My colleagues in Ottawa recently shared their thoughts on what they think are the top news sites, blogs and tweeters covering Canadian politics. I have certainly embraced the benefits of social media like all of us here at FH, but I still enjoy a more traditional approach to gaining perspective on politics.
In no particular order, here are my favorite books I’d recommend:
What It Takes, Richard Ben Cramer
This book chronicles the experiences of the Republican and Democratic candidates who were vying for the Presidency in 1988. I highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in learning more about the daily grind of a national campaign and the unique candidate personalities of George Bush, Bob Dole, Michael Dukakis, Gary Hart, Richard Gephardt and current American Vice President Joe Biden.
Matthews was a former Senate aide, presidential speech writer and assistant to Tip O’Neill. His book is often referred to as a contemporary version of Machiavelli’s the Prince. It is considered by many as a must have field guide for survival in the modern day world of politics.
Harper’s Team: Behind the Scenes in the Conservative Rise to Power, Tom Flanagan
Tom Flanagan served as one of Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s top strategists for many years. He was instrumental in the Conservatives Rise to Power (hence the title of his book). Flanagan’s book paints a portrait of a young Stephen Harper and his evolution to a ‘giant killer’ that put an end to thirteen years of Liberal Party reign.
The Revolution will not be Televised, Joe Trippi
Joe Trippi was Howard Dean’s Presidential Campaign Manager and can largely take credit for the integration of social media into mainstream politics. Howard Dean’s campaign is infamously remembered for this incident:
But, Trippi’s book takes you much deeper and gives you a perspective on a people’s movement in politics that was bigger than the candidate and campaign ever imagined was possible.
The Big Red Machine: How the Liberal Party Dominates Canadian Politics, Stephen Clarkson
The title is a little behind the times eh? Well give some credit to its author Stephen Clarkson. When he published the book in October 2005 the Liberals were still in power, the Conservatives were still divided and nobody knew who Justice John Gomery was. Clarkson’s book is a detailed account of the nine electoral contests from 1974 – 2004 and is certainly a must read for anyone who is interested in the last three decades of Canadian politics.
Paikin who is currently the host of The Agenda on TVO has authored three books about Canadian politics; my personal favorite is the Dark Side. Paikin’s book takes a no-holds-barred approach to looking at the potential pitfalls of a public life. A great read for anyone who is considering running for public office or for anyone who thinks politicians lead a life without worry.
W.A.C. Bennett, The Rise of British Columbia (BC), David J. Mitchell
Mitchell’s book is a biography of BC’s most famous Premier. This is required reading for anyone who is trying to understand the complex world of BC politics. The book covers many of the major developments that helped shaped the province throughout Bennett’s lengthy political career. It also covers the years after his death, the destruction of the Social Credit Party and the emergence of the BC Liberals.
