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Harperland: The Politics of Control
After four years in power, 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 unpr...more
Hardcover, 320 pages
Published
October 5th 2010
by Viking Canada
(first published October 1st 2010)
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Lawrence Martin has an engaging, effortless writing style that draws you in right from the first sentence. I wanted to read Harperland because of Parliament's increasing dissatisfaction with Prime Minister Stephen Harper. I put it on hold at the Toronto Public Library, and by the time I got it, the election was underway. I wanted to read it more than ever by then, but anticipating a tough slog of the must-read kind of reading, I procrastinated. I should've known better.
I had read one of Martin's...more
I had read one of Martin's...more
Ten things you don’t know about Steve Harper, the leader of Canada’s “Corporate Party”
1. Harper’s an Evangelist (i.e. a Holy Roller, but he doesn’t believe in it, it’s just for show, it’s actually just a front for “corporate interests”)
1. Harper’s church rejected divorcee Laureen, so after living common-law together, they married in a civil ceremony on December 11, 1993. So much for his religious shtick.
2. He's getting divorced (check out his website, all pics of Harper and Laureen together have...more
1. Harper’s an Evangelist (i.e. a Holy Roller, but he doesn’t believe in it, it’s just for show, it’s actually just a front for “corporate interests”)
1. Harper’s church rejected divorcee Laureen, so after living common-law together, they married in a civil ceremony on December 11, 1993. So much for his religious shtick.
2. He's getting divorced (check out his website, all pics of Harper and Laureen together have...more
Feb 11, 2012
Gail Martin
marked it as to-read
Interesting read -- the rise of a politician with a not so blind ambition. On the contrary, the silent minority has been blind-sided by Harper's sneaky maneuverings in Ottawa on behalf of big business. Can't wait to read the sequel, 'the fall of a polititican'. Sorry, hard to be objective about this snake in the grass. Kudos to Lawrence Martin for his restraint -- at times, I could have sworn he actually liked his subject.
As someone who follows politics and very much disagrees with Harper's ideologies and tactics, this book didn't offer me much new information. Martin did do a great job at presenting some behind the scenes information that any die hard political junkie, like myself, thoroughly enjoyed. At times I actually found myself understanding some of Harper's decisions but that quickly faded and my disgust and anger towards this man, his ideologies, his lack of respect for democracy and his employers (the C...more
Well written book about the pre-majority government years of Prime Minister Stephen Harper. The author focuses in on what he calls the "politics of control" that Mr. Harper has used to such success in expanding the power of the Prime Minister to unprecedented levels. The author is reasonably level-handed, showing the good with the bad, and presents a compelling case that Mr. Harper has had a destructive impact on democracy in Canada.
The reading of this book left me perplex. It surely highlights how anti-democratic Harper's top-to-bottom methods are. However, it also shines a light on how disciplined and effective he is, two characteristics that are utterly needed in the public arena.
Harperland is an interesting read for whomever wants to get a better grasp of Harper's accomplishments (both constructive and destructive), and a more complete portrait of one of Canada's most controversial prime ministers.
Harperland is an interesting read for whomever wants to get a better grasp of Harper's accomplishments (both constructive and destructive), and a more complete portrait of one of Canada's most controversial prime ministers.
An important read for all Canadians. A well-researched and well-presented profile of a strict, disciplined, controlling leader who plays a lot of dirty politics, has been singularly focused on destroying the Liberal party and whose political leanings are far more right than many people may realise. Canadians should be paying much closer attention to the man driving this bus and just where he seems to be taking us.
How odd that my original review of this book disappeared from GoodReads. (I just noticed that it was missing tonight when I went to add it to a bookshelf I was creating.)
Harperland provides a well-researched and thought-provoking portrait of Stephen Harper's rise to power, as written by a top political journalist. Highly recommended.
Harperland provides a well-researched and thought-provoking portrait of Stephen Harper's rise to power, as written by a top political journalist. Highly recommended.
Mr. Martin certainly wrote a very thorough, thoughtful and insightful review of not only Stephen Harper, but his party as well. I find it amazing that Mr. Harper harbours such long-standing hatreds and slights and can't seem to stop himself for going for the jogular when matters are not going his way.
Lawrence Martin portrays Harper as a ruthless, suspicious, mean spirited leader obsessed with control. He not only wants to defeat his enemies ... he wants to maim them.
What happened to his ideals of open, accountable government, senate reform … access to information? It is frightening he comes across more Putin than Sir John A.
What happened to his ideals of open, accountable government, senate reform … access to information? It is frightening he comes across more Putin than Sir John A.
I don't like anything about Harper so had to really steel myself to read this book - but have to say that it confirmed why I don't like anything about Harper. He's a bully, a liar, a cheat and the eyes don't lie - he is not to be trusted.
Best companion book to this one I can think of is The Sociopath Next Door.
Lawrence Martin did us all a great service by writing this book.
I recommend it.
Best companion book to this one I can think of is The Sociopath Next Door.
Lawrence Martin did us all a great service by writing this book.
I recommend it.
A sad litany of the betrayal of promises and the cynical manipulation of power by the conservatives over the last decade. Attack ads and the control of information are the legacy of the new right in Canada. They have learned well from their american cousins. My greatest fear is that they actually represent the new political leanings of this generation of canadians. God help us all ( at leat that's what I would say if I actually thought there was a god).
Harperland was a well written accounting of Stephen Harper's political career.I learned some things I did not know and tried to remain aware that all tales can have multiple tellings.I thought the author presented a good background and explanation as to why things unfolded as they did.I am actually surprised to see this book in print.I guess there are still a few things that Mr Harper cannot control.
Jun 30, 2011
rabbitprincess
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
CanPol junkies
Recommended to rabbitprincess by:
Ottawa Citizen (Sep 5/2010)
An important book in light of its subject's recent majority government, albeit a highly depressing one. Reasonably well-informed readers will recall most of the events in this book, even the ones they may have wanted to forget. What's surprising is just how far Harper is willing to go to completely demolish his enemies and what he is prepared to do in quest of power. Martin's interviews extend over all party lines and include former staffers, so there is no shortage of viewpoints and it feels li...more
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.
May 25, 2011
Marguerite
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
anyone who follows federal Canadian politics
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.
A great expose of the relentless drive of our current Prime Minister to prevail at any cost. All Canadians should read this.
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.
An interesting read despite the obvious bias of the author.
Actually took it pretty easy on the man who would be king.
Very compelling read into our prime minister.
In Harperland, Lawrence Martin takes a balanced and fair view of Stephen Harper's first four years in office. Through interviews with friends and colleagues, Martin paints a portrait of a man who is secretive, controlling, and also very shrewd and gifted with strong beliefs and a determination to make his vision of Canada a reality. Michael Puttonen does a great job of breathing life into the array of characters surrounding Stephen Harper and the conservative government. All Canadians should lis...more
This is a pretty good run-down of all the reasons to find Harper and his people scary and loathsome. It covers the issues that have been in the public eye over the last 5 years, as well as some background info from the Reform & Alliance days. What it didn't really get into, which I am curious about, is WHY THE HELL IS HE LIKE THIS? But it's not all bad. Some of Harper's traits I can understand, recognize in myself, and even almost admire, but not the way he uses them. Too much killer instinc...more
Jul 26, 2011
H Wesselius
added it
It really should be subtitled a thousand and one reasons not to vote Conservative in the next election.
Reads like a horror novel... unfortunately, not fiction.
Lawrence Martin wants me to believe that Stephen Harper is a monster and I don't mind accepting this notion.
Lawrence Martin wants me to believe that Stephen Harper is a monster and I don't mind accepting this notion.
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.
Lots of food for thought. I read this a while ago, but the Oda scandal makes it all the more relevant.
started before the election. didn't finish it. will do so some day (next election?)
May 17, 2013
Sash
marked it as to-read
May 16, 2013
Chelsea
marked it as to-read
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“For [Stephen] Harper, a national daycare plan bordered on being a socialist scheme, a phrase he had once used to describe the Kyoto Protocol on climate change. For [Paul] Martin, whose plan would have transferred to the provinces $5 billion over five years, the national program was what Canadianism was all about. "Think about it this way," [Martin] said. "What if, decades ago, Tommy Douglas and my father and Lester Pearson had considered the idea of medicare and then said, 'Forget it! Let's just give people twenty-five dollars a week.' You want a fundamental difference between Mr. Harper and myself? Well, this is it.”
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6 people liked it
“As opposition leader, [Stephen Harper] wrote in the Montreal Gazette in the year before he came to power: 'Information is the lifeblood of a democracy. Without adequate access to key information about government policies and programs, citizens and parliamentarians cannot make informed decisions and incompetent or corrupt governments can be hidden under a cloak of secrecy.'
When he became prime minister, his attitude appeared to undergo a shift of considerable proportions. It often took the Conservatives twice as long as previous governments to handle access requests. Sometimes it took six months to a year.”
—
5 people liked it
More quotes…
When he became prime minister, his attitude appeared to undergo a shift of considerable proportions. It often took the Conservatives twice as long as previous governments to handle access requests. Sometimes it took six months to a year.”
May 04, 2011 08:06am
Given computer technology allows one to create all book formats from the same text file, it really is amazing they had all these typos.
May 04, 2011 08:21am