Political books for Christmas

Just Watch Me, the second volume of John English's biography of Pierre Trudeau, is bound to be a big seller this season.  Here, in the latest issue of Policy Options, is my review/recommendation for the book. Download JustWatchMeReview

But if Trudeau's life story isn't your idea of holiday reading, Policy Options also has a raft of other reviews and recommendations, by some interesting reviewers. 

Environment Minister Jim Prentice, for instance, writes about The Ice Passage, by Brian Payton.

This is a book that will heighten your respect for the cruel history of the Canadian Arctic. It will also provide context for both the practical and policy challenges posed by our vast North.

Anthony Wilson-Smith, former editor of Macleans, now with Canada Post,  has written about Sarah Jennings' book on the National Arts Centre. (A book I'm dying to read too.) He calls the story  a "love letter" and   notes:

It also mirrors the larger story of the role of the arts on the national political scene, including the way it has tied into everything from national unity issues to a showcase for bilingualism to a battleground for internecine political wars.

And Geoff Norquay, of Earnscliffe, has written a trio of reviews, covering the new offerings by journalists Peter Mansbridge, Margaret Wente and Rex Murphy. Geoff's review is almost as much fun to read as the books he describes.  

 I'll be putting up some more book recommendations in the days ahead, but this is the first instalment.

Comments

[ray Heard]

May I add Iggy's favourite -- Brian Lee Crowley's Fearful Symmetry? Iggy disagrees with the thrust, which is against soft, touchy-feeley Liberalism since 1968, but says its a brilliant, provocative tome. I agree.