Trudeaumania

by Paul Litt

In 1968, Canadians took a chance on a new kind of politician. Pierre Trudeau became the leader of the Liberal Party and within two months was prime minister of Canada. His meteoric rise to power was driven by Trudeaumania, a phenomenon that generated the same media hype, sexual sizzle, and adoring crowds as Beatlemania. This book examines the origins, dynamics, and enduring significance of Trudeaumania, attributing it to the rise 1960s radicalism, nationalist aspirations, and modern mass media. Far from being a sixties crazy moment, it was an exercise in national identity formation that would define the values of Canadians for decades to come.

Genres: History, Politics, Canada

336 pages, Hardcover

Published October 13, 2016

Reviews

[Dasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thorough investigation into Pierre Trudeau's campaign and time in office. Litt also offers an exploration of Canada's political, cultural, religious, and linguistic tensions that shaped his time in power. It is an interesting read and sheds light on Canada's current East-West (Ontario versus Alberta) divide.* In all, a well written and researched book on Pierre Trudeau and Canada's history.

*this divide stretches back to the 1800s.

[Brendan Campisi · Rating 3 out of 5]

An often interesting, useful analysis of the Canadian nationalist project of the 1960s, through the lens not so much of Pierre Trudeau, the man, or even Pierre Trudeau, the politician, but Pierre Trudeau, the idea. Consequently, Litt sometimes falls too far in love with his own media-centered analytic focus.

[Lucas · Rating 4 out of 5]

A smart historical book that sets out basic theoretical ideas to explain the observed phenomenon. Using evidence to explain opinion, while not attempting to present a final definitive volume. A fresh, personable volume.

[Alex Abboud · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paul Litt takes a on well covered subject, Pierre Trudeau's rapid rise from arriving in parliament in 1965 to becoming Prime Minister in 1968. He does it by examining Trudeau's rise through the lens of Canada's culture, and popular culture, at the time. This is a different lens than most biographies of Trudeau. Litt probes the factors that created rising nationalist feelings, such as Expo '67 and the centennial, as well as cultural and demographic changes - more than one million baby boomers were eligible to vote for the first time. Trudeau captured the 'mod' feeling of the day, as well as the nationalistic feelings - Canadians wanted a leader who could put forward a new face to the world. The examination of the media portrayal of Trudeau (contrasted with that of the other party leaders) shows how a changing media landscape affected campaigns and politics in general.

Put together, this is an original, critical examination of a well-known subject. Recommended.

[Chris Matthews · Rating 5 out of 5]

By far the best treatment of the subject.