Ottawa

Master of his domain

The book of the moment in deepest Ottawa is Lawrence Martin’s Harperland. My short contribution to the discussion appeared in the magazine last week.

And as the title might suggest, the Prime Minister here is nothing less than a relentless and merciless force who dominates everything and everyone in the capital. Often not in a good way. Some—many for partisan reasons—may have already decided as much. Some—many for partisan reasons—will quibble. But what’s here is a record that should have to be reconciled. And perhaps all sides could agree that, however you view that record, the nature and extent of Harper’s tenure is often misunderstood and wildly underestimated in the rush to the next headline.

Peter C. Newman and Susan Riley have penned full reviews. Bob Plamondon has attempted to rationalize from a conservative perspective.

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