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Don't Tell the Newfoundlanders: The True Story of Newfoundland's Confederation with Canada
The true story, drawn from official documents and hours of personal interviews, of how Newfoundland and Labrador joined Confederation and became Canada's tenth province in 1949. A rich cast of characters--hailing from Britain, America, Canada and Newfoundland--battle it out for the prize of the resource-rich, financially solvent, militarily strategic island. The twists and turns are as dramatic as any spy novel and extremely surprising, since the "official" version of Newfoundland history has held for over fifty years almost without question. Don't Tell the Newfoundlanders will change all that.
393 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2012
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472 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
September 2, 2013
After taking our daughter to Newfoundland to attend school, I became interested in the island's history. This book is a bit dry, with lots of primary source quotations, but the story itself is pretty eye-opening. First of all, early in the Depression years, Great Britain took over running the island because the Newfoundlanders had gotten themselves into so much debt (much of it fighting for the Brits in WWI). Now that alone is kind of incredible. I mean, that would sort of be like Germany taking over Greece right now. Really?? Then, after WWII, Britain connived with Canada to make sure Newfoundland became their newest province. Apparently one motivation was to keep it from becoming another state in the good old USA. There is plenty of intrigue here. It is enough to make you very angry at the way bigger more powerful countries manipulate smaller ones. The Newfoundlanders were some of the nicest people I have ever met (seriously nice!!), so it does kind of get your dander up to hear how they were treated.
April 12, 2013
I wish my father had lived to read this book. He told us the stories and what people thought or knew happened but seeing it documented is unreal. Every son and daughter of Newfoundland ought to read this.
May 25, 2013
This should be mandatory reading in school. A fascinating and terrible part of our history. You'll shake your head in disbelief.
April 1, 2013
Brilliant. A must read for any Newfoundlander or Canadian to truly understand what happened and why Newfoundland joined confederation with Canada and why it is still and will probably remain a sore topic for Newfoundlanders. I would like to thank Greg Malone for sharing James T. Halley's lifetime of work to get the truth out through primary sources. Extremely well-researched, providing a clear understanding of what the British and Canadian really thought and some cases still do think of Newfoundlanders.
June 2, 2022
Presents the story of Newfoundland and Labrador’s Confederation with Canada clearly and concisely, with vivid, and depressing contrast between what an independent Newfoundland and Labrador could’ve been and what it currently is as a Province in Canada.
October 21, 2013
I picked this up as an interest read - I've always had a love for Canadian history. Incredibly well researched and the academic in me was really pleased with the amount of primary sources included as well as 1/3 of the book being endnotes and appendixes.
There's a great overview of the real story of Newfoundland's entry into confederation and the author does a great job utilizing his own research as well as that of his late colleague.
I found it a very accessible to read, so people who are curious about the topic but might not have any background in history or academia will find this book very comfortable to read. But readers well versed will enjoy it as well.
The only critique I can offer is that I would have enjoyed a bit more critical analysis to go alongside the documents.
There's a great overview of the real story of Newfoundland's entry into confederation and the author does a great job utilizing his own research as well as that of his late colleague.
I found it a very accessible to read, so people who are curious about the topic but might not have any background in history or academia will find this book very comfortable to read. But readers well versed will enjoy it as well.
The only critique I can offer is that I would have enjoyed a bit more critical analysis to go alongside the documents.
January 31, 2016
This book should be mandatory reading for anyone interested in the (modern-day) history of the colonization of Canada.
Before I moved to Newfoundland I used to say that Newfoundland was Canada's best kept secret. This book details exactly how true that sentiment was - and not in the way I originally intended it.
Before I moved to Newfoundland I used to say that Newfoundland was Canada's best kept secret. This book details exactly how true that sentiment was - and not in the way I originally intended it.
March 9, 2020
Who should read this book? You must meet all three of these conditions in order to appreciate this book:
(1) You must enjoy history.
(2) You must enjoy political machinations.
(3) You must be either a native Newfoundlander or one who will be visiting for an extended period of time.
Since I satisfy all three conditions, I really appreciated this book. Though I think the book could have been cut in half as there was much repetition of his thesis - that Newfoundland was deprived of political self-determination through a conspiracy involving the UK, Canada, and the US and forced into a confederation with Canada following the end of WW2 - the repetition was helpful due to the fact that the names and facts are not generally well known outside of Newfoundland.
(1) You must enjoy history.
(2) You must enjoy political machinations.
(3) You must be either a native Newfoundlander or one who will be visiting for an extended period of time.
Since I satisfy all three conditions, I really appreciated this book. Though I think the book could have been cut in half as there was much repetition of his thesis - that Newfoundland was deprived of political self-determination through a conspiracy involving the UK, Canada, and the US and forced into a confederation with Canada following the end of WW2 - the repetition was helpful due to the fact that the names and facts are not generally well known outside of Newfoundland.
March 1, 2020
A conspiracy that has come to light. It just goes to shows that politicians rule the world.
December 8, 2019
A good account of our joining Confederation with Canada, a bad way of joining but I am glad that we did.
January 12, 2013
Makes you really angry.
September 12, 2018
Well written and researched.Eye-opening.
April 7, 2017
Every Newfoundlander should read this book!
May 17, 2022
Very detail historical account of how Newfoundland & Labrador became a province of Canada. It's not a good story but one that has to be told.
Newfoundland was a dominion as a sovereign state within the British Empire from the early 1900's to the 1930's. Following the crash of 1929, Newfoundland was in a financial crisis (weren't most countries?) so the Newfoundland legislature (with heavy influence by Britain) voted to be ruled by Britain. In 1934 they were ruled by a Commission of Government (British rule).
By WWII, both the Americans and Canadians had air bases in Newfoundland as it was the perfect stopover between the Americas and Europe. The Americans paid and treated the locals better than the Canadians. Financially, Newfoundland flourished during the war and there was hope that the island could return to self-governing. However, between Britain and Canada, they contrived to move Newfoundland to a province of Canada which the secret documents in this book revealed.
There a National Convention voted NOT to present confederation into Canada as a recommendation for the referenda but Britain overruled this decision. On the first ballot of the referenda, the options were (1) Commission of Government for a period of five years, (2) Confederation with Canada, and (3) Responsible Government as it existed in 1933. Responsible government won but didn't have a majority so there was a second referendum vote This time confederation won. But, who counted the votes? The British. Was this real winner? Maybe, maybe not. There were stories of destroyed ballots.
Were the people of Newfoundland and Labrador given a fair deal? It doesn't look like it from all the shady discussions between the British and the Canadians. This is an interesting yet sad story of political injustice.
Newfoundland was a dominion as a sovereign state within the British Empire from the early 1900's to the 1930's. Following the crash of 1929, Newfoundland was in a financial crisis (weren't most countries?) so the Newfoundland legislature (with heavy influence by Britain) voted to be ruled by Britain. In 1934 they were ruled by a Commission of Government (British rule).
By WWII, both the Americans and Canadians had air bases in Newfoundland as it was the perfect stopover between the Americas and Europe. The Americans paid and treated the locals better than the Canadians. Financially, Newfoundland flourished during the war and there was hope that the island could return to self-governing. However, between Britain and Canada, they contrived to move Newfoundland to a province of Canada which the secret documents in this book revealed.
There a National Convention voted NOT to present confederation into Canada as a recommendation for the referenda but Britain overruled this decision. On the first ballot of the referenda, the options were (1) Commission of Government for a period of five years, (2) Confederation with Canada, and (3) Responsible Government as it existed in 1933. Responsible government won but didn't have a majority so there was a second referendum vote This time confederation won. But, who counted the votes? The British. Was this real winner? Maybe, maybe not. There were stories of destroyed ballots.
Were the people of Newfoundland and Labrador given a fair deal? It doesn't look like it from all the shady discussions between the British and the Canadians. This is an interesting yet sad story of political injustice.
April 28, 2019
A brilliant read! Any Canadian or Newfoundlander interested in Newfoundland and Labradors history must read this book. By sketching the island and people’s history from dominion to colony to province we see the truth behind an untold story of union. Malone weaves together a compelling narrative the great powers of the 20th century interfered with Newfoundland’s self-determination and pushed the island into confederation.
Malone relies heavily on classified documents recently released in London and Ottawa, as well as first hand accounts to develop his thesis. The result points to Great Britain and Canada working to get Newfoundland into confederation.
While the last little bit of the book is unsubstantiated (that the governor tampered with the results), and some actions appear to be relatively normal policy decisions Malone presents a painstakingly researched book that should be viewed in a critical light to evaluate Newfoundland’s relationship with Ottawa.
An excellent and easy read for anyone interested in Canadian history. It’ll make you think critically of Canada’s position during the referendum, challenge your assumptions about Newfoundland, and leave you win more questions than answers.
Malone relies heavily on classified documents recently released in London and Ottawa, as well as first hand accounts to develop his thesis. The result points to Great Britain and Canada working to get Newfoundland into confederation.
While the last little bit of the book is unsubstantiated (that the governor tampered with the results), and some actions appear to be relatively normal policy decisions Malone presents a painstakingly researched book that should be viewed in a critical light to evaluate Newfoundland’s relationship with Ottawa.
An excellent and easy read for anyone interested in Canadian history. It’ll make you think critically of Canada’s position during the referendum, challenge your assumptions about Newfoundland, and leave you win more questions than answers.
October 17, 2025
When I first read it newly arrived in this province I found it hard to take seriously, with what seemed to me a rather heavy-handed criticism of England and Canada. It came as little surprise to learn that Newfoundland's own interests were hardly considered in backroom negotiations between the UK and Canada over the disposition of England's former colony turned Dominion turned back to colony again... But I picked it up again to finish it recently and after seven years here and after grappling with the details I was rather dismayed at the way the basic political rights of the population were more or less trampled, and effectively betrayed not just by the UK and Canada but by the very person (Joey Smallwood) who many Newfoundlanders went on to revere for decades. Remarkably he seems to have colluded to (for example) discourage the British from offering a good deal to his fellow Newfoundlanders in order to force them into Canada.
Also noteworthy and surprising to me - Ches Crosbie (the first one, and part of a very prominent Newfoundland merchant and political family) initially fought at least briefly for Newfoundland to join the US in 1948.
Also noteworthy and surprising to me - Ches Crosbie (the first one, and part of a very prominent Newfoundland merchant and political family) initially fought at least briefly for Newfoundland to join the US in 1948.
May 19, 2018
In interesting read which, with the use of recently released government documents (secret telegrams, etc.) indicates the British and Canadian manipulation behind Newfoundland's Confederation. I appreciated the amount of primary sources included.
I do think the work is oversimplified - Malone presents Newfoundland's union with Canada as purely the result of a British-Canadian plot, in a book which adopts the too-easy trend of always incriminating the British and that has "conspiracy-theory" written all over it. While significant British-Canadian manipulation occurred to make Confederation a viable option, the fact remains that approximately fifty percent of Newfoundland's population chose to vote for Confederation for their own reasons (the idea that the vote was tampered with is the least convincing section of this work as there is no official evidence to support it.)
However, it was an interesting read, which, while drawing heavily upon primary sources, was accessible and interesting to the average reader.
I do think the work is oversimplified - Malone presents Newfoundland's union with Canada as purely the result of a British-Canadian plot, in a book which adopts the too-easy trend of always incriminating the British and that has "conspiracy-theory" written all over it. While significant British-Canadian manipulation occurred to make Confederation a viable option, the fact remains that approximately fifty percent of Newfoundland's population chose to vote for Confederation for their own reasons (the idea that the vote was tampered with is the least convincing section of this work as there is no official evidence to support it.)
However, it was an interesting read, which, while drawing heavily upon primary sources, was accessible and interesting to the average reader.
December 9, 2020
Malone, whom some will recognize from his role as the marvelously shady and eccentric Finn from Republic of Doyle, put considerable effort into shining light onto a complex and little-known piece of Newfoundland/Canadian history. He credits Newfoundland lawyer James T. Halley with doing the real work--amassing hundreds of official documents and conducting interviews to collect a detailed and chronological history of the 1949 Confederation, the events leading up to it, and its aftermath. Newfoundland's great strategic worth from a military and economic standpoint made it a bargaining chip after WW2, with Britain badly in debt to Canada; Canada offering Britain a loan, and in return, Britain would help ensure that Newfoundland, under British control since 1933, would become a province of Canada. Malone makes a good case that the subsequent referendum put to the people's vote, was likely corrupt, with ballots being burned and ultimately passing with a very narrow margin in favor of Confederation. An intriguing read from start to finish.
May 29, 2025
As a nationalist Newfoundlander, I believe this book should be required reading for every, single person in our province. It’s a hell of a journey that isn’t covered in high school history class, I tell ya.
Hell of a journey, indeed…..if you can finish it.
This book is BORING! It reads like a dictionary. Malone includes millions of excerpts from documents, letters, newspaper articles, etc that would be fascinating if you knew who any of the writers were. But if you’re not acutely familiar with all players, you’re going to zone out fast! I actually had to google 50% of what I read in order to understand wtf was going on.
Things didn’t start to pick up until Joey Smallwood entered the chat. But by that point, I was so checked out, I was barely paying attention.
I did end up powering through to the end, driven by nothing but my Newfoundland pride. But FAWK….it was painful. I still believe it should be required reading but, be aware, that you won’t get any pleasure out of it.
Hell of a journey, indeed…..if you can finish it.
This book is BORING! It reads like a dictionary. Malone includes millions of excerpts from documents, letters, newspaper articles, etc that would be fascinating if you knew who any of the writers were. But if you’re not acutely familiar with all players, you’re going to zone out fast! I actually had to google 50% of what I read in order to understand wtf was going on.
Things didn’t start to pick up until Joey Smallwood entered the chat. But by that point, I was so checked out, I was barely paying attention.
I did end up powering through to the end, driven by nothing but my Newfoundland pride. But FAWK….it was painful. I still believe it should be required reading but, be aware, that you won’t get any pleasure out of it.
June 30, 2020
What the bloody hell? I'm too young to know/remember anything about Newfoundland joining confederation. I do remember a childhood of grumblings about Joey Smallwood, how Newfoundland loses everything she has to Ottawa, feeling (still) that Canada is the mainland, being the brunt of "Newfie" jokes all over the world or "why don't you have an accent? Because she's an educated Newfoundlander" and so on and so on.
I don't know a single Newfoundlander that doesn't see themselves as being from Newfoundland first, Canada second. We are PROUD! Hardy, fun, saltwater-loving people rooted to a Rock we love. This book angered me so much. Britain and Canada? Not cool.
It does read as a history book (which if you like that sort of thing is wonderful, it includes secret memos from Britain and Canada regarding what to do with Newfoundland (without asking Newfoundland) I'd love to see this as a film.
I don't know a single Newfoundlander that doesn't see themselves as being from Newfoundland first, Canada second. We are PROUD! Hardy, fun, saltwater-loving people rooted to a Rock we love. This book angered me so much. Britain and Canada? Not cool.
It does read as a history book (which if you like that sort of thing is wonderful, it includes secret memos from Britain and Canada regarding what to do with Newfoundland (without asking Newfoundland) I'd love to see this as a film.
April 29, 2023
Probably not the best introduction to a topic about which I knew so little. The author has an agenda, and is also not an historian. If nothing else, he could have used an editor. I did slog through it, and did some supplementary reading in a few more balanced sources. Certainly a fascinating bit of history involving not just the British Empire and the Canadian government, but the United States in some really interesting ways. As an American and a fan of Newfoundland, I couldn’t help imagining what could have been if Newfoundland had become a state instead of a province! Yes it was discussed and there were those who favored the idea. Apparently during World War 2, American servicemen in Newfoundland really took to the place. And I can understand why.
November 11, 2019
A good challenge to the traditional and official story of Newfoundland's joining of Confederation. The main concern is that it would be unlikely to be accepted by academic historians because of the clear bais the author has towards the evil and wicked Canadians and British who sold out the just democracy of the people of Newfoundland. However, this clear opinion gives the book more flavour, and narrative wise sets it a few bars higher than more drier historical texts. Furthermore, some reviewers have accused the author of creating a clunky and dry text due to their frequent use of large direct block quotes. However, this move is partly genious because it balances the dramatic accusations put foward by the author. On their own the authors words sound like borderline fake news and a conspiracy theory. With the direct quotes, the injustice of the events of 1949 and before are shown in the direct voices of the people and nations behind say events. Furthermore, it is a relatively short read with a large punch.
May 7, 2020
It is a rarity that I don't plod through a book, no matter how tough or esoteric or whatever...but I confess I gave up on this one. It was just too dry, I was mindlessly reading & I finally had to stop forcing myself. Interesting topic to be sure, perhaps an article, not a full-length book on this subject would have been enough for me. Have been to Newfoundland, a dream trip, & it is a beautiful place but this book just couldn't hold me.
August 2, 2020
If you are from Newfoundland you should read this book, one friend of mine suggested this be part of mandatory curriculum in our schools.
If you aren’t from Newfoundland and want to read a historical example of conspiracy and collusion that reads like a fiction but sadly is anything but, this would be a great book for you to.
This is as far away from my typical genre of books - fantasy mostly, but I enjoyed it very much none the less.
Well done Sir.
If you aren’t from Newfoundland and want to read a historical example of conspiracy and collusion that reads like a fiction but sadly is anything but, this would be a great book for you to.
This is as far away from my typical genre of books - fantasy mostly, but I enjoyed it very much none the less.
Well done Sir.
September 2, 2021
My mom was a Newfoundlander, and I've visited family there years ago. My visit has impacted my life in that I have a life long love for the Island and Newfoundlanders. I had no idea that confederation was obtained by such a deceitful, undemocratic manner. Newfoundlanders were never treated with the respect they deserved. The book both angered me and moved me to tears. The truth that needs to be told.
July 9, 2024
This book makes my heart hurt for my home province, onetime country. What was, what could have been, and the lies in between. I’m writing this review not long after the repatriation of the Unknown Soldier to the War Memorial in St. John’s from France. What would he say about the untold story of the death of a chunk of his generation and how it helped his country to be tossed around like a bargaining chip? The effects reverberate until this day, and we don’t even talk about it.
July 8, 2025
While a bit dry and chock full of historical documents, this is a well-written book and one that made me so angry that I had to walk away from it for awhile. As it happens, I've been listening to a series of podcasts called "The Rest is History" and they've been telling the story of Ireland from the first world war to the 1960's. Imperialism does not come across well in either of these situations and the similarity between the way that Ireland and Newfoundland are treated is illuminating.
June 30, 2023
This book was educational and I am glad I read it. I have lived the majority of my life away from Newfoundland but I was born there and still call it home. Thank you Greg Malone for this book. I am happy Newfoundland became a province but I find it sad how it happened. This book is history and it should be known.
May 12, 2021
If you want to know the full story of how and why Newfoundland joined Canada, this is the book for you. A very engaging read. The decision was made before the people had a choice and when they did, it didn't matter anyway. It was a done deal.
March 10, 2022
An important part of Canadian history that needs to be told. The book can get quite dry and akin to a textbook at times but that is the nature of a story like this. The last few chapters were very engaging.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews