With another Canadian election slated for early May, 2011, Harperland: The Politics of Control, by Marin Lawrence, is a must read (or hear) before you go to the polls. Harperland, the story Stephen Harper's first four years in power, soared to the top of the best-seller lists in the first week it was out. Peter C. Newman called it A book of revelations.... This is Stephen Harper unplugged. Don Martin of The National Post declared that it was an excellent book that provides insights, which the Prime Minister could well learn from. In Harperland, Stephen Harper's governance comes under the microscope of prominent Globe and Mail columnist Lawrence Martin. Focusing on the growth of executive power under Harper and drawing on interviews with prominent insiders, Martin probes the smearing of opponents, the silencing of the public and diplomatic service, the secrecy, the prorogations, the unprecedented centralizing of power, and the attempted muzzling of the media. He examines controversies such as the existence of a secret dirty-tricks handbook, the Chuck Cadman affair, campaign financing, the dismissal of nuclear power head Linda Keen, the Afghan detainees cover-up, the turning of access-to-information laws into barricades to information, and more -- and lets readers draw their own conclusions. Tough but balanced, Harperland offers a clear picture of a skilled politician at a crucial point in Canadian politics.
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"The portrait of Stephen Harper as a brilliant man with a vindictive streak was on the whole fair, I thought. I'd have liked to know more background -- what made Mr. Harper so mistrustful of democracy that he must vet every comment his Conservative MPs say publicly. " — Marguerite (4 out of 5 stars)
"The portrait of Stephen Harper as a brilliant man with a vindictive streak was on the whole fair, I thought. I'd have liked to know more background -- what made Mr. Harper so mistrustful of democracy that he must vet every comment his Conservative MPs say publicly. "
" Rather alarming to realize that Mr. Harper has been given pretty much a free reign by both his own party and the opposition because they are so afraid of reprecussions from the PMO's office. Shame on them and shame on us for not calling them on it enough. "
" Actually took it pretty easy on the man who would be king. "
" The portrait of Stephen Harper as a brilliant man with a vindictive streak was on the whole fair, I thought. I'd have liked to know more background -- what made Mr. Harper so mistrustful of democracy that he must vet every comment his Conservative MPs say publicly. "
" Great overview of the past few years of Harper's government. Goes from his early days before reform until just after the 2011 election. Really interesting to see what drives Harper and how he and his staff operate. "
" Lots of food for thought. I read this a while ago, but the Oda scandal makes it all the more relevant. "
" A great expose of the relentless drive of our current Prime Minister to prevail at any cost. All Canadians should read this. "
" started before the election. didn't finish it. will do so some day (next election?) "
" An interesting read despite the obvious bias of the author. "
" Very compelling read into our prime minister. "
" This catalogue of Harper's flaws offers juicy quotes but little else. The events will be familiar to anyone who reads the papers, and Martin's rhetoric is over the top, even for those who aren't fans of the Conservatives. "
" Glad I read this...it did nothing but reinforce my dislike for this dictatorial pm. It will be a long four or give years 'till our next election. "
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