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The Life and Times of Sir John A. Macdonald #1
John A: The Man Who Made Us
The first full-scale biography of Canada’s first prime minister in half a century by one of our best-known and most highly regarded political writers.
The first volume of Richard Gwyn’s definitive biography of John A. Macdonald follows his life from his birth in Scotland in 1815 to his emigration with his family to Kingston, Ontario, to his days as a young, rising lawyer, to his tragedy-ridden first marriage, to the birth of his political ambitions, to his commitment to the all-but-impossible challenge of achieving Confederation, to his presiding, with his second wife Agnes, over the first Canada Day of the new Dominion in 1867.
Colourful, intensely human and with a full measure of human frailties, Macdonald was beyond question Canada’s most important prime minister. This volume describes how Macdonald developed Canada’s first true national political party, encompassing French and English and occupying the centre of the political spectrum. To perpetuate this party, Macdonald made systematic use of patronage to recruit talent and to bond supporters, a system of politics that continues to this day.
Gwyn judges that Macdonald, if operating on a small stage, possessed political skills–of manipulation and deception as well as an extraordinary grasp of human nature–of the same calibre as the greats of his time, such as Disraeli and Lincoln. Confederation is the centerpiece here, and Gywn’s commentary on Macdonald’s pivotal role is original and provocative. But his most striking analysis is that the greatest accomplishment of nineteenth-century Canadians was not Confederation, but rather to decide not to become Americans. Macdonald saw Confederation as a means to an end, its purpose being to serve as a loud and clear demonstration of the existence of a national will to survive. The two threats Macdonald had to contend with were those of annexation by the United States, perhaps by force, perhaps by osmosis, and equally that Britain just might let that annexation happen to avoid a conflict with the continent’s new and unbeatable power.
Gwyn describes Macdonald as “Canada’s first anti-American.” And in pages brimming with anecdote, insight, detail and originality, he has created an indelible portrait of “the irreplaceable man,”–the man who made us.
“Macdonald hadn’t so much created a nation as manipulated and seduced and connived and bullied it into existence against the wishes of most of its own citizens. Now that Confederation was done, Macdonald would have to do it all over having conjured up a child-nation he would have to nurture it through adolescence towards adulthood. How he did this is, however, another story.”
“He never made the least attempt to hide his “vice,” unlike, say, his contemporary, William Gladstone, with his sallies across London to save prostitutes, or Mackenzie King with his crystal-ball gazing. Not only was Macdonald entirely unashamed of his behaviour, he often actually drew attention to it, as in his famous response to a heckler who accused him of being drunk at a public “Yes, but the people would prefer John A. drunk to George Brown sober.” There was no hypocrisy in Macdonald’s make-up, nor any fear.
— from John A. Macdonald
The first volume of Richard Gwyn’s definitive biography of John A. Macdonald follows his life from his birth in Scotland in 1815 to his emigration with his family to Kingston, Ontario, to his days as a young, rising lawyer, to his tragedy-ridden first marriage, to the birth of his political ambitions, to his commitment to the all-but-impossible challenge of achieving Confederation, to his presiding, with his second wife Agnes, over the first Canada Day of the new Dominion in 1867.
Colourful, intensely human and with a full measure of human frailties, Macdonald was beyond question Canada’s most important prime minister. This volume describes how Macdonald developed Canada’s first true national political party, encompassing French and English and occupying the centre of the political spectrum. To perpetuate this party, Macdonald made systematic use of patronage to recruit talent and to bond supporters, a system of politics that continues to this day.
Gwyn judges that Macdonald, if operating on a small stage, possessed political skills–of manipulation and deception as well as an extraordinary grasp of human nature–of the same calibre as the greats of his time, such as Disraeli and Lincoln. Confederation is the centerpiece here, and Gywn’s commentary on Macdonald’s pivotal role is original and provocative. But his most striking analysis is that the greatest accomplishment of nineteenth-century Canadians was not Confederation, but rather to decide not to become Americans. Macdonald saw Confederation as a means to an end, its purpose being to serve as a loud and clear demonstration of the existence of a national will to survive. The two threats Macdonald had to contend with were those of annexation by the United States, perhaps by force, perhaps by osmosis, and equally that Britain just might let that annexation happen to avoid a conflict with the continent’s new and unbeatable power.
Gwyn describes Macdonald as “Canada’s first anti-American.” And in pages brimming with anecdote, insight, detail and originality, he has created an indelible portrait of “the irreplaceable man,”–the man who made us.
“Macdonald hadn’t so much created a nation as manipulated and seduced and connived and bullied it into existence against the wishes of most of its own citizens. Now that Confederation was done, Macdonald would have to do it all over having conjured up a child-nation he would have to nurture it through adolescence towards adulthood. How he did this is, however, another story.”
“He never made the least attempt to hide his “vice,” unlike, say, his contemporary, William Gladstone, with his sallies across London to save prostitutes, or Mackenzie King with his crystal-ball gazing. Not only was Macdonald entirely unashamed of his behaviour, he often actually drew attention to it, as in his famous response to a heckler who accused him of being drunk at a public “Yes, but the people would prefer John A. drunk to George Brown sober.” There was no hypocrisy in Macdonald’s make-up, nor any fear.
— from John A. Macdonald
528 pages, Hardcover
First published September 25, 2007
39 people are currently reading
644 people want to read
About the author
Richard Gwyn
28 books12 followersfrom Wikipedia: Richard John Philip Jermy Gwyn, OC (born May 26, 1934) is a Canadian civil servant, journalist and author.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
September 7, 2024
The first volume of two about the first Prime Minister of Canada, John A. Macdonald. While Macdonald is front and center, as he should be here, Richard Gwyn writes almost as much about the creation of the Dominion of Canada, of which Macdonald was arguably the most important player out of many in making that possible. In fact the book is as much a history of the beginnings of Canadian Confederation as it is a biography of Macdonald.
Macdonald was a lawyer who had to make his own way in the first half of the 19th century in what is today the province of Ontario. He was a lawyer but gravitated towards politics, eventually devoting much more of his time to his budding political career than to his law office. Gwyn shows Macdonald to be equally anti-American and pro-British. He and his counterparts in the upper levels of Canadian politics had a mordant fear of invasion by the United States, even during the latter's Civil War. Given that the U.S. did invade Canada only a few years before Macdonald's 1815 birth, and that there were those in the U.S. who occasional spouted off about acquiring Canada, it is understandable why Macdonald would feel this way.
However, what Macdonald and others were not aware of is that the British government was not that keen on keeping Canada completely dependent on it. Britain did not think that it could hold the vast land area that Canada now is, if the U.S. attacked it. The UK did not want to completely separate from Canada, but it wanted to put some distance between the two, and let Canada be more independent than it heretofore had been. Given how highly Macdonald thought of the British and their system, he probably would have been deeply disappointed had he knew of this.
Gwyn does a good job of balancing the political and the personal here. While there is naturally much space devoted to Macdonald's time as Premier (prior to Confederation) of the United Province of Canada, Gwyn writes at length about Macdonald's first wife, Isabella, who was an invalid for most of their marriage. Macdonald was also an alcoholic, with frequent bouts of public drunkenness. While it was not unusual back then for men in public life to be heavy drinkers, Macdonald seemed to be exceptionally so, and sometimes got so drunk that he was unable to function. It would be difficult to see him rising to the top in today's world, with an addiction such as that. It did make me wonder why Macdonald drank so much. I suspect it had something to do with his wife's condition. They also lost their first son to an unknown illness when the child was around a year old. While Isabella did manage to give birth to a second boy, who lived, one has to think that this contributed to Macdonald looking to the bottle to escape.
Gwyn takes the story up to Confederation Day, July 1, 1867 and Macdonald being named the new country's first Prime Minister. Macdonald was such a force politically, and was such an integral figure in the long road to Confederation, that everyone pretty much assumed that he would be the first PM. This book is very readable, with Gwyn not getting bogged down in arcane political details. There were a few spots where Macdonald seemed to recede into the background a bit too long, but Gwyn was also attempting to tell the story of Canada's founding, and thus he was providing necessary context. So not only does the reader learn about Macdonald, but also about a critical period in Canadian history.
Macdonald was a lawyer who had to make his own way in the first half of the 19th century in what is today the province of Ontario. He was a lawyer but gravitated towards politics, eventually devoting much more of his time to his budding political career than to his law office. Gwyn shows Macdonald to be equally anti-American and pro-British. He and his counterparts in the upper levels of Canadian politics had a mordant fear of invasion by the United States, even during the latter's Civil War. Given that the U.S. did invade Canada only a few years before Macdonald's 1815 birth, and that there were those in the U.S. who occasional spouted off about acquiring Canada, it is understandable why Macdonald would feel this way.
However, what Macdonald and others were not aware of is that the British government was not that keen on keeping Canada completely dependent on it. Britain did not think that it could hold the vast land area that Canada now is, if the U.S. attacked it. The UK did not want to completely separate from Canada, but it wanted to put some distance between the two, and let Canada be more independent than it heretofore had been. Given how highly Macdonald thought of the British and their system, he probably would have been deeply disappointed had he knew of this.
Gwyn does a good job of balancing the political and the personal here. While there is naturally much space devoted to Macdonald's time as Premier (prior to Confederation) of the United Province of Canada, Gwyn writes at length about Macdonald's first wife, Isabella, who was an invalid for most of their marriage. Macdonald was also an alcoholic, with frequent bouts of public drunkenness. While it was not unusual back then for men in public life to be heavy drinkers, Macdonald seemed to be exceptionally so, and sometimes got so drunk that he was unable to function. It would be difficult to see him rising to the top in today's world, with an addiction such as that. It did make me wonder why Macdonald drank so much. I suspect it had something to do with his wife's condition. They also lost their first son to an unknown illness when the child was around a year old. While Isabella did manage to give birth to a second boy, who lived, one has to think that this contributed to Macdonald looking to the bottle to escape.
Gwyn takes the story up to Confederation Day, July 1, 1867 and Macdonald being named the new country's first Prime Minister. Macdonald was such a force politically, and was such an integral figure in the long road to Confederation, that everyone pretty much assumed that he would be the first PM. This book is very readable, with Gwyn not getting bogged down in arcane political details. There were a few spots where Macdonald seemed to recede into the background a bit too long, but Gwyn was also attempting to tell the story of Canada's founding, and thus he was providing necessary context. So not only does the reader learn about Macdonald, but also about a critical period in Canadian history.
August 4, 2013
Gwyn wastes no time in admitting that he is not the eminent Canadian historian Donald Creighton and never hopes to fill those shoes. He does use some of Creighton’s work and a plethora of other historical documents to lay the foundation for what is sure to be a great biographical voyage, set in two volumes, as Creighton did for John A. as well 60 years ago. These pieces of history (documents, photos, speeches, legislative records, personal letters) help bring Macdonald to life, assisting with a more thorough depiction of the man most know as Canada’s first Prime Minister and the (literal) face of the ten dollar bill.
Gwyn uses Volume One to give the great story of Macdonald’s life and how he came to be titled the first Prime Minister of the new Dominion of Canada. From his immigration to Upper Canada at age five to the establishment of a law firm and eventual marriage, Gwyn personifies Macdonald’s story, which is more complex that either the deity or a drunkard complex presented to many who have opened a Canadian history textbook. Gwyn does not shy away from Macdonald's love of drink, in fact he pulls up many documents that show others noted his character change during such times and how it left him unable to function normally. However, Gwyn also exemplifies the precise political know-how Macdonald possessed and his ability to read people at first glance. Climbing the ladder upon entry into the United Canada legislature, Macdonald forged a way to the top rung and made a name for himself (as well as an enemy or two along the way).
Volume One is solely pre-Confederation, save the latter part of the final chapter, and does (obviously) spend a great deal of time on the matter of the British North American colonies, as well as the predicament in which they find themselves in the 1860s. Arguing both of the hunger by the United States (before and during their Civil War) to annex the colonies and Britain's tepidness towards them (humming and hawing about how to cut their financial and military ties), Gwyn presents the conundrum that leaves Macdonald and his fellow legislators in a precarious spot. Gwyn does an excellent job summarising some of both sides of the argument, as well as introducing key players in the process. It was a Macdonald belief that ‘in order to remain British, we have to become Canadian’. Gwyn’s research and evidence leads the reader towards this inevitable need as well.
Even for the political history nut, Gwyn’s text explains some of the key happenings and mergers that help make Macdonald the politician he became. The book presents itself in a lively and interesting manner, free of age-old boring rhetoric or textbook dryness. History comes to life at Gwyn’s light-hearted retelling of numerous tales and the narrative remains highly neutral, giving the reins of decision over to the reader, where they may decide in which camp to place Macdonald on the Canadian history spectrum.
Kudos Mr. Gwyn on the first Volume. I am sure the second, where Canadian politics gets much dirtier, will be just as entertaining.
Gwyn uses Volume One to give the great story of Macdonald’s life and how he came to be titled the first Prime Minister of the new Dominion of Canada. From his immigration to Upper Canada at age five to the establishment of a law firm and eventual marriage, Gwyn personifies Macdonald’s story, which is more complex that either the deity or a drunkard complex presented to many who have opened a Canadian history textbook. Gwyn does not shy away from Macdonald's love of drink, in fact he pulls up many documents that show others noted his character change during such times and how it left him unable to function normally. However, Gwyn also exemplifies the precise political know-how Macdonald possessed and his ability to read people at first glance. Climbing the ladder upon entry into the United Canada legislature, Macdonald forged a way to the top rung and made a name for himself (as well as an enemy or two along the way).
Volume One is solely pre-Confederation, save the latter part of the final chapter, and does (obviously) spend a great deal of time on the matter of the British North American colonies, as well as the predicament in which they find themselves in the 1860s. Arguing both of the hunger by the United States (before and during their Civil War) to annex the colonies and Britain's tepidness towards them (humming and hawing about how to cut their financial and military ties), Gwyn presents the conundrum that leaves Macdonald and his fellow legislators in a precarious spot. Gwyn does an excellent job summarising some of both sides of the argument, as well as introducing key players in the process. It was a Macdonald belief that ‘in order to remain British, we have to become Canadian’. Gwyn’s research and evidence leads the reader towards this inevitable need as well.
Even for the political history nut, Gwyn’s text explains some of the key happenings and mergers that help make Macdonald the politician he became. The book presents itself in a lively and interesting manner, free of age-old boring rhetoric or textbook dryness. History comes to life at Gwyn’s light-hearted retelling of numerous tales and the narrative remains highly neutral, giving the reins of decision over to the reader, where they may decide in which camp to place Macdonald on the Canadian history spectrum.
Kudos Mr. Gwyn on the first Volume. I am sure the second, where Canadian politics gets much dirtier, will be just as entertaining.
August 26, 2012
No doubt this one will be appreciated more by Canadians than anyone else, and even among Canadians, a good working knowledge of recent Canadian politics is important context to have.
This book explains SO MUCH about the modern Canada of which I am a citizen. The tensions in the country I see today have their roots in MacDonald's time - and before - to be sure. This man had remarkable insight, not to mention the political cunning and skill to navigate the waters of the time.
Gwyn does a very good job of detailing the political context of the eighteen hundreds, such things as how limited was the voting franchise (landowners only, roughly fifteen percent of the population), and the expectations voters had of their elected representatives (i.e., freedom to exercise their own sound judgement on all issues independent of their party's positions.) Not exactly what we have in today's Canada!
Someone else wrote about how Sir John A. is presented in a very human way, and I agree completely. I find myself wishing that we had so capable a politician in our own time. Not only that, but I just like the guy, flaws and all. If only I could invite him (and Jean Chretien by the way) to come over to my place for a barbecue and a beer...
This book explains SO MUCH about the modern Canada of which I am a citizen. The tensions in the country I see today have their roots in MacDonald's time - and before - to be sure. This man had remarkable insight, not to mention the political cunning and skill to navigate the waters of the time.
Gwyn does a very good job of detailing the political context of the eighteen hundreds, such things as how limited was the voting franchise (landowners only, roughly fifteen percent of the population), and the expectations voters had of their elected representatives (i.e., freedom to exercise their own sound judgement on all issues independent of their party's positions.) Not exactly what we have in today's Canada!
Someone else wrote about how Sir John A. is presented in a very human way, and I agree completely. I find myself wishing that we had so capable a politician in our own time. Not only that, but I just like the guy, flaws and all. If only I could invite him (and Jean Chretien by the way) to come over to my place for a barbecue and a beer...
May 1, 2019
Incredibly detailed biography on the founder and first prime minister of Canada. Covers more than Macdonald himself but also the history of geopolitics that made up the various provinces and what led them to confederation.
November 10, 2021
Excellent writing about an intriguing person. Before the recent news of his involvement of residential schools, all I knew of Sir John A was his role in Confederation and as being Canada's first Prime Minister.
This book delves into all that Sir John dealt with when Canada was almost entirely made up of Upper and Lower Canada, how he envisioned this nation as one large country and how he made this happen.
The author went into great detail about his trips to England, back to Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes to bring his dream to fruition.
It is interesting that Quebec wanted to be a "distinct society" all the way back in the late 1860's and it seems that special consideration had to be given at that time to bring them into Confederation.
Recommend for those who like political history.
This book delves into all that Sir John dealt with when Canada was almost entirely made up of Upper and Lower Canada, how he envisioned this nation as one large country and how he made this happen.
The author went into great detail about his trips to England, back to Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes to bring his dream to fruition.
It is interesting that Quebec wanted to be a "distinct society" all the way back in the late 1860's and it seems that special consideration had to be given at that time to bring them into Confederation.
Recommend for those who like political history.
February 28, 2022
It's almost a good thing I read the two volumes out of order. I didn't enjoy this one nearly as much. To be fair it focused on process of politics and policies which in general is difficult to make very interesting. I find learning about the process of Canadian Confederation interesting as never learned about it in school, at times the book wandered far into political details I just found uninteresting and boring. It's sad more detail of all three conferences were not kept to know more of the process in the room to develop the BNAA and why was this not taught once to me in school? John A was a fascinating man with his own demons and stubbornness that somehow convinced so many to build the Canada he envisioned. More Canadians need to read this. It was a lot of dry information but worth getting through
January 2, 2009
Well, the struggle for Confederation still isn't likely going to be made into a blockbuster action film, but I enjoyed Gwyn's elegant and revealing portrait of this flawed but wily and tenacious leader. He comes through as an enigmatic but fascinating and likable character. Of course I knew the ending--at least of the first Volume--but I had little idea how few people were really behind this idea of creating a nation from a collection of colonies. Most fascinating were the many instances of how the process, and in particular Macdonald's influence over it, have shaped the nature of our political discourse ever since. I am quite keen to read the second volume, including the triumph of the railway and the disaster of the Metis conflict.
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January 30, 2025A comment made in the author's acknowledgements section reveals much:
"This book exists because [two Canadian publishing executives] decided jointly to defy one of the embedded rules of Canadian publishing—that Canadians don't read Canadian history."
Among the qualities drilled into me as a Canadian (like tolerance, maple syrup, and anti-Americanism), I was taught to view my country's history sheepishly. Learn Canada's history, but look embarrassed. Be critical, lest you bear any hint of patriotism.
But I, ten years late, discovered Hamilton, a musical about the titular American founding father. Naturally, I quickly became enamored by the American Revolution. And I soon realized how different the American way of retelling their origins was: their founding fathers had warts, but they were heroes with warts. Despite a movement of critical revisionism, it seemed to me that the general historical vibe of the vast resources on early American history was that of dignity. (Have you seen historians write about Washington?!)
But back to Hamilton. In the musical's final number, Angelica Schuyler bemoans how "Every other Founding Father's story gets told. Every other Founding Father gets to grow old." She's referencing Alexander Hamilton's lack of legacy relative to the other Founding Fathers.
Angelica, however, would be aghast if she looked north. The last complete biography prior to Richard Gwyn's 2007 John A: The Man Who Made Us was half a century ago (Creighton's 1952 work). For someone being our first prime minister—our Washington—this fact is a wonder but unsurprising. Before reading this book, I could barely recall that Macdonald was our first prime minister. I recall learning much about… other… parts of Canadian history, but I don't recall ever learning about Macdonald in school (if we did, it was surely with an immediate "But remember, class, that he was a bad man…").
But in the first volume of Gwyn's biography of Macdonald, the story of our "founding father"—and our nation—gets told. We see Macdonald as a young lawyer, a lover-turned-caregiver, and a thoroughly England-loving politician. As Macdonald accumulates more influence, we see Canada slowly being shaped after the image of its eventual first prime minister. Gwyn specifically identifies Macdonald's unshakeable belief that British is best as a major cause of Macdonald's early political decisions. And we see Macdonald, political move after move, despite his relative modestness (compared to his American counterparts), eventually unify disparate colonies into one dominion, Canada.
Gwyn focuses as much on Macdonald as on the political environment pre-Confederation. So much of the pre-Confederation political and social environment anticipates, and even explains, our peculiarly Canadian hot-button topics, such as American-Canadian relations (made especially pertinent by a particular re-inauguration this year), Quebec sovereignty, and multiculturalism.
To be sure, Macdonald had flaws (for example, Gwyn describes his drunkeness amply). And Macdonald didn't have the military or visionary leadership that Washington embodied. But, as Gwyn notes, "No one else in Canada came close to Macdonald." I look forward to reading volume 2.
"This book exists because [two Canadian publishing executives] decided jointly to defy one of the embedded rules of Canadian publishing—that Canadians don't read Canadian history."
Among the qualities drilled into me as a Canadian (like tolerance, maple syrup, and anti-Americanism), I was taught to view my country's history sheepishly. Learn Canada's history, but look embarrassed. Be critical, lest you bear any hint of patriotism.
But I, ten years late, discovered Hamilton, a musical about the titular American founding father. Naturally, I quickly became enamored by the American Revolution. And I soon realized how different the American way of retelling their origins was: their founding fathers had warts, but they were heroes with warts. Despite a movement of critical revisionism, it seemed to me that the general historical vibe of the vast resources on early American history was that of dignity. (Have you seen historians write about Washington?!)
But back to Hamilton. In the musical's final number, Angelica Schuyler bemoans how "Every other Founding Father's story gets told. Every other Founding Father gets to grow old." She's referencing Alexander Hamilton's lack of legacy relative to the other Founding Fathers.
Angelica, however, would be aghast if she looked north. The last complete biography prior to Richard Gwyn's 2007 John A: The Man Who Made Us was half a century ago (Creighton's 1952 work). For someone being our first prime minister—our Washington—this fact is a wonder but unsurprising. Before reading this book, I could barely recall that Macdonald was our first prime minister. I recall learning much about… other… parts of Canadian history, but I don't recall ever learning about Macdonald in school (if we did, it was surely with an immediate "But remember, class, that he was a bad man…").
But in the first volume of Gwyn's biography of Macdonald, the story of our "founding father"—and our nation—gets told. We see Macdonald as a young lawyer, a lover-turned-caregiver, and a thoroughly England-loving politician. As Macdonald accumulates more influence, we see Canada slowly being shaped after the image of its eventual first prime minister. Gwyn specifically identifies Macdonald's unshakeable belief that British is best as a major cause of Macdonald's early political decisions. And we see Macdonald, political move after move, despite his relative modestness (compared to his American counterparts), eventually unify disparate colonies into one dominion, Canada.
Gwyn focuses as much on Macdonald as on the political environment pre-Confederation. So much of the pre-Confederation political and social environment anticipates, and even explains, our peculiarly Canadian hot-button topics, such as American-Canadian relations (made especially pertinent by a particular re-inauguration this year), Quebec sovereignty, and multiculturalism.
To be sure, Macdonald had flaws (for example, Gwyn describes his drunkeness amply). And Macdonald didn't have the military or visionary leadership that Washington embodied. But, as Gwyn notes, "No one else in Canada came close to Macdonald." I look forward to reading volume 2.
June 30, 2025
I just finished in time for Canada Day!
Richard Gwyn's first volume on the life of Sir John A. Macdonald follows the early life of Canada's first PM all the way up to Confederation in 1867. Gwyn described his political maneuvers, relations with others from family to fellow Fathers of Confederation (plus the Québécois and First Nations), and the context of it all. The reader can enjoy helpful footnotes of events and terms, as well as learn about early political concepts like the Québécois bleus et rouges, Responsible Government, and annexationism.
A note though is that as the book progresses to the early 1860s, it reads like a back-and-forth about debates on Confederation, thoughts on the idea, politics to further and stall it, and the figures who were part of the vigorous campaign. If you are not into politics, this can be a slow part of the book to enjoy, but nonetheless an invitation to learn about the tumultuous mission to 1 July 1867.
In the end, Gwyn wrote a treasure trove of a book on the first PM of Canada. I recommend all my fellow Canucks to read the work.
Richard Gwyn's first volume on the life of Sir John A. Macdonald follows the early life of Canada's first PM all the way up to Confederation in 1867. Gwyn described his political maneuvers, relations with others from family to fellow Fathers of Confederation (plus the Québécois and First Nations), and the context of it all. The reader can enjoy helpful footnotes of events and terms, as well as learn about early political concepts like the Québécois bleus et rouges, Responsible Government, and annexationism.
A note though is that as the book progresses to the early 1860s, it reads like a back-and-forth about debates on Confederation, thoughts on the idea, politics to further and stall it, and the figures who were part of the vigorous campaign. If you are not into politics, this can be a slow part of the book to enjoy, but nonetheless an invitation to learn about the tumultuous mission to 1 July 1867.
In the end, Gwyn wrote a treasure trove of a book on the first PM of Canada. I recommend all my fellow Canucks to read the work.
April 10, 2019
What an amazing book from Richard Gwyn. A great writer and journalist whose articles about current affairs has always piqued my imagination. If I was in charge, I'd make this book mandatory reading for all Canadians, not just for academics. It brings to life the alluring personality of modern Canada's founding father and the political and social milieu of his nation-building project. Equally fascinating was the Loyalists fear of American annexation following the end of the US Civil War; that it created the impetus for the creation of Canada from a scattering of rival British North American colonies. This book shows how history should be read in modern clean prose that is accessible and dare I say, entertaining, for today's readers. Cannot wait to read the second volume of this seminal work.
November 20, 2019
Informative and willing to explore the wider socio-political landscape of Canada, but slightly hagiographic on how it depicts John A. All his flaws (his drinking, missing aspects of the British North American Act) are excused because he was the "man who made us". Also practically no mention of Native American issues throughout this time, which even if peripheral to John A. at this time should be discussed. But it's still packed with knowledge, and I own Part 2 and will eventually read that as well.
June 15, 2018
Well, it’s not light reading, but it is worth the effort. I intended to get it, and its sequel “Nation Maker”, read last year for Canada’s 150th birthday, but life had other plans so I’m getting them done now.
It’s very readable, not always something you can say about history books, and though I did get bogged down in the politics now and then, most of it was interesting. It’s full of great anecdotes about the development of Canada though the 1800s, descriptions of how our cities got started and what life was like in those places at that time. There was so much I didn’t know about our relationship with the U.S. through those years and up to Confederation, and I found that eye-opening. It also showed me, up close, the personalities I’ve only known as the Fathers of Confederation. Now I see them as real people, with strengths and talents, and foibles and flaws, and the result is they are far more interesting to me. I’m looking forward to the sequel.
It’s very readable, not always something you can say about history books, and though I did get bogged down in the politics now and then, most of it was interesting. It’s full of great anecdotes about the development of Canada though the 1800s, descriptions of how our cities got started and what life was like in those places at that time. There was so much I didn’t know about our relationship with the U.S. through those years and up to Confederation, and I found that eye-opening. It also showed me, up close, the personalities I’ve only known as the Fathers of Confederation. Now I see them as real people, with strengths and talents, and foibles and flaws, and the result is they are far more interesting to me. I’m looking forward to the sequel.
July 9, 2024
New Review (2024):
I have been looking for some sort of general Canadian history text to explain Confederation to me. I re-discovered this book on my bookshelf, and I remember liking it....
I was thoroughly impressed this time around. Not only is it a biography of Sir John A., but the author goes off in tangents (clearly marked out, so you can skip over if you need to) about the the political situation in Canada, in America, and what it means to be a Canadian. This was exactly the kind of book I was looking for!! Plus, there were literally times where I laughed out loud (can you imagine a PM throwing up onto a chair?)
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book again, and can't wait to start the second volume!
***
Old Review (2018):
This book interested me because, as an American, I wanted to know more about the father of Confederation, and get a better sense of how Confederation came about. And, boy o boy!, this book does NOT disappoint! Going into this, I had low expectations for it to be written on an academic level -- something that wouldn't be written as if the author was sitting across from me and telling me about Sir John A.'s life.
I was completely blown away by how the author completely made this such a compelling story! The other thing that I didn't realize was that Canadian Confederation basically was a result of the American Civil War, and that Britain basically didn't have the resources to defend Canada if it was attacked by an American invasion. That part just blew me away.
I honestly cannot wait to read the second part of Sir John A's biography!
I have been looking for some sort of general Canadian history text to explain Confederation to me. I re-discovered this book on my bookshelf, and I remember liking it....
I was thoroughly impressed this time around. Not only is it a biography of Sir John A., but the author goes off in tangents (clearly marked out, so you can skip over if you need to) about the the political situation in Canada, in America, and what it means to be a Canadian. This was exactly the kind of book I was looking for!! Plus, there were literally times where I laughed out loud (can you imagine a PM throwing up onto a chair?)
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book again, and can't wait to start the second volume!
***
Old Review (2018):
This book interested me because, as an American, I wanted to know more about the father of Confederation, and get a better sense of how Confederation came about. And, boy o boy!, this book does NOT disappoint! Going into this, I had low expectations for it to be written on an academic level -- something that wouldn't be written as if the author was sitting across from me and telling me about Sir John A.'s life.
I was completely blown away by how the author completely made this such a compelling story! The other thing that I didn't realize was that Canadian Confederation basically was a result of the American Civil War, and that Britain basically didn't have the resources to defend Canada if it was attacked by an American invasion. That part just blew me away.
I honestly cannot wait to read the second part of Sir John A's biography!
October 4, 2017
Really enjoyed this fascinating book. It is the first half of a two volume set. I will read the second book next.
My knowledge of part of Canadian history was week and knew little about MacDonald. This book is not just about the man but about why Canada is the way it is. It shows why the British North America act (BNA) was drafted the way it was. I know why Canada is a dominion. Why the languages are protected the way they are. How the senate was formed. Having recently read “The Return of George Washington” and the drafting of the US constitution, it is interesting to contrast the process in each country. MacDonald has a narrow window of time, while the US drafters had no deadline. As I like both politics and history read about the process in both countries was very enjoyable.
The book is also about the man. His was mixture of contrasts. A man who could stay focused on task with a laser focus. A man who would routinely drink himself in a stupor for days. In time when many drank heavily he was seen as a heavy drunk. A charming man noted for being very comfortable around women, who had friends throughout Canadian society, with very few enemies who buried himself in his work or drank himself in into oblivion.
I could keep going but instead I will just say read the book.
My knowledge of part of Canadian history was week and knew little about MacDonald. This book is not just about the man but about why Canada is the way it is. It shows why the British North America act (BNA) was drafted the way it was. I know why Canada is a dominion. Why the languages are protected the way they are. How the senate was formed. Having recently read “The Return of George Washington” and the drafting of the US constitution, it is interesting to contrast the process in each country. MacDonald has a narrow window of time, while the US drafters had no deadline. As I like both politics and history read about the process in both countries was very enjoyable.
The book is also about the man. His was mixture of contrasts. A man who could stay focused on task with a laser focus. A man who would routinely drink himself in a stupor for days. In time when many drank heavily he was seen as a heavy drunk. A charming man noted for being very comfortable around women, who had friends throughout Canadian society, with very few enemies who buried himself in his work or drank himself in into oblivion.
I could keep going but instead I will just say read the book.
February 4, 2015
Biography of Sir Macdonald earlier family years, his education and his entry in the politics was very interesting. Initially Macdonald started as a lawyer and entered politics much later.
In Nineteenth century writer shows how difficult it was for immigrants to survive in Canada compared to the immigrants of the later years. Lack of roads, houses which were made of logs, no sewage system, no power or heating and hard labour made it very difficult for families survival. In those times life span was very short. Recent immigrants have it far easier life.
In last 200 years there are differences still existing between Quebec and rest of English Canada. Also the sad fact remains that Aboriginals of Canada have become under privileged and mistreated in the very land that belongs to them while immigrants who call Canada their home have gained the most out of confederation.
Richard Gwyn is a very good history writer. I enjoyed Gwyn's Vol. II more than Vol.I that may be due to my mistake in reading Vol II first and Vol I later. Anyone who enjoys biography and history would definitely love reading Sir Macdonald.
September 3, 2012
I made the mistake of partially reading Vol. II before I read Vol I of this 2 volume set of books by Richard Gwyn. However, I didn't find it too disorientating to go back and forth between the 2.
I feel these books should be required reading for anyone attempting to understand Canada, its political system and how we got to where we are today - both in our national accomplishments and problems that are within the country today.
Gwyn's research is extensive and his manner of writing clear and concise. He doesn't make the subject dry or boring and holds your interest throughout the tome - which in hard copy is very daunting in size. I heartily recommend it!
I feel these books should be required reading for anyone attempting to understand Canada, its political system and how we got to where we are today - both in our national accomplishments and problems that are within the country today.
Gwyn's research is extensive and his manner of writing clear and concise. He doesn't make the subject dry or boring and holds your interest throughout the tome - which in hard copy is very daunting in size. I heartily recommend it!
November 5, 2024
A thorough analysis of the father of Canadian Confederacy, backed by an extensive collection of reference notes and citations.
Though mostly serving as a history of Macdonalds political career, interspersed throughout can also be found: personal anecdotes, letters, and familial goings on.
As the first in a two volume collection, I unfortunately found the writing to be rather drawn out at times and lacking some of that illustrious colour so frequently found in historical depictions of our neighbour's to the south. Still, the book serves its purpose, and I find myself willing to search out and engage with the second volume in due course.
Though mostly serving as a history of Macdonalds political career, interspersed throughout can also be found: personal anecdotes, letters, and familial goings on.
As the first in a two volume collection, I unfortunately found the writing to be rather drawn out at times and lacking some of that illustrious colour so frequently found in historical depictions of our neighbour's to the south. Still, the book serves its purpose, and I find myself willing to search out and engage with the second volume in due course.
July 6, 2011
I bought this book based on positive reviews I had read and I was looking forward to gaining some more insight into the life of our notoriously fun-loving first PM. Sadly, this book didn't deliver. Aside from a few anecdotes, the text focusses almost exclusively on Macdonald's political relationships and ideas against the backdrop of the political turmoil of the times. I was hoping for more of a social history of the man - a biography, the jacket advertises this to be - and got instead a lesson in politics. Not a bad book, peppered with illustrations, but not what I was looking for.
August 4, 2010
Definitely the best biography I've read to date. Gwyn has a very engaging style and manages very aptly to connect the historical events surrounding Macdonald and Confederation to modern Canadian politics (it's patronage baby, always has been, probably always will be!). This book could easily be used as both a historical or political science resource, but ultimately it's a fantastic read that makes Canadian history cool and interesting.
I can't wait for the second volume!
I can't wait for the second volume!
March 9, 2015
This biography of Sir John A. is fantastic! Very well written, it keeps your interest and is humorous in some areas. The writer does not focus on the one thing that everyone knows about him, his drinking. Instead he casually mentions it while steering his writing in a more productive direction. I can't wait to read part two. These will become the new go-to biographies replacing more outdated and biased text.
January 24, 2016
The first volume of this two part work traces Macdonald's life from his birth in Scotland through his rising legal career in Kingston, his tragic first marriage, his astonishing political rise and ends with Confederation. "Colourful, intensely human and with a full measure of human frailties, Macdonald was beyond question Canada 19s most important prime minister." This book is a very readable introduction to Macdonald and the role he played in keeping Canada from becoming part of America.
January 26, 2017
I must confess that this is the first book on Canadian history that I have read in a very long time, but I thoroughly enjoyed this account of the early years of the founding of Canada. Richard Gwyn is an excellent writer who weaves historical facts with interesting biographical anecdotes. I look forward to reading the second volume of this series, Nation Maker.
December 28, 2014
I was on the jury that awarded Gwyn the Shaughnessy Cohen prize for his Macdonald bio. I believe we made an excellent choice.
June 18, 2025
Page 407 (my book) John A. Macdonald
I don’t care for office for the sake of money, but for the sake of power; for the sake of carrying out my own view of what’s best for the country.
John A. Macdonald was Canada’s first Prime Minister on July 1/1867. He was the key person in organizing Canada as a country from disparate British colonies – Upper Canada (to become the province of Ontario) and Lower Canada (to become the province of Quebec) then known as “Canada”. Macdonald also added the provinces of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.
As per the author, John A. was a wily and talented politician. He was also a binge drinker.
John A. was born in Scotland – his parents migrated to Canada when he was 5 years old. He made Canada his home, but always wanted to maintain its British ties – like to the monarchy.
John A. was skillful at forming political connections. Unlike some of his Ontario cohorts, he displayed no animosity to the French in Quebec and was able to form meaningful ties with many Quebec politicians.
The leading political challenge (then and now) in Canada is to maintain an equilibrium between French Quebec (then called Canadien, now called Quebecois) and English Canada.
Page 171 1854 speech by John A. Macdonald
It was of the very greatest importance for the mutual comfort on the inhabitants of Canada to agree as much as possible, and the only way they could agree was by respecting each other’s principles, and as much as possible even each other’s prejudices. Unless they were governed by a spirit of compromise and kindly feeling towards each other, they could never get on harmoniously together.
Over the years, Macdonald perceived the growing threat of the United States in wanting to annex Canada.
Page 254
Anti-Americanism was one of the very few things that Canadians then agreed on – English Protestants no different from Canadien Catholics.
Page 255 D’Arcy McGee
They coveted Florida, and seized it; they coveted Louisiana, and purchased it, and then picked a quarrel with Mexico, which ended by their getting California. They sometimes pretend to despise these (British North America) colonies as prizes beneath their ambition; but had we not the strong arm of England over us, we should not have had a separate existence.
Canadians perceived themselves as different from Americans (in fact they felt “morally superior”) – slavery was not an institution, Canadians did not slaughter en masse the native population, and interestingly Canadians saw themselves as more religious than Americans.
This fear of America was only heightened by the U.S. Civil War, when armies in the U.S. grew tremendously and could easily have overwhelmed the small Canadian military. Macdonald used his persuasive powers to convince the two Canadian provinces and Nova Scotia and New Brunswick to form a Canadian Confederation. He also promised them a railroad linking all these provinces together. And this is why both Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland decided not to join the Confederation.
United Canada was sending a message to America that Canada did not want to be annexed by the U.S. and to England that they were no longer just a colony. England, also, wanted to slowly disengage militarily from Canada – a reason they encouraged (or allowed) Confederation.
The author probes the life of John A. Macdonald and what it was like to live in Canada.
Page 320
[In that era] 80 percent of Canadians were farmers and fishermen.
Confederation was interpreted differently by the various peoples of Canada. The French in Quebec saw it as a way to further strengthen their nationalism and better control their province through education and religion (Catholicism). And Confederation did not resolve the role of the central federal government in Ottawa vis-à-vis the provincial governments – a constant ongoing debate to this day. Macdonald did want a strong central government – he despised the U.S. system when each state is almost like a sovereign power.
Page 400
The Fathers of Confederation defined their new nation by the talismanic mantra of “Peace, Order, and good Government”.
This is contrary to the idealism of the U.S. of “We the People…” and “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness”.
And at the time of Confederation, Macdonald was looking westward to expand Canada. But this is the subject of the author’s second volume - “Nation Maker”.
Page 431
As Confederation approached [July 1, 1867] dramatic news came from Washington: The American government had just announced the takeover of a major piece of territory in North America – Alaska.
I don’t care for office for the sake of money, but for the sake of power; for the sake of carrying out my own view of what’s best for the country.
John A. Macdonald was Canada’s first Prime Minister on July 1/1867. He was the key person in organizing Canada as a country from disparate British colonies – Upper Canada (to become the province of Ontario) and Lower Canada (to become the province of Quebec) then known as “Canada”. Macdonald also added the provinces of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.
As per the author, John A. was a wily and talented politician. He was also a binge drinker.
John A. was born in Scotland – his parents migrated to Canada when he was 5 years old. He made Canada his home, but always wanted to maintain its British ties – like to the monarchy.
John A. was skillful at forming political connections. Unlike some of his Ontario cohorts, he displayed no animosity to the French in Quebec and was able to form meaningful ties with many Quebec politicians.
The leading political challenge (then and now) in Canada is to maintain an equilibrium between French Quebec (then called Canadien, now called Quebecois) and English Canada.
Page 171 1854 speech by John A. Macdonald
It was of the very greatest importance for the mutual comfort on the inhabitants of Canada to agree as much as possible, and the only way they could agree was by respecting each other’s principles, and as much as possible even each other’s prejudices. Unless they were governed by a spirit of compromise and kindly feeling towards each other, they could never get on harmoniously together.
Over the years, Macdonald perceived the growing threat of the United States in wanting to annex Canada.
Page 254
Anti-Americanism was one of the very few things that Canadians then agreed on – English Protestants no different from Canadien Catholics.
Page 255 D’Arcy McGee
They coveted Florida, and seized it; they coveted Louisiana, and purchased it, and then picked a quarrel with Mexico, which ended by their getting California. They sometimes pretend to despise these (British North America) colonies as prizes beneath their ambition; but had we not the strong arm of England over us, we should not have had a separate existence.
Canadians perceived themselves as different from Americans (in fact they felt “morally superior”) – slavery was not an institution, Canadians did not slaughter en masse the native population, and interestingly Canadians saw themselves as more religious than Americans.
This fear of America was only heightened by the U.S. Civil War, when armies in the U.S. grew tremendously and could easily have overwhelmed the small Canadian military. Macdonald used his persuasive powers to convince the two Canadian provinces and Nova Scotia and New Brunswick to form a Canadian Confederation. He also promised them a railroad linking all these provinces together. And this is why both Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland decided not to join the Confederation.
United Canada was sending a message to America that Canada did not want to be annexed by the U.S. and to England that they were no longer just a colony. England, also, wanted to slowly disengage militarily from Canada – a reason they encouraged (or allowed) Confederation.
The author probes the life of John A. Macdonald and what it was like to live in Canada.
Page 320
[In that era] 80 percent of Canadians were farmers and fishermen.
Confederation was interpreted differently by the various peoples of Canada. The French in Quebec saw it as a way to further strengthen their nationalism and better control their province through education and religion (Catholicism). And Confederation did not resolve the role of the central federal government in Ottawa vis-à-vis the provincial governments – a constant ongoing debate to this day. Macdonald did want a strong central government – he despised the U.S. system when each state is almost like a sovereign power.
Page 400
The Fathers of Confederation defined their new nation by the talismanic mantra of “Peace, Order, and good Government”.
This is contrary to the idealism of the U.S. of “We the People…” and “Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness”.
And at the time of Confederation, Macdonald was looking westward to expand Canada. But this is the subject of the author’s second volume - “Nation Maker”.
Page 431
As Confederation approached [July 1, 1867] dramatic news came from Washington: The American government had just announced the takeover of a major piece of territory in North America – Alaska.
December 21, 2017
There's much to like about this first in Gwyn's two-volume biography of Macdonald, which ends with the achievement of Confederation in 1867. The book nicely lays out Macdonald's reliance on personal charm, and on a remarkable memory and ability to think on his feet. It reminds readers how attitudes and public life differed in the mid-1800s (the popularity of public hangings; the lack of a piped supply of fresh water in Ottawa even in 1867; the restriction of voting rights to perhaps 15% of the male population; the naked use of political patronage; etc.). It does a good job of laying out the state of political institutions in pre-Confederation Canada and the details of progress toward a Confederation agreement. It also injects some telling anecdotes (the lavish use of secret funding — Gwyn does not use the word "bribes" — to ensure a safe outcome in the 1866 New Brunswick election; the surprising origins of the famous phrase "peace, order and good government."
But the many annoyances limit my most generous potential rating to a maximum 3.5-plus stars. Gwyn is fond of making pronouncements; that is to say, sweeping and sometimes arguable assertions with no evidence presented to support them. There are a few too many faddishly ephemeral word choices such as "the vision thing." The story jumps ahead in fits and starts by a year or two to explore a particular subject, then goes back to take up where it left off; with few reminders of what year is being discussed, the result can be confusing, and in fact the narrative seems to confuse chronology in at least two instances. Gwyn insists that Macdonald seemed to support the idea of Confederation in the early 1860s purely for tactical purposes rather than out of deep belief, but undercuts that argument with his own descriptions of Macdonald's state of mind after 1865. And while the story, intended as popular history, is rich in well presented fact, it generally lacks the vigour and drive that a Pierre Berton would have brought to it; Macdonald himself flares to life on a number of the pages but sinks back almost to the level of boring textbook name on others. If I want to take on the post-1867 part of the story I'll probably look up Donald Creighton's 1952 biography, which Gwyn concedes both inspired and intimidated him.
But the many annoyances limit my most generous potential rating to a maximum 3.5-plus stars. Gwyn is fond of making pronouncements; that is to say, sweeping and sometimes arguable assertions with no evidence presented to support them. There are a few too many faddishly ephemeral word choices such as "the vision thing." The story jumps ahead in fits and starts by a year or two to explore a particular subject, then goes back to take up where it left off; with few reminders of what year is being discussed, the result can be confusing, and in fact the narrative seems to confuse chronology in at least two instances. Gwyn insists that Macdonald seemed to support the idea of Confederation in the early 1860s purely for tactical purposes rather than out of deep belief, but undercuts that argument with his own descriptions of Macdonald's state of mind after 1865. And while the story, intended as popular history, is rich in well presented fact, it generally lacks the vigour and drive that a Pierre Berton would have brought to it; Macdonald himself flares to life on a number of the pages but sinks back almost to the level of boring textbook name on others. If I want to take on the post-1867 part of the story I'll probably look up Donald Creighton's 1952 biography, which Gwyn concedes both inspired and intimidated him.
November 29, 2023
Excellent! But what else would you expect from Gwyn? I learned a lot about the prevailing ideas and events of the time...expectations and private attitudes of the principle Canadian and British characters, Americans. Much of it, I had either never known or forgotten from the sterilized language of my high school history. Canada was born despite the British indifference and fledging American expansionist notions.
The dominating idea that I came away with, is one I've been pondering for decades: the threat to Canada isn't necessarily from south of the 49th, but rather from complacent Canadians who will mindlessly succumb to the easy choices of commercialism and consumerism broadcast endlessly and mind-numbingly from there. Perhaps the present "failed-state" spiral decline will arrest this thinking, or at least give pause.
Sir John A. adeptly managed the conflicting religions, politics and personalities of three regions with different languages and religions. Every Prime Minister since has had the same task. To do so leaves no room for doctrinaire inflexibility. Our national character has evolved against such prevailing notions and we are stronger because of it.
The dominating idea that I came away with, is one I've been pondering for decades: the threat to Canada isn't necessarily from south of the 49th, but rather from complacent Canadians who will mindlessly succumb to the easy choices of commercialism and consumerism broadcast endlessly and mind-numbingly from there. Perhaps the present "failed-state" spiral decline will arrest this thinking, or at least give pause.
Sir John A. adeptly managed the conflicting religions, politics and personalities of three regions with different languages and religions. Every Prime Minister since has had the same task. To do so leaves no room for doctrinaire inflexibility. Our national character has evolved against such prevailing notions and we are stronger because of it.
November 11, 2017
This book covers the life of Sir John A. Macdonald up to the achievement of Confederation in 1867. It is a much-needed updated, full scale biography of Canada's first Prime Minister (it has a volume two). The book gives the reader a clear picture of a remarkably talented politician and leader. The personal tragedies and complex political system Macdonald experienced prior to Confederation shaped the leader he became. The author paints a picture of a wily, intelligent politician, who could connect with the people in a way unmatched in our history. Macdonald had great gifts for politics and more than anyone else, the long term vision to achieve Confederation. Above all, he wanted to prevent British North America from falling into American hands. The longer I think about Confederation, the more I agree with the author that Canadians may not have avoided American annexation without an extraordinary leader like Macdonald.
January 27, 2025
There's a lot of nonsense written about John A. Macdonald these days. Most people thing of him as a villain due to comments made about indigenous youth and residential schools. But in reality he was a complex man and one of the great world leaders of the 19th century. Canada doesn't do enough to celebrate its past accomplished leaders, and this book does a great job giving the story of John A. with warts and all. The hardships of his personal life were probably the most interesting part of the book especially what he was able to accomplish while having an incredibly sick wife (who later died) and the death of his child. For all those who this this man in unredeemable, it should be known he was a man who truly did not judge those around him because he was aware of his own flaws as a man, which must have been difficult in those sectarian times. This book is highly engaging if you are into politics, and should be used as a modern resource in public education.
March 28, 2019
Richard Gwyn is an excellent storyteller who captures all the salient points of Sir John A Macdonald's life from birth until Canadian Confederation Day July 1, 1867. It was fascinating to learn about the other major players of the time: George Brown, Georges Etienne Cartier, Galt, Tilley, Tupper, McGee, and many others. Gwyn's breadth of research is impressive as he takes the reader down the compelling path of political intrigue, personality clashes, and the real threat of Canadian annexation by the United States. Macdonald was a master politician, on par with great contemporaries like Lincoln, Gladstone, and Disraeli, so Gwyn argues. This work, along with volume two, will surely become the definitive biography on Sir John A Macdonald as the twenty-first century progresses. A must read for students of Canadian history!
November 21, 2023
A great portrait of John A. that is both respectful and critical in all the right ways. The author is adept at focusing on what is interesting while not getting lost in the weeds.
There were a few moments that were a little too overly Macdonald-centric for my liking (for example, the portrayal of Tupper and his stepping aside for McGee as largely induced by MacDonald). This, however, is likely inevitable in any work like this. The book also followed the Canadian trend of downplaying our own accomplishments, albeit with more restraint than some I've encountered.
All in all, a great read; I will certainly dive into the second part when it is released.
There were a few moments that were a little too overly Macdonald-centric for my liking (for example, the portrayal of Tupper and his stepping aside for McGee as largely induced by MacDonald). This, however, is likely inevitable in any work like this. The book also followed the Canadian trend of downplaying our own accomplishments, albeit with more restraint than some I've encountered.
All in all, a great read; I will certainly dive into the second part when it is released.
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