Tommy Douglas: The Road to Jerusalem [Hardcover]

Thomas H. McLeod (Author), Ian McLeod (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1987

2004 marks the 100th anniversary of Tommy Douglas's birth, and the beginning of production of a CBC mini-series about his life Tommy Douglas was a Baptist preacher who organized his church as a relief centre for the poor in the hungry 1930s and rose to become a political legend in Saskatchewan, winning five straight majority governments and transforming the province. This acclaimed biography, written by a longtime friend and associate, closely follows his life through his working-class childhood and his boxing and political careers on the prairies to his years of national prominence as an advocate for peace, human rights, and Canadian independence. Douglas chose a hard road: in provincial government and federal opposition, he faced continuing hostility from mainstream institutions and the media. Often, though, his seemingly radical proposals simply anticipated later events. The Saskatchewan government’s medicare program provoked a bitter doctor’s strike and continent-wide controversy in 1961, but the program proved to be a success, and medicare was soon introduced across Canada with the support of all political parties. Tommy Douglas is still remembered as one of the country’s most eloquent orators and as a critic of the status quo. He was passionate in opposition to corporate power and in defence of Canadian nationalism; his refusal to support the War Measures Act during the terrorist scare of 1970 earned widespread condemnation, but is also considered by some to have been his finest hour.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Thomas H McLeod is a Fifth House Books author. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 341 pages
• Publisher: Hurtig Pub; First Edition edition (October 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0888303165
• ISBN-13: 978-0888303165
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 5.9 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,093,861 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book!, November 29, 2010

By 

Gerardo A. Marquez - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Tommy Douglas: The Road to Jerusalem (A Western Canadian Classic) (Paperback)

Great book! masterly written with deep research and knowledge about the great Tommy Douglas. The language is simple but appropiate and everybody can travel easy through the phases of Tommy. I can recommend this book with confidence and in this season is a good tool to understand not only the challenges of the great depression but an approach to public policies to combat poverty and promote growth. Tommy Douglas was not a communist but he tried to establish a welfare state with deep respect of the liberties and private enterprise. If we comment this book we can have deep insight what we need in this times and fight for it!Tommy Douglas: The Road to Jerusalem (A Western Canadian Classic)

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars North American Hero, June 15, 2011

By 

maguire - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tommy Douglas: The Road to Jerusalem (A Western Canadian Classic) (Paperback)

As an American with limited knowledge of Canadian history I was shocked at the accomplishments of Mr. Douglas. Rarely has North American history experienced a politician who provided more for his fellow man, and yet he was only elected Premier of one of the smallest populated provinces in Canada.

No American politician has come even close to replicating the achievements of Tommy Douglas. The list of his achievements for the citizens of Saskatchewan and Canada cannot be chronicled in a simple book review.

Read this book and experience what it is like to see one man press his vision for a more humane and just country while battling the forces who try to keep the majority poor and ignorant. Had Tommy Douglas accomplished this in the United States his head would be on Mount Rushmore!