Who Killed The Canadian Military?

by J.L. Granatstein

A Phyllis Bruce Book.

A quick, clear, fact-packed summary of fifty years of strategic misconceptions, political opportunism, financial temporizing, honest error and sheer folly.

Genres: History, Canada, Nonfiction, Military Fiction, War, Politics

272 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Jack Lawrence Granatstein is a Canadian historian who specializes in Canadian political and military history. Granatstein received a graduation diploma from Royal Military College Saint-Jean in 1959, his Bachelor of Arts degree from the Royal Military College of Canada in 1961, his Master of Arts degree from the University of Toronto in 1962, and his Doctor of Philosophy degree from Duke University in 1966.

Reviews

[Marshall Chapman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Informative, but dry. We need part two! Written during Iraq, we need a volume two.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well-written and enlightening “Who Killed the Canadian Military” looks at how the military - air force, navy and army - were unified for economic reasons but over the years the government has continued to reduce the defense budget, hasn't replaced old equipment, and has seen a break down in recruitment. Once a leader in peacekeeping missions the Canadian military now ranks 34th. Well -researched on a subject that every Canadian should be knowledgeable about and look for the government to rectify, it would interesting to have a follow up to this information from 2003 to the present day.

[Jason · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a harrowing book to read in 2025, where you can see that a lot of the problems that the author noted by the end of the book still continue to exist within the CAF. The author seems to be well informed on Canada's military history, and describes an accurate history of the slow decline of the CAF. However, this book reads more as a newspaper opinion piece, than rather a book I would feel comfortable referencing for specificities.

[Matt Kostiuk · Rating 2 out of 5]

Old white guy complains about other old white guys.

[Phillip Sawyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent look at the decline of the Canadian military after WW2 and what can be done to help the military to recover. A good read.

[Michael Dorosh · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very nice, readable volume. Grantstein's years of research in the field (not to mention his own military experience, which comes to the fore for the first time) have culminated in this very well done survey of how the Canadian military has evolved in the last 100 years.



The book is straightforward, written in simple language, and is logically laid out into several distinct "eras". He discusses both the military atttitudes of the time, and the policies of the government. He is even handed (for instance, he concedes many of the positive aspects of integration while at the same time identifying the harmful effects of Unification) and at the same time ruthless.



Unlike many critiques, Granatstein ends up with some constructive suggestions. Readers might like to compare and contrast his conclusions with those in TARNISHED BRASS, which also has a prescription for reviving the military.



The latest version of this book carries us up to Paul Martin's election victory and was therefore rather current at the time the book was published.



Recommended, probably moreso than Bercuson's SIGNIFICANT INCIDENT which also covers the same topic, and much less muckracking than TARNISHED BRASS.

[Aaron M · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this persuasive if polemical read, Granatstein takes to task sundry Canadian governments -- Liberal and Conservative alike -- for having undermined and overextended Canada's military. In considering Canadian peacekeeping efforts, the author suggests that Lester Pearson's much lauded notion of a peacekeeping military force was misguided and that most Canadians are mistaken as to just what peacekeeping represents. The author also explores the consequences of the unification of the elements. Ultimately, Granatstein argues persuasively for increased fiscal support for the military accompanying a shift in the focus of its interests.

[Jonathon Laudinsky · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pretty informitive about how the Canadian army, navy, and airforce came together for economic reasons to form the single branch of the Canadian Forces. The author reminisces with pride about the past of the Canadian military and how Canada was always the first to follow Great Britain into war.

[Chinook · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not sure I agreed with him often, but I certainly learned a great deal. Bought because the author was once my father's university professor.

[Nathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written and articulate, with a clear passion for Canada and our place in the world. Unfortunately, the strength of the argument is undercut by a bias interpretation of statistics and some manipulation of the presentation of stats. The book sometimes sacrifices legitimate argument on the altar of hyperbole and fervor.