King: William Lyon Mackenzie King-A Life Guided by the Hand of Destiny

by Allan Levine

William Lyon Mackenzie King, twice former Prime Minister of Canada, was a brilliant tactician, was passionately committed to Canadian unity, and was a protector of the underdog, introducing such cornerstones of Canada’s social safety net as unemployment insurance, family allowances and old-age pensions. At the same time, he was insecure, craved flattery, became upset at minor criticism, and was prone to fantasy—especially about the Tory conspiracy against him. King loosened the Imperial connection with Britain and was wary of American military and economic power. Yet he loved all things British and acted like a praised schoolboy when British Prime Minister Winston Churchill or U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt treated him as an equal.

This first major biography of Mackenzie King in 30 years mines the pages of his remarkable diary, at 30,000 pages one of the most significant and revealing political documents in Canada’s history and a guide to the deep and often moving inner conflicts that haunted Mackenzie King. With animated prose and a subtle wit, Allan Levine draws a multidimensional portrait of this most compelling of politicians.

Genres: History, Biography, Canada, Politics, Nonfiction, World War II

515 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2011

About the author

Allan Levine was born in Winnipeg in 1956 and received a Ph.D. in history from the University of Toronto in 1985. He is the author of 10 non-fiction books that have examined a wide-range of political, social and economic issues. He has delved into Canadian, European, American and Jewish history. He has also published five historical mystery novels, including Evil of the Age and four books featuring Sam Klein. He has been freelancing articles and reviews for more than 30 years. He frequently contributes to the National Post and for the past six years has been writing a column for the Winnipeg Free Press, Now & Then, which looks at the history behind current events. In all of his work, he aims to bring the past alive and reflect on history's lessons.

Reviews

[Mikey B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Page 135 Leo Amery First Lord of the Admiralty in 1923

I formed the impression that King’s chief aim was to avoid committing himself to anything.

Page 218

Charles Dunning … returning to political life [in the 1930s] … reminded himself that he would have to confront King, “that charming, polite, hospitable and inert mass”.

Mackenzie King has been Canada’s longest serving prime minister. To put that into perspective here are the dates when he was prime minister (from website Canadainfo) :

December 29/1921 – June28/1926
September 25/1926 – August 7/1930
October 23/1935 – November 15/1948
(in all 21 years, 5 months, and one day)

He was prime minister and leader of the Liberal Party during crucial periods of world history – the Great Depression and World War II. Retrospectively he was said to be a dull individual with minimal leadership skills and being unable to make clear-cut decisions. This is partially true, but to remain in power for so long in such contentious times with a country that was always threatening to fracture along linguistic lines (English and French) was no easy task.

Page 225

Having innately understood [in 1935] that the Liberal party’s policy of having no policy “was a much smarter avenue to pursue”.

Overall, the author is sympathetic to King; however, he doesn’t overlook his many quirks and eccentricities, of which there were many. The man needed therapy.

Page 268

A kibitzer and one of the boys Mackenzie King was definitely not.

This biography provides many insights into both the personal and political life of King. King was an academic, He studied at the University of Toronto (political economy and law), University of Chicago, Harvard and the London School of Economics. He received his PhD from Harvard. He worked as a journalist – and in 1909 was appointed as Canada’s first Minister of Labour at the age of 35. Thus began his role in Canada’s government.

Beginning at the age of 18 King kept a diary (page 12). It ran to some 30,000 pages! Or 7.5 million words. This is telling in itself. It is filled with all sorts of minutiae – of slights (perceived or otherwise), daily trivia of friends, family and politicians. King noticed everything. He kept extensive notes on his spiritualist beliefs and sessions – of his communications with those close to him who were deceased. More on this later. King analyzed and interpreted his dreams to excess.

The author quotes passages from King’s diary and they are well-written. One is left wondering where he found the time, more so when he was prime minister to do all this writing. To say he was self-absorbed would be an understatement.

King was a bachelor all his life. He did date several women, but whenever the relationship became intense, beyond the stage of the initial romance, King would pull back. There was some kind of psycho-sexual inhibition that prevented him from forming a permanent loving union. Instead, he developed attachments and enduring friendships with older and married women, avoiding the stress and commitment of marriage and love. Also, any woman he dated would have to compete with Mommy-dearest. He kept a picture of his mother close-by and referred to her constantly in his diary.

He spoke with his mother (who died in 1917) at the many spiritualist sessions he attended to summon the dead. King favoured several spiritualists, mostly women, and they summoned, aside from his mother, other family members and friends, former prime minister and mentor Wilfred Laurier, and eventually Franklin Roosevelt after he died in 1945. King even managed, through the spiritualist to summon his deceased dog, Pat, to whom he had been fondly attached.

These sessions were a constant throughout King’s life. Even when he travelled to England, he met a spiritualist there. Most of these seances seemed to reinforce King in the life he was leading.

Page 236

In Mackenzie King’s world, nothing ever happened by accident [like dreams or even the time on a clock had significance].

These spiritualist sessions involving voices and knocking on wood were kept secret from the public until after King’s death in 1950. It should be noted that spiritualism was very popular during and after World War I when so many young men died (some whose bodies were never found). Family members were looking for solace and wished some form of contact with their dear departed. Many prominent figures went for spiritualism – among them Arthur Conan Doyle, the famous author of Sherlock Holmes stories.

In 1911, the Liberal Party was defeated and King found himself without a job. He was then recruited by the billionaire John D. Rockefeller as a labour conciliator. The Rockefeller family had undergone considerable criticism due to the viciousness they used to suppress unions, which had led to many deaths. Rockefeller wanted to improve his public image. King was largely successful at this. For example, the Rockefeller Foundation was set up. King and Rockefeller became life-long friends. The main word here is “conciliator”. This would be King’s role throughout his political life – to slowly manage different individuals or groups and bring them together, whether it be in his political cabinet or assuaging the nationalists in the province of Quebec.

King redefined the ties with the British Empire. While there is no doubt he admired the monarchy and commonwealth, he worked hard to break away from the colonial mentality of Empire. During the Second World War he did not want Churchill directing the use of Canadian troops. He wanted consultation. Canada was logically drifting under the influence of the growing American colossus (page 476: in 1943, Canada had a population of 11.8 million, compared with the United States with 136.7 million). This growing American impact was inevitable.

The author outlines how King managed the conscription dilemma during World War II. English Canada wanted conscription and French Canada was opposed to it,

In 1947 (page 383) King passed the “Canada Citizenship Act”. Before everyone in Canada was considered a British citizen. After this Act was passed, all became Canadian citizens.

King also introduced (page 344-45) many social programs like the family allowance bill, old age pension, improved unemployment insurance, and to a lesser extent health care.

Page 344 by the 1940s

Canadians now considered it a fundamental right that the state had a duty to look after them.

King did treat his aids abominably. He would take credit for the work done by others.

Page 263

King liked feeling sorry for himself and in his self-centered bubble he rarely appreciated the diligence and effort of those around him.

Slights were not forgotten nor forgiven.

This is an excellent and very readable biography weaving in King’s many idiosyncrasies along with his political astuteness.

Page 406

King devoted every ounce of his time and energy to strengthening the Liberal Party and pursuing an agenda that appealed to, or at least did not offend the greatest number of voters … kept national unity always at the forefront of everything he did, no matter how long it took him to do.

Page 407

King had a vision of a united and compassionate Canada.

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading “King: William Lyon Mackenzie King: A Life” by Alan Levine. Levine presented a balanced view of a most complicated and eccentric man. Levine took advantage of King’s personal diaries to show the private thoughts of the man as well as the public life. History would have a different view of King if the diaries had not been released to the public. The release was against the wishes of King. The book is well written and meticulously researched.

King (1874-1950) was the longest serving Prime Minister of Canada. He served as PM from 1921 to 1926 then from 1926 to 1930 and lastly from 1935 to 1948. King was elected to the House of Commons in 1908 and was a member of the Liberal Party. Levine covers King’s life from birth to death. King got his law degree in 1896 from University of Toronto. He studied under Jane Addams at the University of Chicago and then transferred to Harvard where he obtained a master in political economy in 1898. In 1909 he got his Ph.D. from Harvard University.

I was amazed that such a successful politician that led Canada through the Great Depression and WWII suffered from depression and had what Levine calls obsessive-compulsive tendencies. According to Levine, King believed in Spiritualism, which was very popular form the 1890 to 1940s. This was all revealed in the diaries.

Levine points out that King was not a great orator nor was he charismatic but he was the ultimate skilled politician. During the depression, under King Canada passed the unemployment insurance programs and the old age pension. King is ranked in the top three Prime Ministers. I was surprised at the anti-Semitism in Canada and that when other counties were taking in Jews Canada only took in 5000. The treatment of Canadians of Japanese ancestry during WWII was worse than that of the United States.

Alan Levine is a historian from Winnipeg. The book won the Alexander Ishister Award for non-fiction for 2012. I read this as an e-book on my Kindle app for my iPad. It has 554 pages and lots of photographs.

[Paul Heidebrecht · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm still trying to figure this out. WLM King is the longest-serving prime minister in Canadian history and for three decades (1921-1948) fundamentally shaped the nation. He also kept a meticulous diary which was eventually published after he died. King not only divulged all his insecurities and petty resentments but his extensive involvement with spiritualism. He held seances in his home regularly, invited well-known psychics from around the world,and prayed nightly before a portrait of his mother who helped him make important decisions from beyond the grave. He even treated his dogs as human beings and mourned their deaths more deeply than most of his friends. And yet he was a devout Presbyterian, attended church faithfully, and sincerely believed God had called him to be Prime Minister. I suppose it proves one can be an effective political leader and still be a strange human being, if not someone with major psychological issues.

[Doreen Petersen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read of one of Canada's more colorful prime ministers. It's well worth checking out.

[Carolyn Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

An accessible biography of Canada's longest serving Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King, based on Mackenzie King's diaries and the work of previous scholars. Levine brings Mackenzie King to life as a personality, discussing his various eccentricities, his interest on spiritualism and influences on his personal life and political career including his overbearing mother. The most reprehensible policies of Mackenzie King's time in office are discussed in detail including the internment of Japanese Canadians during the Second World War and refusal to grant asylum to Jewish refugees. There is a brief conclusion analyzing how his managed to hold office for decades despite his numerous flaws and I thought this section could have been expanded. I would also have been interested to read more about his travels abroad and meetings with royalty and world leaders.

[Daniel Kukwa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I continue to find King a disappointing Canadian Prime Minister, and a complete whack-job of a human being. However, there is no denying (1) his impact on Canada...such as it was, and (2) the concise power of this fantastic biography. Beautifully written, full of insight and frankness, and completely lacking the the apologist tinge you'll find in other PM biographies, such as John Boyko's "Bennett". This is an extraordinary, worthwhile read you won't be able to put down.

[Brian Borgford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply Brilliant
A balanced look at the life of one of Canada’s most significant leaders. It may be hard to like the man but you can’t deny his accomplishments and longevity in politics during a period of time when politics appeared more ruthless and uncontrolled than today’s environment.
The author has done a wonderful job of assembling a plethora of relevant information and weaving it into an interesting account of Canada’s history. A great portrayal of the individuals whose names we toss around in reference to the second half of Canada’s first century.
I found it fascinating to read about the early history of people whom I knew as elder statesmen in my younger years.
This is a must read for anyone even remotely interested in the country’s past.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellently written biography of one of our most peculiar Prime Ministers. I enjoyed the large amount of direct experts from Mackenzie Kings diary. It also gives great insight into early 20th century politics.

Who said Canadian history was boring. Hand them this book to read.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where did the interest start that brought me here? In the early '90s when Sandra Gwynne's book the "Private Capital" was made into a TV movie. The young Rex King and his best friend seemed looked the male opposites of Anne of Green Gables and Diana. I've had an enduring interest from then on. Of course, when I was 12 I had no idea what a character he was. But I've traipsed around historic sites and been reading about him ever since.
Levine's biography is definitive, aside from its depth in review of King's life it gives a flavour of Canadian politics, particularly during the period from the First World War through the end of the Second World War. Levine's use of the King journals (something we'll never have again, due to Cabinet confidentiality) give us an inside view of decision making during those years.
One can't overlook King's bizarre behavior, which I felt Levine treated fairly. Even putting aside the spiritualism (as it wasn't used in political decision making) he was clearly selfish and generally out of touch the day to day realities of the average person.
If you're looking for a little light reading, perhaps go the way of Charlotte Gray's "Mrs. King." However, if you really want to know about Mackenzie King, how he shaped Canada, and you have some time on your hands, this is the book for you.

[Julian Haigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Proof that important can be boring. While a true thinker of modern times from his Phd work writing "Industry & Humanity: A Study in the Principles Under-Lying Industrial Reconstruction" to his political machinations to introduce unemployment insurance and old-age pensions, King was a truly big picture thinker and ahead of his time intellectually.

While it may be easy to denigrate him for his interest in seances and the after-life it did not clearly negatively affect his ability to control and operate in life, and may have been advantageous at times. It does however offer an almost brutally human account of a person who struggled with his emotions and poured his heart out in his diaries. It is wholly unfair to dismiss him as a 'nut', but certainly not to characterize him as original as can be.

World War 2, the conscription crisis, keeping Canada together and the King-Byng affair: all take a back seat to this man's relationship to his mother (living and dead), dogs, and awkward social life. When taking a step back though, it is incredibly revealing on the reality of his existence in a way that few biographies attempt (which often sensationalize and create grandiose subjects who, while more interesting to read, may not be as 'real' as a result).

[Brian Burhoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating! We knew King lived an eccentric life -- but he had his moments of genius.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this biography comprehensive and even-handed. It touched on the controversial aspects of King's life, such as his spiritualism and lifelong bachelorhood, without making them the focal point of the story. The author was clear to point out that King did not dabble in spiritualism during the war years. As a Christian, I found much of his spiritual life and his strong sense that God had placed him on this earth for a purpose and to make a difference to be very commendable. It's a bit if a head-scratcher to me how he could hold so many orthodox views yet get into spiritualism. Overall a very interesting read about a man whose 30 years at the helm of the federal Liberal party still influences politics and life in Canada today.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very different look at King from the other biographies I have read. It certainly changed my outlook on King but not my opinion. Levine takes a hard but sympathetic look at the mysticism that seemed to flood King's life. From psychics to dream analysis, mediums and table knocking; this book is a trip! Should Hollywood ever decide to make a film about William Lyon Mackenzie King (and they really should), I pray that this book is the inspiration for that film!

[Wanda Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so well written I'm inclined to read more by Mr. Levine. He presented an extremely fair biography of a complex and well-covered political figure.

[Nathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fairly well fleshed out portrayal of King's life, I certainly appreciated the genuine attempt by Levine to be balanced and genuine. He did not give into the current trend of judging historic figures based on current flavour-of-the-month values and allowed King to speak for himself on numerous occasions.

My main reason for the average and not exceptional rating is that the author spent, in my opinion, a great deal too much time on King's internal dialogues as reflected in his diary compared to the actions King took in his life. His political life, despite functioning as the dominant characteristic of his life, felt like an afterthought at times. The author quickly glossed over years of King's time in office, and major events receive limited, if adequate, attention. The book likely should have been about 100 pages longer to allow for more time focused on actual political accomplishments.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Total quack. But a successful one.

[AnnaBananaBread · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting, well written.