Warlords: Borden, Mackenzie King, and Canada's World Wars

by Tim Cook

Two portraits flank the doors leading into Canada’s House of Commons: those of Sir Robert Borden and William Lyon Mackenzie King. But it is the plaques that are of particular interest. Borden’s caption reads: “World War I War Leader, 1914–1918,” and King’s caption is similar: “World War II War Leader, 1939–1945.” No other dates are given. Defining Borden by his wartime leadership makes sense, since he did little of note before the war, but it does not ring true for King, Canada’s longest-serving prime minister. Yet for both, world wars shaped their careers and legacies. They ushered in massive government changes: income tax, health care, and conscription; changes to society through industrialization, enfranchisement, and patriotic unpaid labour; and they raised enormous armed forces from a civilian base.
Warlords is a fast-paced narrative that humanizes the war effort through the eyes of these prime ministers. By creating this unique double portrait, the multiple-award-winning Tim Cook describes the challenges faced by two politicians in extreme circumstances and offers an invaluable perspective of war and war leaders.

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

488 pages, Paperback

First published September 25, 2012

About the author

Tim Cook (1971 in Kingston - October 26, 2025) was a Canadian military historian and author.
Dr. Tim Cook was the Chief Historian & Director of Research at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa, and a part-time history professor at Carleton University. He has also published several books about the military history of Canada during World War I.

Dr. Cook is a member of the Order of Canada.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Cook...

Reviews

[Loraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tim Cook’s books look heavy and intimidating. I keep buying them and then being afraid to start reading, afraid it will be too much for me. But he is the only author since Pierre Berton to spark my interest in Canadian history. Now that I have finished Warlords I can’t say enough about how accessible his writing is, I’m thoroughly a fan, pleasantly surprised, relieved, anxious to read more.

How do you run a country when war breaks out? You didn’t sign up for this and your country is not imminently threatened. Neither of Canada’s wartime PMs were charismatic leaders but they got the job done above all expectations. For me it was eye opening, fascinating history. I have read quite a bit about the two world wars so I was able to place the narrative alongside the timeline of the war with the few clues Cook gives us. If I hadn’t, I would be wanting to read up on it now. As it is, I’ll read more from Tim Cook specifically about Canada’s role.

[Marshall Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maybe the best book I’ve ever read in my life: thorough, convincing, and shines a strong light on the conflicted but purposeful gentlemen that were Canada’s two wartime PMs.

[Simon Winquist · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an excellent book, covering the war time leader ship of Canada’s to Prime Minister’s, Robert Borden, and William Lyon Mackenzie

Tim Cook describes both Prime Minister’s leader ship starting with Gordon. We learn about Borden rise as party leader, and then thrust into the great war. Borden used a total war effort. Anything to win the war. It is stated that after the war Canada was never more divided because of conscription and the nightmare of war. Although Borden lead Canada onto the international stage, because of our sacrifices in the war, Canada gain more autonomy.

Tim Cook describes William Lyon Mackenzie‘s rise as party leader, and winning the liberal election. He describes him as a weird fellow who speaks to spirits, but that did not interfere with his political policy during the war McKenzie was cautious, never risking his political party or career. he used his cabinet and colleagues to achieve his goals. He was healed and keeping Quebec happy, which was his political base. He also was able to use his opponents policy and incorporate them into his own, such as social programs for CCF supporters, and guarantees to the war effort for conservative supporters in all Mackenzie King was able to keep the country unity through a traumatic six year war

While both leaders were different and personality and in execution of the war. They both succeeded in their own way to guide Canada and to winning or help winning the two biggest wars in human history.

Overall, this was a good book and I enjoyed reading about this Prime Minister in Canada’s role in the two world wars

[Bernie Charbonneau · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fascinating read by one of Canada’s better historians. Mr. Cook does an admirable job of comparing these two Canadian figures who were thrust into situations that at the time seemed an impossible situation. Of course it is always easy to criticize events after the occurrence and to blast decisions made at such times but Cook does a good job of portraying these two titans during a crises without influencing the reader into a bias of whether the leader’s decisions were right or wrong. I, myself could not for example even imagine having to make a decision on conscription. How both of these two different personalities governed the nation through these terrible times was quite informative while at the same time keeping the reader interested without too much unneeded information. This is a highly recommended book to see how a young nation found its way through a perilous time that was both difficult and catastrophic to its citizens by men in power who’s decisions would last for generations.

[Brentman99 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think that Tim Cook did a great job of making what could have been a very boring subject quite interesting.

I was somewhat familiar with each person and their roles in WWI and WWII, but this book brought out their personalities, their dreams and nightmares in an entertaining way. I never gave a lot of thought to the challenges that each faced in their time, but this book gave me an appreciation.

As a retired army officer, the one thing that I struck me, particularly with King, how both men were out of touch with the losses being suffered by Canadian troops and the lack of control that they had in determining where and how our troops were being used.

Overall, I enjoyed the book and look forward to reading Vimy Ridge soon. Highly recommended.

[Dave White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book.
Changed my appreciation of both men but especially of King.
I didn't think much of him before except his ability to stay in power. After reading this I think that in spite of his eccentricities he is Canada's greatest PM.

[Steve Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating look at Canada's Prime Ministers during WWI and WWII. Mr. Cook writes in a highly readable style that makes history come alive.

[Phillip Sawyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fine story of the two leaders who took Canada through WW1 and WW2. They were flawed men but somehow they succeeded. Very interesting!

[Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading many books about Canadians at war on the front lines and the home front it was interesting to read about the politics behind it. Prime Ministers Borden and MacKenzie King are very different people with different leadership styles yet both were tasks with the job of governing our nation during the biggest conflicts in our history. Borden was someone I knew little about. I found him quite fascinating, how he took a strong stance during the war over such controversial issues like conscription and as all his MP's and back benchers threatened to leave him, he still stood firm with what he believed in. MacKenzie King I will admit I really wanted to learn more about. Did he really contact the dead spirit of his mother and ask her for advice? Apparently the answer is yes. He seemed a most unlikeable man though, the type to pass the buck to someone else rather than owning up to his own mistakes. Although that's not really different from many other Prime Ministers we've had. From dithering about whether Canada would fully join the war effort overseas (he had to ask his mother) to believing that was first provoked into going to war by Poland and then believing he had been killed and therefore there would be no war. Stories like this helped to build his reputation for being a strange, even crazy leader who spoke to the dead and got advice from then on how to run the country. But King was one of our most educated and intelligent leaders and did a lot to turn Canada into a strong more independent nation. But as mentioned he will always be known as the crazy Prime Minister. Overall the book was a good read, very engaging and easy to read, but there were times when it was a bit dry and I had to struggle through it. Those parts were few and I loved learning more about Canada's recent history

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. Tim Cook, in his book "Warlords", compares the Canadian Prime Ministers, Robert Borden and William Lyon Mackenzie King, who had to govern and hold the country together, during the First and Second World Wars. Not only did they deal with supplying troops to help win the wars, but they helped Canada grow from a colony to become the independent nation she is today. Income tax, conscription, aid and benefits for returning veterans, the baby bonus and world wide recognition for Canada's contribution to the war effort are among things, that are taken for granted today, but were introduced by these two men. I highly recommend this book. It is not a cut and dry history volume, since Mr. Cook shows us also, the personal side of the lives of these two great Canadians.

[Maurice Tougas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tim Cooks is Canada's preeminent war historian, but this is my first attempt at reading on of his books. I'm happy to say, it did not disappoint. Cook paints vivid portraits of Canada during the two World Wars, and the men who led her — Sir Robert Borden during WWI, and William Lyon Mackenzie King during WWII. Cook is not just a skilled and meticulous historian, but a fine writer as well (believe me, these two traits do not always go hand-in-hand in Canadian history). Borden and King were two vastly different men, and Cook gives them their due as leaders of a fractious nation in a time of unparalleled crisis and upheaval. Cook has written three other books about Canada at war — The Sharp End, Shock Troops, and The Madman and the Butcher — and based on Warlords, I'll have to get around to reading them all.

[Serge · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Warlords' is an interesting and worthwhile read. Partly through the first part, I was reminded, in the best way, of Barbara Tuchman’s 'Guns of August', which I have treasured as the gold standard of writing about the history of wars in the last century. 'Warlords' has the same economical, dispassionate style, a style ideally suited to the subject matter of Canada’s Borden and Mackenzie King. In trying to do justice to both of these Prime Ministers, Tim Cook succeeds better with Borden than with King, but that is not a criticism. I believe that it is virtually impossible to be completely objective about King, and Tim Cook’s portrait of the eccentric King is certainly compelling. Overall, this is an excellent addition to any collection about Canada’s history.

[Daniel Kukwa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't necessarily agree with the author's evaluation of Canadian wartime Prime Ministers Borden & Mackenzie King...in fact, I could spend hours arguing with him about their value as Canadian war leaders, and (especially with Borden) the terrible domestic legacy bequeathed to the nation, once the guns were silent. That said, I burned through this magnificent, concise, and beautifully researched volume in a single day. It's one of the best works of Canadian history I have read in some time, and each chapter makes for compulsive, evocative reading. Utterly magnificent...in spite of my caveats.

[H Wesselius · Rating 1 out of 5]

Admittedly I didn't finish the book. There's far too many books on my list to waste time on a book which did not hold my interest. His biography on Borden was mere boilerplate history which could've been written by anyone and hence I quit before starting the King section of the book.

I was impressed enough with his Madman and Butcher biographies on Hughes and Currie to read Warlords as long as I did. However, its just not worth it.

[Nina Usherwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Glad I read this book. Despite my interest in both Canadian and Military history, I actually knew little about these two men who likely contributed more to the Canada I live in today than any other Prime Minister in history except for Sir John. These book helped fill holes in my knowledge of two PM that tower above the rest of them.
The two men are almost polar opposites but faced similar overwhelming challenges and lead Canada successfully thru the greatest difficulties.

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book that presents the two prime ministers who appear on our $50 and $100 bills. Cook tries to give a more nuanced view of Mackenzie King, although I'm still left with the impression that he was a ditherer and not a likeable person, although he did manage to keep the country united during the Second World War.

[Shirleyleishmanlives · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like all Tim Cook books, intersting, fresh, sympathetic, excellent.

[Scott Neigh]

Reviewed here.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating double history of two Prime Ministers in WW1 (Borden) and WW2 (Mackenzie King). These political histories give needed home front context to the stories at the front of the war fighters that Cook and Mark Zuehlke detail very well.