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Unparliamentary: Tales from Canada's Colourful Parliamentary Past
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Autre
This book's thesis: "Parliament is so much more than a news clip of Question Period in the House. It's not just the legislative process, and its three readings of a bill. It's a place of substance, sure, but it is also where wild, wacky, and wonderful things happen. It has an often fascinating cast, even if they sometimes go off script" (268).
What an entertaining and well-written book. I applaud Charlie for this masterpiece.
I sha'n't forget the harrowing tales of fist fights within Centre Block, the hurling of pasta (and poo) from the chamber galleries, the hunger-striking senator, and, of course, the Hill's famous cat colony.
And what a provocative way to end this book's list of anecdotes with the below: "'Give the unwashed a glimpse of breast today and tomorrow they'll demand a peak at the privi council.' As there's really nothing one can say after reading that, I suppose it's the right time to end the counting of unparliamentary tales in this book" (266).
My only critique: he spells the past tense of the word "lead" (which should be "led") as "lead." An edit for the second edition, Charlie!
In the end, I agree, Charlie, "When we talk about legislative institutions, particularly to young people, we need not make them so painfully boring and dry. ... [P]erhaps we should also talk about the time.Angry dairy farmers protested the agricultural minister by throwing milk and butter at him on parliament's steps" (271).
Five stars.
What an entertaining and well-written book. I applaud Charlie for this masterpiece.
I sha'n't forget the harrowing tales of fist fights within Centre Block, the hurling of pasta (and poo) from the chamber galleries, the hunger-striking senator, and, of course, the Hill's famous cat colony.
And what a provocative way to end this book's list of anecdotes with the below: "'Give the unwashed a glimpse of breast today and tomorrow they'll demand a peak at the privi council.' As there's really nothing one can say after reading that, I suppose it's the right time to end the counting of unparliamentary tales in this book" (266).
My only critique: he spells the past tense of the word "lead" (which should be "led") as "lead." An edit for the second edition, Charlie!
In the end, I agree, Charlie, "When we talk about legislative institutions, particularly to young people, we need not make them so painfully boring and dry. ... [P]erhaps we should also talk about the time.Angry dairy farmers protested the agricultural minister by throwing milk and butter at him on parliament's steps" (271).
Five stars.
July 8, 2026
Excellent book, a very witty and clever author that makes this an enjoyable and light read.
Interesting stories with a lot of history and research to back it up
Interesting stories with a lot of history and research to back it up
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews