official opposition. By his own admission, Harper is not comfortable with the typical role of political leader as baby-kissing, photo-op-seeking figurehead, and Johnson suggests that the reason for his unflattering portrayals in the media is his reluctance to do what's expected of such a figure. "An unusual trait for a politician," Johnson writes, "is his conviction that correct policies are more important than tactics for winning support and achieving power." If nothing else, Johnson maintains, Harper should be admired for standing by his convictions, unaffected by public opinion polls and influence from his own advisers, even when a degree of compromise might have increased his popularity.

The author chronicles with detail Harper's political beginnings, his stint--and his ensuing disenchantment--with the Mulroney Progressive Conservatives, the events that led to him becoming a key architect of the Reform party, and his rescue of the Canadian Alliance, which led to the merger with the Progressive Conservatives to create the new Conservative Party that he led into federal elections against Paul Martin's Liberals in 2004. With a different leader at the top but Harper behind the scenes, Canadians might very well have elected a Conservative government in 2004: one cannot help but feel from Johnson's account that Harper would be better appreciated as a back-room policy director, a role he may not relish, but may be essential if he is to continue in politics. --Eric Wilson --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 512 pages
• Publisher: Douglas Gibson Books (September 19, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0771095546
• ISBN-13: 978-0771095542
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 1.3 x 8.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,518,172 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars No Hidden Agenda, July 10, 2005

By 

Marsha Skrypuch (Brantford, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Stephen Harper and the Future of Canada (Hardcover)

This is a well-written book, full of anecdotes and about an interesting subject. Many people claim that Stephen Harper has a "hidden agenda" but when reading about his life, it is easy to see a consistency in vision and a steadfast dedication to making Canada a better place for all Canadians, not just the political elite. Mr. Harper is brilliant and that comes out loud and clear in this unauthorized biography. Mr. Harper also is clearly a man with integrity and honesty. That greatest asset is also his biggest handicap, because Canadians are so used to the "what's in it for me?" style of politics that they have trouble understanding the integrity of Mr. Harper. I hope his critics will take the time to read this excellent book.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars even an American loves this book, September 12, 2006

By 

Aaron Stromberger (Spokane, WA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Stephen Harper and the Future of Canada (Hardcover)

this book was originally assigned to me for a Canadian politics class, but I never got around to reading it until after I graduated. It's a solid book - it really portrays the leadership style of Stephen Harper in the context of an ever-contentious Canadian political history. Johnson does a superb job of displaying Harper as a leader unrivaled in his vision for Canada. For Americans like myself, it's a great book to gain a better grasp on major Canadian political issues such as regionalism, Constitutional politics, and of course, Quebec separatism, among others. Go for it!

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Future of Canada, February 25, 2006

By 

Benjamin R. Seaman - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Stephen Harper and the Future of Canada (Hardcover)

Great book. Seemed to be written from an objective view point - and I really appreciate that. I came away from this book with a better understanding of Prime Minister Harper and a better hope for the future of Canada.