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Common Ground
Justin Trudeau’s candid memoir will reveal to its readers the experiences that have shaped him over the course of his life and show how his passion for Canada and its people took root. Covering the years from his childhood at 24 Sussex to his McGill days during the tumultuous time of the Charlottetown Accord to his first campaign in Papineau to his role as Liberal leader today, the book will capture the foundational moments that have formed the man we have come to know and informed his vision for the future of Canada. Filled with anecdotes, personal reflections, and never-before-seen photographs from his own collection, Mr. Trudeau’s memoir will show how the events of his life have led him to this moment and prepared him for the future. All proceeds from the book will be donated to the domestic programs of the Canadian Red Cross Society that serve local communities and people across Canada that need it most.
343 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2014
121 people are currently reading
1427 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 274 reviews
October 30, 2014
For the past 20 years I have been a Conservative, based mostly on my fiscal views, but I never felt completely right about it, based on my social views. In reading Common Ground I finally realized something very important that had been eluding me. I'm not a Conservative... I'm a Canadian. Justin Trudeau managed to establish exactly what his book promised, common ground. From his stance on freedom and rights, the disparity between the economic classes, community service, youth and unity, we have common ground. Before reading this book, I did not think Justin Trudeau was ready to lead our country. Now, not only do I think he is ready, I know that he is the right person for the Job. I strongly recommend this book to all Canadians, and thank M. Trudeau for sharing his story. Vive un Canada uni!
October 25, 2014
It's not the deepest book, but microscopic depth isn't the point of this volume. The big end-of-career memoir will come when it comes...this book has a different agenda. It's out to introduce a new face, a new approach, a new point-of-view...but one grounded in the influences of the past. It's an easy read, easily understood, and very clear as to how one man sees his role in the future. As a life-long Liberal, I'm more than a little biased on this matter...but this was a refreshing look at politics without rancour and limited partisanship. It's not a surprising book...but it's a comforting one.
January 7, 2016
I am neither a Liberal voter nor a Liberal supporter but I am impressed with Justin Trudeau.
The underlying theme of this book is that Canadians and our representing politicians need to find some common ground. Instead of letting our differences define our interaction we need to find those issues that we agree on and then work together to build ourselves and our country to its full potential.
I found myself nodding and saying "yeah, you're right" throughout a lot of this book. Things that he deems important are also things on which I would like focus...our youth, our resources, building a strong Canada while keeping our diversity.
He seems to want to listen to people which I think may be the most important trait of a politician and one that we are seriously lacking right now. One quote stood out to me. "Canadians don't just want a different government. They want a better government."
We have the power to make that happen...we just need to realize it.
"There is nothing that these Conservatives fear more than an engaged and informed Canadian citizen."
Now I have to go and remove the sticky notes that I put in the book to mark important parts that I wanted to remember. It's gonna take me a while - I used a LOT.
July 9, 2017
For Canada Day I picked up Common Ground by Justin Trudeau. I have been a huge supporter of his since the beginning, and reading this only cemented my admiration for him. The book starts with recalling his childhood and early adult life and how the family he grew up in shaped his values. The second part of the book looks at how those values have defined him as a politician and his internal struggles with deciding to go into politics. I realize this book was written before his run for Prime Minister and was meant to allow Canadians to get to know his as someone other than Pierre Elliot's son.
January 29, 2016
Honest and simply put, Trudeau gives his readers insights into the events of his life that have helped shape him to be the person and politician he is today. This is not a memoir in the traditional sense; I do look forward to reading his eventual memoirs.
For someone who has grown up in the public eye, Trudeau comes off as well-grounded and relatable to the average Canadian, traits that will serve him well on the campaign trail and in office. He presents his life as influenced by his parents, his family and friends, and how his life experiences have shaped his eventual decisions to run for MP and leader of the Liberals, everything from his time at McGill to teaching in Vancouver to his campaign for the nomination in Papineau to his eventual run for leader of the Liberals.
Anyone who doubts Trudeua's ability to lead Canada as Prime Minister needs to read this book, for no other reason than to see the person who wants to help shape Canada to be the best country it can be. By the end of this book, you may still not want to vote Liberal, but you will think twice before you dismiss Trudeau as leader of Canada, and even think that Trudeau may be the kind of person with whom you'd like to have a cup of coffee.
For someone who has grown up in the public eye, Trudeau comes off as well-grounded and relatable to the average Canadian, traits that will serve him well on the campaign trail and in office. He presents his life as influenced by his parents, his family and friends, and how his life experiences have shaped his eventual decisions to run for MP and leader of the Liberals, everything from his time at McGill to teaching in Vancouver to his campaign for the nomination in Papineau to his eventual run for leader of the Liberals.
Anyone who doubts Trudeua's ability to lead Canada as Prime Minister needs to read this book, for no other reason than to see the person who wants to help shape Canada to be the best country it can be. By the end of this book, you may still not want to vote Liberal, but you will think twice before you dismiss Trudeau as leader of Canada, and even think that Trudeau may be the kind of person with whom you'd like to have a cup of coffee.
March 19, 2015
Was hoping he would talk about his family life. Instead it was a long boring sales pitch for why he should be prime minister. What a waste of my time.
July 20, 2015
Further proof that values embodied by parents find a fertile ground to grow in children, Justin Trudeau has built a set of life goals that echo his parents' values that is all his own!
December 9, 2014
Very well written- both as a political book and as a memoir. I believe it delivers a nice mix of his life and his political thoughts, which should be expected given Justin Trudeau is a politician. Furthermore, he lived quite the interesting life, and as a reader was constantly intrigued by what I was reading. Whether you're liberal or other, this could still very well be a great read.
October 24, 2020
I am not particularly a fan of Justin Trudeau because I do not always agree with his political views. However, I realized that I do not know much about him beyond that and so I decided to read a memoir about him to get to know him better.
I have to say that I like him better after reading this book. I have to disagree with some people saying that this does not feel like a memoir but more like a political campaign. It felt like a memoir to me because he talked about his life from childhood to the moment he decided to lead the liberal party. It is impossible not to include politics in his memoir when they are such a huge part of his life growing up (his father being a PM) and deciding to lead the liberal party later in life. I did not mind reading about his campaign and his motives for wanting to run for political office.
My favourite part was when he met his wife Sophie. It was really touching the way he described her. I also liked reading about his childhood and his mother's struggle with bipolar and the stigma around it.
Did I agree with Trudeau on everything? Absolutely not, but do I know him a bit better and like him better after reading this book? Yes.
I think it is important when we look at politicians as humans separately from the political aspect because we relate to them more that way.
Overall, I definitely recommend this book for any Canadian or non-Canadian who'd like to know more about Trudeau and how he came to become the PM of Canada.
I have to say that I like him better after reading this book. I have to disagree with some people saying that this does not feel like a memoir but more like a political campaign. It felt like a memoir to me because he talked about his life from childhood to the moment he decided to lead the liberal party. It is impossible not to include politics in his memoir when they are such a huge part of his life growing up (his father being a PM) and deciding to lead the liberal party later in life. I did not mind reading about his campaign and his motives for wanting to run for political office.
My favourite part was when he met his wife Sophie. It was really touching the way he described her. I also liked reading about his childhood and his mother's struggle with bipolar and the stigma around it.
Did I agree with Trudeau on everything? Absolutely not, but do I know him a bit better and like him better after reading this book? Yes.
I think it is important when we look at politicians as humans separately from the political aspect because we relate to them more that way.
Overall, I definitely recommend this book for any Canadian or non-Canadian who'd like to know more about Trudeau and how he came to become the PM of Canada.
September 3, 2015
If I didn't love Justin before I sure love him now. Even if one is not into politics this book was written in a way that you didn't get confused about what was going on, while giving the reader and good idea of how Justin plans to change this country. I still firmly believe that Justin is what this country needs. If you're iffy on whether Justin will do well for this country you definitely need to read this book.
April 17, 2019
"Ningún líder real puede ver a las personas a su alrededor como criaturas estáticas. Si no puedes ver el potencial que tienes de las personas que te rodean, es imposible despertarlos a grandes cosas. Esa puede ser una de las razones por las cuales, incluso ahora, siempre hago tiempo para una novela o dos cada mes, entre montañas de trabajos serios y notas informativas. Los hechos pueden alimentar el intelecto de un líder. Pero la literatura alimenta el alma".
September 11, 2017
JT & I have lived parallel lives for a long time. This book was like visiting with an old friend whom I have never met, and explains his brilliant approach to rebuilding the Liberal Party. If he is indeed successful, I believe he will go down in history for being an even better PM than his dad.
January 23, 2016
Je mentirais si je disais que la lecture a été pénible. La vérité, c'est que j'avais de la difficulté à le déposer à partir du moment où je me plongeais dedans. Il faut dire que j'ai un faible pour les récits de soi et sans être de la même famille politique que Trudeau, il reste intéressant de suivre son cheminement. Difficile cependant de ne pas sourire ou lever les yeux au ciel devant certains passages maladroits ou trop candides qui tentent d'établir un lien entre une expérience passée et son discours d'aujourd'hui. À titre d'exemple, un souvenir de ses 12 ans alors que son père l'avait emmené à Delhi:
"J'étais assis à l'arrière d'une voiture gouvernementale qui était coincée, comme le reste du cortège, sur une grande route à l'extérieur d'une des villes d'Asie les plus grandes et les plus animées. (...) En jetant un coup d'oeil par la vitre de côté, j'ai vu un vieil homme debout à côté de sa bicyclette qui attendait que le cortège se remette en route pour traverser la rue. Il avait le visage ridé par l'âge et semblait résigné à subir ce genre de dérangement. Je me rappelle l'avoir regardé pendant ces quelques secondes où nos chemins se sont croisés et avoir ressenti un étrange pincement au coeur à l'idée que je ne connaîtrais jamais son histoire: d'où il venait, où il allait, quelle était sa vie, quels étaient les événements, les rêves, les angoisses qui le rendaient tout aussi réel et important à ses yeux que je l'étais pour moi-même. J'ai été frappé par le fait que lui et moi n'étions que deux parmi les milliards d'habitants de la planète. Chacun méritait d'être reconnu comme un individu à part entière et chacun avait une histoire à raconter." p. 58
On apprend également qu'il a été hipster avant le temps à Brébeuf dans l'espoir d'impressionner les filles qui y faisaient leur entrée en 5e secondaire:
"C'est alors que j'ai commencé à porter des bretelles vert fluo, un jean et une cravate avec des flamands roses - sûrement pas la meilleure décision de ma vie. Mon but était d'adopter une attitude ironique, mais je n'y suis jamais tout à fait arrivé." p. 88
Et que dire de ce passage où il relate son entrée à McGill en littérature:
"Beaucoup de jeunes hommes et femmes se cherchent ainsi, vers le début de l'âge adulte, quand ils arrivent à l'université avec un état d'esprit idéaliste. Ils se mettent aussitôt à chercher des réponses à de grandes et graves questions comme «Quel est le sens de la vie? Comment pouvons-nous bâtir une société meilleure? Qu'est-ce qui entrave la justice sociale?» Cette quête mène de nombreux étudiants intellectuels vers des idéologies totalisantes comme le marxisme dogmatique ou la théorie de l'objectivisme d'Ayn Rand." p. 111
J'ai tout de même appris à connaître un homme moins superficiel qu'il n'y paraît. Il reste cependant exaspérant de le lire sur les enjeux de souveraineté du Québec qu'il réduit à de la simple mauvaise foi. Il n'est pas étonnant non plus de le voir passer vite sur le scandale des commandites ou encore de le voir ne pas aborder du tout la question de la corruption, ne serait-ce que de manière générale, qui est liée au parti qu'il dirige.
Pas de grandes révélations dans ce livre mais une authenticité qu'il serait malhonnête de passer sous silence. On sent également une réelle préoccupation pour les enjeux féministes qui remonte à ses engagements étudiants à l'université. Restera à voir comment ça se traduira réellement dans la vraie vie.
"J'étais assis à l'arrière d'une voiture gouvernementale qui était coincée, comme le reste du cortège, sur une grande route à l'extérieur d'une des villes d'Asie les plus grandes et les plus animées. (...) En jetant un coup d'oeil par la vitre de côté, j'ai vu un vieil homme debout à côté de sa bicyclette qui attendait que le cortège se remette en route pour traverser la rue. Il avait le visage ridé par l'âge et semblait résigné à subir ce genre de dérangement. Je me rappelle l'avoir regardé pendant ces quelques secondes où nos chemins se sont croisés et avoir ressenti un étrange pincement au coeur à l'idée que je ne connaîtrais jamais son histoire: d'où il venait, où il allait, quelle était sa vie, quels étaient les événements, les rêves, les angoisses qui le rendaient tout aussi réel et important à ses yeux que je l'étais pour moi-même. J'ai été frappé par le fait que lui et moi n'étions que deux parmi les milliards d'habitants de la planète. Chacun méritait d'être reconnu comme un individu à part entière et chacun avait une histoire à raconter." p. 58
On apprend également qu'il a été hipster avant le temps à Brébeuf dans l'espoir d'impressionner les filles qui y faisaient leur entrée en 5e secondaire:
"C'est alors que j'ai commencé à porter des bretelles vert fluo, un jean et une cravate avec des flamands roses - sûrement pas la meilleure décision de ma vie. Mon but était d'adopter une attitude ironique, mais je n'y suis jamais tout à fait arrivé." p. 88
Et que dire de ce passage où il relate son entrée à McGill en littérature:
"Beaucoup de jeunes hommes et femmes se cherchent ainsi, vers le début de l'âge adulte, quand ils arrivent à l'université avec un état d'esprit idéaliste. Ils se mettent aussitôt à chercher des réponses à de grandes et graves questions comme «Quel est le sens de la vie? Comment pouvons-nous bâtir une société meilleure? Qu'est-ce qui entrave la justice sociale?» Cette quête mène de nombreux étudiants intellectuels vers des idéologies totalisantes comme le marxisme dogmatique ou la théorie de l'objectivisme d'Ayn Rand." p. 111
J'ai tout de même appris à connaître un homme moins superficiel qu'il n'y paraît. Il reste cependant exaspérant de le lire sur les enjeux de souveraineté du Québec qu'il réduit à de la simple mauvaise foi. Il n'est pas étonnant non plus de le voir passer vite sur le scandale des commandites ou encore de le voir ne pas aborder du tout la question de la corruption, ne serait-ce que de manière générale, qui est liée au parti qu'il dirige.
Pas de grandes révélations dans ce livre mais une authenticité qu'il serait malhonnête de passer sous silence. On sent également une réelle préoccupation pour les enjeux féministes qui remonte à ses engagements étudiants à l'université. Restera à voir comment ça se traduira réellement dans la vraie vie.
August 6, 2016
I don't have any public figures in my group of friends or family. So, reading biographies of important people naturally exposes me to stories about lives of people that I would otherwise never come across.
Honestly, I have started reading biographies only recently. When I was younger I used to think that simple reiteration of someone's life would be too boring to make it worthwhile reading. I would crave for mysteries, out of the world fiction books and such to fill up my reading time.
But, as we grow we realize, that only the top tier of the society would fly Virgin to the Moon, or spend on their Birthdays amount that we would earn per year. So, their stories by themselves makes better fiction stories than the War of Worlds by HG Wells.
Anyway, closer to the point.
This book would be a good read for those who are sceptical of Justin Trudeau's abilities and think that he became a political figure because of his father. Yes, being a son of ex-Minister certainly gave him a push: he had the right people around him ever since he was a toddler and maybe he did pull strings here and there .But, that fact alone, can only be seen as one of the MANY strengths that he had while running for the Political Leadership. He was also very hardworking, a teacher and had experience working for other organizations.
The one line that I would take away with me from Trudeau's Biography: A Country can be great not in spite of its Diversity ,but because of its Diversity.
He strongly believes in Multiculturalism. And, honestly, I am excited,after reading this book, like with no other Political Leader ,where his 'New Age' promises would take our Country in the next few years.
Enjoy!
I
Honestly, I have started reading biographies only recently. When I was younger I used to think that simple reiteration of someone's life would be too boring to make it worthwhile reading. I would crave for mysteries, out of the world fiction books and such to fill up my reading time.
But, as we grow we realize, that only the top tier of the society would fly Virgin to the Moon, or spend on their Birthdays amount that we would earn per year. So, their stories by themselves makes better fiction stories than the War of Worlds by HG Wells.
Anyway, closer to the point.
This book would be a good read for those who are sceptical of Justin Trudeau's abilities and think that he became a political figure because of his father. Yes, being a son of ex-Minister certainly gave him a push: he had the right people around him ever since he was a toddler and maybe he did pull strings here and there .But, that fact alone, can only be seen as one of the MANY strengths that he had while running for the Political Leadership. He was also very hardworking, a teacher and had experience working for other organizations.
The one line that I would take away with me from Trudeau's Biography: A Country can be great not in spite of its Diversity ,but because of its Diversity.
He strongly believes in Multiculturalism. And, honestly, I am excited,after reading this book, like with no other Political Leader ,where his 'New Age' promises would take our Country in the next few years.
Enjoy!
I
November 1, 2015
One thing becomes clear when reading this autobiography/manifesto. Consistency. Trudeau has been saying the same thing for years now, hammering on the same points from at least 2007 right up to the final days of the 2015 election and beyond. He has a traceable track record of standing up for the same ideals and ideas time and again and I found nothing in this book that would point to a change in those ideals any time soon. His "common ground" method of problem solving should appear unique to Canadians because it's made up of his hopeful, "sunny ways" approach to politics which other leaders have either abandoned or forgotten how to do.
My only problem with this book is I expected more stories from his childhood in Ottawa and travelling around the world with his father. I can only guess that he didn't want to dwell too much on the past and that growing up as he did, possibly those experiences were only normal to him and therefore did not stand out in memory enough to be committed to the written page.
Over all it was a fairly easy read and one that just reaffirmed for myself that Canadians made the right choice for Canada and we won't be disappointed.
My only problem with this book is I expected more stories from his childhood in Ottawa and travelling around the world with his father. I can only guess that he didn't want to dwell too much on the past and that growing up as he did, possibly those experiences were only normal to him and therefore did not stand out in memory enough to be committed to the written page.
Over all it was a fairly easy read and one that just reaffirmed for myself that Canadians made the right choice for Canada and we won't be disappointed.
August 9, 2016
Actual Rating: 3.5
This was interesting. I just wanted to read something by a politician once, and now I have. I like learning about how growing up as the Canadian Prime Minister's son was like. It is also a great journey through his childhood to the present because he is Canada's new Prime Minister. It was cool to learn more about him and see the journey. Overall, a good read.
This was interesting. I just wanted to read something by a politician once, and now I have. I like learning about how growing up as the Canadian Prime Minister's son was like. It is also a great journey through his childhood to the present because he is Canada's new Prime Minister. It was cool to learn more about him and see the journey. Overall, a good read.
May 4, 2015
I thought this book was going to be more of an autobiography and less of a "these are all the reasons I'll make a good prime minister" kind of book. that being said, I did enjoy the book and I learned a lot along the way. I would recommend to those interested in Canadian politics.
February 3, 2017
The dawn of the Trump presidency is either the best or worst time to read this book. An easy read, as I share many of the opinions of the author. And he just seems so genuine and NICE. Can we merge America and Canada now?
September 7, 2017
Overall a very interesting and enjoyable read. I must admit to liking the fact that he mentioned Ponoka, Alberta in some of his select speeches mainly because I was there when he spoke to the audience in that town. I liked reading about his childhood and what made him decide to run for leader.
January 16, 2015
Enjoyed reading about Justin Trudeau"s upbringing but not his repetitive and simplistic pro Liberal propaganda especially towards the end of the book.
July 5, 2018
ZzzzzzzzZzzzzzzzZzzzzzzzZzzz
December 22, 2018
Ջասթին Տրյուդոյի գիրքը սկսվում է իր մանկությունից և ավարտվում ըստ էության այն տեղում, որտեղից հետո նա դառնալու էր Կանադայի վարչապետ։ Սա առաջին դեմքով գրված կենսագրական է, որտեղ Տրյուդոն փորձել է հնարավորինս անկեղծ պատմել իր մասին։ Նա չի էլ թաքցնում, որ չի ունեցել սովորական մանկություն. ինչպե՞ս կարող էր ունենալ, երբ հայրը Կանադայի ամենաերկարակյաց վարչապետերից մեկն էր, չի էլ թաքցնում, որ կենցաղային խնդիրներ չի ունեցել, բայց չի էլ հպարտանում դրանով։ Փոխարենը նա փորձում է ցույց տալ, որ իր համար էլ, դժվար է եղել կողմնորոշվել աշխատանքի հարցում, մասնագիտության ընտրության, մարդկանց հետ շփումներում։
Տրյուդոն մանրամասն պատմում է նաև իրենց ընտանեկան ողբերգության մասին։ Նրա կրտսեր եղբայրը մահացել է լեռներում՝ դահուկ քշելու ժամանակ։ Մարմինն այդպես էլ չեն գտել։ Դրանից հետո Ջասթինը խոսում է քաղաքական առաջին քայլերի մասին, առաջին պարտության, առաջին դիմադրության, առաջին սխալների։
Գոնե ինձ համար չափազանց հետաքրքիր էր գրքի վերջին մեկ երրորդը։ Այդտեղ Ձասթինը պատմում է, որ հերթական խորհրդարանական ընտրություններից հետո ըստ էության կուսակցության առաջ կանգնում է մեկ հարց. ի՞նչ անել. փակվել, թե շարունակել։ Ու չափազանց հետաքրքիր է այդ առումով հենց Տրյուդոյի կարծիքը։
Եթե ցանկանում եք իմանալ Կանադայի մասին, այդ երկրի քաղաքական ու տնտեսական խնդիրների, ներկայիս վարչապետի անցյալի ու ներկայի մասին, սա չափազանց հարմար ընտրություն է։ Գրքում, առանձին ներկայացված են Տրյուդոյի բացառիկ լուսանկարները՝ ընտանեկան արխիվից։ Իսկ վերջում՝ նրա լավագույն ելույթները, որն առանձին ընթերցանություն է այն մասին, թե ինչպես պետք է խոսի ժամանակակից առաջնորդը։
Տրյուդոն մանրամասն պատմում է նաև իրենց ընտանեկան ողբերգության մասին։ Նրա կրտսեր եղբայրը մահացել է լեռներում՝ դահուկ քշելու ժամանակ։ Մարմինն այդպես էլ չեն գտել։ Դրանից հետո Ջասթինը խոսում է քաղաքական առաջին քայլերի մասին, առաջին պարտության, առաջին դիմադրության, առաջին սխալների։
Գոնե ինձ համար չափազանց հետաքրքիր էր գրքի վերջին մեկ երրորդը։ Այդտեղ Ձասթինը պատմում է, որ հերթական խորհրդարանական ընտրություններից հետո ըստ էության կուսակցության առաջ կանգնում է մեկ հարց. ի՞նչ անել. փակվել, թե շարունակել։ Ու չափազանց հետաքրքիր է այդ առումով հենց Տրյուդոյի կարծիքը։
Եթե ցանկանում եք իմանալ Կանադայի մասին, այդ երկրի քաղաքական ու տնտեսական խնդիրների, ներկայիս վարչապետի անցյալի ու ներկայի մասին, սա չափազանց հարմար ընտրություն է։ Գրքում, առանձին ներկայացված են Տրյուդոյի բացառիկ լուսանկարները՝ ընտանեկան արխիվից։ Իսկ վերջում՝ նրա լավագույն ելույթները, որն առանձին ընթերցանություն է այն մասին, թե ինչպես պետք է խոսի ժամանակակից առաջնորդը։
February 24, 2025
Great read. The lessons learned by the Liberal Party after 2012 and observed by Mr. Trudeau in the book are certainly worth revisiting today.
April 10, 2016
Because one of my daughters has been going to school in Canada, I was aware that the Liberal party candidate, Justin Trudeau, had ousted the Conservative Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, in the Canadian election last October. His name was familiar to me because his father, Pierre Trudeau, was Prime Minister when I was a child. (My very first pen-pal lived in Montreal. My adventurous parents had loaded three kids into a station wagon, pulling a pop-up tent camper, and had driven from Kentucky to Montreal for Expo '67. I met my pen-pal that summer and we spent a day at the Expo together. When you have a pen-pal, that is, when you come to know someone in another country, that country is always of interest to you. Thus, when Pierre Trudeau became Prime Minister the following year, in 1968, I noticed. Even though I was young, I do remember that he was considered to be an intellectual and that he married a beautiful, much younger woman.) I watched the very brief (by US standards) campaign last year and wondered if Canadians were as prone to political dynasties as Americans appear to be. When I started to read more about young Mr. Trudeau and what he stood for, I thought, "wow, this guy sounds quite sensible". Then Mr. Trudeau visited President Obama last month and I decided to find out more about the guy, especially after some Americans half-jokingly asked him if the USA couldn't just share him with Canada, make him a sort of leader of both countries. I wanted to learn a bit more about him and this book filled the bill. It is a pretty straight-forward account of his life up through 2014, which would just pre-date his election as Prime Minister. There is quite a bit in the last quarter of the book about Canadian politics, with mention of many names with which I was unfamiliar, but all-in-all it was a beneficial read in helping me find out more about what's going on with our neighbor up north. Once more, I have such admiration for Canadians. While the US election cycle has been one of the most shrill and bizarre I can remember, Mr. Trudeau seeks to find, as the title of his book proclaims, "common ground". Mr. Trudeau had so many advantages growing up. He met some major world figures (Margaret Thatcher, President Reagan, Princess Diana, among others) when he was quite young. But his childhood had challenges too. There was a nearly thirty year difference in his parents' ages and his mother, who was diagnosed years later with bipolar disorder, left the family when her three sons were still young. He does note that while his parents' relationship with each other didn't work, both were very caring parents and the three brothers spent time with each parent. Mr. Trudeau lost one of his brothers, Michel, who was killed in an avalanche while skiing in Canada, and he reflects on that sorrow. Mr. Trudeau also held some very diverse jobs, such as school teacher and bar bouncer, before getting into politics. Oh yes, and he is fluent in French, is a boxer, and practices yoga. He is an intriguing and apparently charismatic fellow, but this autobiography is modest and direct. I came away with the impression that the experience-rich background his life has afforded had formed a well-rounded leader and it made me a little envious of our northern neighbors.
If you google his name, you will find loads of articles, but I thought this one was generally informative:
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/13/mag...
If you google his name, you will find loads of articles, but I thought this one was generally informative:
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/13/mag...
November 29, 2015
I read this after Justin Trudeau swept his way to an amazing victory in the 2015 election. At this beginning of this (LONG) campaign, I had given my vote to Tom Mulcair. But after watching each debate, and listening to these two men speak, I found myself shifting completely. Tom Mulcair seemed tired, old, out of touch with me. Justin Trudeau, I thought, became better and better in each debate, and his campaign of optimism and positivism completely won me over. I voted Liberal -- enthusiastically!
So, I needed to know more. By the victory sweep, I was almost star struck. I was hungry for more of his story -- more than I knew from growing up as a Canadian with the small-c celebrity on the landscape.
I enjoyed the read. It's well written and easy to truck along with. I've previously read Jean Chretien's and Joe Clark's autobiographies, and both are interesting, but very business- and politics-heavy. This book is extremely personal. By the end I really felt like I knew him personally (which of course I do not). And while at times I thought there may be "too much information" (did I need to know he was on Accutane as a teen?), I concluded by the end that it's all these very personal details that makes this book a success. As one friend said, it feels like you could have Justin and Sophie over for dinner, and it wouldn't be weird.
And you know? That's a breath of fresh air. Here we have a Prime Minister that feels like ME, or as much as any PM can. He's squeaky clean, yes -- barely a germ on the guy -- but the book seems honest and I feel convinced. And I feel optimistic! Heck, I'm even considering joining the Liberal party officially! All because of Justin Trudeau -- and this book was the clincher for me. I enjoyed the read and recommend it if you want to know more about the guy in charge for the next 4 (and more?) years.
(And of course he was ready. Give me a break. Just watch him.)
So, I needed to know more. By the victory sweep, I was almost star struck. I was hungry for more of his story -- more than I knew from growing up as a Canadian with the small-c celebrity on the landscape.
I enjoyed the read. It's well written and easy to truck along with. I've previously read Jean Chretien's and Joe Clark's autobiographies, and both are interesting, but very business- and politics-heavy. This book is extremely personal. By the end I really felt like I knew him personally (which of course I do not). And while at times I thought there may be "too much information" (did I need to know he was on Accutane as a teen?), I concluded by the end that it's all these very personal details that makes this book a success. As one friend said, it feels like you could have Justin and Sophie over for dinner, and it wouldn't be weird.
And you know? That's a breath of fresh air. Here we have a Prime Minister that feels like ME, or as much as any PM can. He's squeaky clean, yes -- barely a germ on the guy -- but the book seems honest and I feel convinced. And I feel optimistic! Heck, I'm even considering joining the Liberal party officially! All because of Justin Trudeau -- and this book was the clincher for me. I enjoyed the read and recommend it if you want to know more about the guy in charge for the next 4 (and more?) years.
(And of course he was ready. Give me a break. Just watch him.)
May 28, 2018
Un personaje que creo tenía bien merecido leer algo sobre su historia. Antes solo tenía conocimiento de que el es uno de los presidentes más jóvenes en la actualidad y se de algunos de sus proyectos o propuestas para Canadá.
Si les interesa saber un poco más sobre su historia, les recomiendo este libro. Muy interesante de leer
Si les interesa saber un poco más sobre su historia, les recomiendo este libro. Muy interesante de leer
November 14, 2014
Reads like a long application essay: "Why You Should Make Me Your Leader". Well enough written, but not exactly a memoir, in my mind. I look forward to reading something he writes after he retires from political life, just to see the contrast with this work.
June 30, 2017
huge disappointment....the book and the prime sinister
April 17, 2018
Independientemente de ideologías, una lectura recomendable para comprender en sus palabras a uno de los líderes mundiales más carismáticos de la actualidad.
July 16, 2020
J'ai ce livre depuis un bon bout de temps ; mon père me l'avait passé, plutôt enthousiasmé, peu de temps après sa parution en 2013, soit après que Justin Trudeau devienne chef du Parti libéral du Canada, mais avant son accession au poste de premier ministre. Il est longtemps demeuré dans les limbes, cette catégorie de livres qu'on aimerait bien lire mais qui ne réussissent jamais tout à fait à devenir la priorité.
La situation a changé cet été, alors que je commence à préparer une variation de mon séminaire de fin de bacc en histoire canadienne sur les années allant de 1945 à aujourd'hui. « Le Canada d'un Trudeau à l'autre » sera le titre de cette itération du cours, qui utilisera exceptionnellement la politique partisane comme fil conducteur. Or, si je connais bien Trudeau père, le fils m'était connu à peu près uniquement par le biais de l'actualité. Quel meilleur endroit où commencer que ses propres écrits?
Je dois dire que le livre m'a agréablement surpris et que, globalement, j'en ressors avec une impression plus positive de JT que j'y étais entré.
D’abord, il s’agit réellement de mémoires, et non pas d’un simple prospectus politique et partisan. Bien sûr, plus on s’approche de la fin, plus ça commence à ressembler au programme du Parti libéral de 2015. Ça se comprend. Mais règle générale, il s’agit bel et bien d’un récit de vie, et de surcroit d’un récit qui est sincère, personnel et réfléchi. Le résultat d’un vrai travail d’introspection qu’aucun ghost-writer n’aurait pu rédiger. Et c’est sincèrement intéressant de suivre le petit Justin grandir au 24 Sussex Dr, puis essayer de se frayer un chemin dans le monde, inévitablement dans l’ombre de son père. Ce père, j’en retiens qu’il a été une figure marquante pour le jeune Trudeau (évidemment), mais à la fois comme un modèle à émuler et un antécédent duquel il fallait impérativement se démarquer. Trudeau le jeune commence en suivant les traces de son père (au collège Brébeuf de Montréal, par exemple), mais on se rend compte, en le lisant, que s’il a bifurqué vers l’enseignement, c’était en bonne partie pour se libérer d’un trop lourd héritage et d’un modèle trop exigeant. Il viendra à la politique plus tard, sur ses propres termes, fait que je ne peux m’empêcher de respecter.
Ensuite, le livre m’a convaincu que J. Trudeau est sincère dans ses convictions, qu’il est centriste non par opportunisme ni même par pragmatisme, mais par conviction. Ici, c’est bien le fils de son père. Certes, sa posture est moins intellectuelle que celle du paternel, mais Trudeau fils demeure profondément libéral, dans le sens philosophique du terme. Libéral dans la volonté de concilier capitalisme et justice sociale dans la mesure du possible, d’abord. Et libéral, ensuite, dans le choix constant et conscient d’être à la remorque / à l’écoute / au service des idées de la masse des Canadiens, de manière pragmatique, en évitant autant que faire se peut de les catégoriser idéologiquement. En fait, on sent qu’il se méfie avant tout du dogme, de l’idéologie, du système de pensée, quel qu’il soit. Citant Saint Thomas d’Aquin, il dit « se méfier de l’homme au livre unique» (soit-il la bible ou le petit livre rouge).
Ce souci pour le compromis et le dialogue continu entre les différents éléments de la société lui semble particulièrement important maintenant, vu la polarisation politique que l’on voit dans le monde contemporain (notamment chez nos voisins du sud). Trudeau exprime de nombreuses frustrations bien senties vis-à-vis le gouvernement Harper (frustrations que j’avais moi aussi à l’époque) surtout sur sa manière de gouverner le pays « par la division ». Dans la même veine, il a généralement parlé en bien du parti néo-démocrate (et surtout de son ex-chef Jack Layton) avec, comme seule exception, un passage où il reproche au chef Thomas Mulcair de vouloir être « l’équivalent de gauche » du parti de Harper, c’est-à-dire un parti tout aussi clivant, malgré ses politiques plus éclairées.
Bref, le titre, Common Ground (« Terrain d’entente », dans la version française) résume bien son idéal (même si son retour fréquent à cette formule a quelque chose de lassant, à la longue) et le tout m’a donné l’impression que sa campagne de 2015, axée largement sur le bien-être de la classe moyenne, est cohérente avec son positionnement personnel (qu’on soit en accord avec ce dernier ou non).
En cours de route, Trudeau parle de manière réfléchie d’un grand nombre de questions, de la santé mentale (re : le vécu de sa mère) aux avalanches et sports extrêmes (re : la mort de son frère) à l’engagement social de la jeunesse actuelle (son dada) en passant par l’environnement, le multiculturalisme, l’éducation, et le développement économique (oui, incluant par l’exploitation des ressources naturelles). En gros, si vous aimez d’avoir une idée de qui dirige le pays dans lequel vous vivez, ces mémoires ne sont pas une perte de temps.
La situation a changé cet été, alors que je commence à préparer une variation de mon séminaire de fin de bacc en histoire canadienne sur les années allant de 1945 à aujourd'hui. « Le Canada d'un Trudeau à l'autre » sera le titre de cette itération du cours, qui utilisera exceptionnellement la politique partisane comme fil conducteur. Or, si je connais bien Trudeau père, le fils m'était connu à peu près uniquement par le biais de l'actualité. Quel meilleur endroit où commencer que ses propres écrits?
Je dois dire que le livre m'a agréablement surpris et que, globalement, j'en ressors avec une impression plus positive de JT que j'y étais entré.
D’abord, il s’agit réellement de mémoires, et non pas d’un simple prospectus politique et partisan. Bien sûr, plus on s’approche de la fin, plus ça commence à ressembler au programme du Parti libéral de 2015. Ça se comprend. Mais règle générale, il s’agit bel et bien d’un récit de vie, et de surcroit d’un récit qui est sincère, personnel et réfléchi. Le résultat d’un vrai travail d’introspection qu’aucun ghost-writer n’aurait pu rédiger. Et c’est sincèrement intéressant de suivre le petit Justin grandir au 24 Sussex Dr, puis essayer de se frayer un chemin dans le monde, inévitablement dans l’ombre de son père. Ce père, j’en retiens qu’il a été une figure marquante pour le jeune Trudeau (évidemment), mais à la fois comme un modèle à émuler et un antécédent duquel il fallait impérativement se démarquer. Trudeau le jeune commence en suivant les traces de son père (au collège Brébeuf de Montréal, par exemple), mais on se rend compte, en le lisant, que s’il a bifurqué vers l’enseignement, c’était en bonne partie pour se libérer d’un trop lourd héritage et d’un modèle trop exigeant. Il viendra à la politique plus tard, sur ses propres termes, fait que je ne peux m’empêcher de respecter.
Ensuite, le livre m’a convaincu que J. Trudeau est sincère dans ses convictions, qu’il est centriste non par opportunisme ni même par pragmatisme, mais par conviction. Ici, c’est bien le fils de son père. Certes, sa posture est moins intellectuelle que celle du paternel, mais Trudeau fils demeure profondément libéral, dans le sens philosophique du terme. Libéral dans la volonté de concilier capitalisme et justice sociale dans la mesure du possible, d’abord. Et libéral, ensuite, dans le choix constant et conscient d’être à la remorque / à l’écoute / au service des idées de la masse des Canadiens, de manière pragmatique, en évitant autant que faire se peut de les catégoriser idéologiquement. En fait, on sent qu’il se méfie avant tout du dogme, de l’idéologie, du système de pensée, quel qu’il soit. Citant Saint Thomas d’Aquin, il dit « se méfier de l’homme au livre unique» (soit-il la bible ou le petit livre rouge).
Ce souci pour le compromis et le dialogue continu entre les différents éléments de la société lui semble particulièrement important maintenant, vu la polarisation politique que l’on voit dans le monde contemporain (notamment chez nos voisins du sud). Trudeau exprime de nombreuses frustrations bien senties vis-à-vis le gouvernement Harper (frustrations que j’avais moi aussi à l’époque) surtout sur sa manière de gouverner le pays « par la division ». Dans la même veine, il a généralement parlé en bien du parti néo-démocrate (et surtout de son ex-chef Jack Layton) avec, comme seule exception, un passage où il reproche au chef Thomas Mulcair de vouloir être « l’équivalent de gauche » du parti de Harper, c’est-à-dire un parti tout aussi clivant, malgré ses politiques plus éclairées.
Bref, le titre, Common Ground (« Terrain d’entente », dans la version française) résume bien son idéal (même si son retour fréquent à cette formule a quelque chose de lassant, à la longue) et le tout m’a donné l’impression que sa campagne de 2015, axée largement sur le bien-être de la classe moyenne, est cohérente avec son positionnement personnel (qu’on soit en accord avec ce dernier ou non).
En cours de route, Trudeau parle de manière réfléchie d’un grand nombre de questions, de la santé mentale (re : le vécu de sa mère) aux avalanches et sports extrêmes (re : la mort de son frère) à l’engagement social de la jeunesse actuelle (son dada) en passant par l’environnement, le multiculturalisme, l’éducation, et le développement économique (oui, incluant par l’exploitation des ressources naturelles). En gros, si vous aimez d’avoir une idée de qui dirige le pays dans lequel vous vivez, ces mémoires ne sont pas une perte de temps.
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