Trudeau's Shadow: The Life and Legacy of Pierre Elliott Trudeau

by Andrew Cohen, J.L. Granatstein

Published on the 30th anniversary of Trudeau's coming to power, this fascinating collection of twenty-three original, eclectic essays offers a fresh perspective on the life and legacy of our country's fifteenth prime minister. The contributors, all Canadian - historians, journalists, philosophers, playwrights, novelists, and former politicians - survey Trudeau as part of the Canadian political tradition, but also as lover, outdoorsman,    communicator, and cultural icon.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, History, Canada

416 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

Reviews

[Ty Bradley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This collection of essays really helped to advance my understanding Trudeau and the various issues associated with him. This is a fairly extensive volume, including essays on how he made people feel, his economic policies, his ideas on nationhood and the constitution, and his shortcomings. Naturally because this is a collection of essays, some are better than others. Essays by Linda Griffiths, Mark Kingwell and B.W. Powe were outstanding in how well they transmitted the feelings that Trudeau inspired in people, both from up close and from afar. Some of the more informative and policy-dense essays were by Linda Mcquaig, Andrew Cohen and Max Nemni. My apologies to Bob Rae, his essay in this is not very well written. Andrew Coyne's essay on the deficit is also quite boring. Overall this collection of essays really emphasized Trudeau as a larger than life figure with an enormous impact on the development of Canada. Trudeau was arrogant, enigmatic, intelligent, and decisive. His policies made Canada the modern liberal nation that it is today, and likely blunted the forces of Quebec nationalism. In a country of drab and managerial politics, he was an interesting and domineering figure. As I went through this book I just wanted to keep reading more of the essays to learn more about Canada's philosopher king. Such an interesting figure. This text gives a holistic portrait of his legacy that really does his importance justice.

[Horus · Rating 5 out of 5]

This excellent compilation of essays about Trudeau was written before his death, and the death of his son Michel. The latter only resonates with the final essay, written by a friend who’s approach is more relaxed than most of the other submissions, but is a well chosen closure to the book. Polarizing as he was, and in some ways still is, the essays vary from the almost worshipful, to almost respectful hatred. Most however acknowledge his failures while lauding his successes. And a couple are really thoughtful and worth reading slowly as they take apart different arguments for and against his policies (mainly looking at the patriation of our Constitution). After the very recent use by Ontario Premier Rob Ford, of the Notwithstanding Clause, some of the reading here is both educational and troublesome. Definitely worth reading for any student of Canadian political history.

[Jean-François Lisée · Rating 3 out of 5]

Inégal, mais plusieurs excellents témoignages.

[Daniel Kukwa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of the memories are same-old/same-old recycled stories...others are fantastic and poignant and hilarious. A solid, if slightly unremarkable, nostalgia-fest about a remarkable man.