The Last Days of Smallwood

by Edward Roberts, Clyde K. Wells (Contributor), John C. Crosbie (Contributor)

"With his extensive and reliable knowledge, Roberts dispassionately, with frankness and sound judgment, records for posterity a very interesting part of the story of an event that, over four decades cost the province dearly in both treasure and political reputation.” — From the foreword by Clyde K. Wells

Joseph Roberts Smallwood, the first premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, and the “only living father of Confederation,” announced his intention to retire from politics in 1968. However, he stayed on, and was eventually defeated in the 1971 election by Progressive Conservative leader Frank Moores. Smallwood’s last days in politics were marked by controversy. For the first time, insiders such as Edward Roberts, Clyde Wells, and others give first-hand accounts of the tumultuous—and scandalous—final months in power of Premier Joey Smallwood.

276 pages, Paperback

Published July 29, 2022

Reviews

[Chris Russell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent enough. I was hoping for 250 pages more comprehensively covering the last months or year of the Smallwood government, but it’s really 70 pages about one specific scandal at the end, followed by 200 pages of excerpts from other (better) books. I can’t really include those other books in my rating though.