The Idea of Canada: Letters to a Nation

by David Johnston

From our present Governor General, a series of 50 (of several thousand) carefully chosen letters he has written to people he has admired and befriended over his seventy-plus years, that sets out Mr. Johnston's frank, informed, and novel thoughts about Canada.

Touching on a wide range of topics ranging from learning, the law, kindness and courage, to the monarchy, Aboriginal education, justice, bilingualism, mental health and hockey, David Johnston has always used the letter writing form to tackle the passions, challenges, and goals of his incredibly accomplished and varied life. From his earliest years at Harvard, he has written several letters each day, starting with those to his large family, and broadening out to an ever-widening circle of friends that includes ministers and monarchs, educators and entrepreneurs, and many extraordinary Canadians who have deepened his perspective and touched his heart. The letters included in this beautiful volume are all about Canada -- a project to help him understand and share his views on this great country, past, present and future.
     Presented in three parts -- What Shapes Me, What Consumes Me, and What Comforts Me -- His Excellency reaches out to everyone from his grandchildren, Kevin Vickers, Clara Hughes, Chris Hadfield, the Aga Khan, Tina Fontaine, Mike Lazaridis, the teachers of our country, a grade five class in Winnipeg, an Inuit boy he met at the Terry Fox run in Repulse Bay, and many others. The perfect gift for graduates, this unique and lovely book should find its home in every Canadian's library.

Genres: Canada, Nonfiction, Politics

320 pages, Hardcover

First published April 12, 2016

About the author

Governor of Canada

Reviews

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Idea of Canada: Letters to a Nation by former Governer General David Johnston, is an interesting little book full of ideas, thoughts and musings on Canada as a nation, all written in letter format. Johnston, it seems, used to use letter writing as a tool to process, form and finalize ideas, and this is a publication of many of the letters he has written to both living people, and those from his past. Each letter contains a particular thought or idea on Canada, addressed to either a politician, or some sort of figure. For those who do not know, David Johnstone was the former Governer General in Canada, a position that is highly symbolic - representing the authority of the Crown in Canadian government. His position ensured that he traveled across the country and abroad frequently, participated in Canadian cultural events, and met many dignitaries, politicians and important figures across the country.

This also means he had the opportunity to think on and consider many issues affecting the country, and on ways to address or consider them. His letters reached such famous figures as Chris Hadfield - famous Canadian astronaut, and Enrique Peña Nieto, current President of Mexico. He also wrote to the Minister of Culture, the entire bar of Canadian Law Clerks, and so on and so forth. His letters touch on subjects as ranged as violence in Hockey, to judicial independence, the importance of global trade, and the importance of multiculturalism in Canadian society. These letters were often touching, inspiring and informative, and really help cement many ideas concerning Canada in an intellectual framework. The letters are thoughtful and highly readable, and are often more practical than fluffy - a benefit in my opinion.

Even so, many of the letters are uncontroversial. As Governer General, he certainly had a party line to pander, and did not step out of bounds too frequently in his letter writing. I have little qualms about this, as it fits his position and offers some good, centrist discourse on what it means to be Canadian, and many of the ideas surrounding how our nation functions in an idealistic sense. Still, some more hard hitting or controversial letters would have made the book a five-star in my opinion. All in all, Johnston has written a wonderful little book on Canada, and an important one. This is an easy recommendation for those who wish to read about Canadian ideas and cultural and political concepts that are not too in depth, but also a good fluff read for those who enjoy a deeper read on Canadian political concepts. It certainly comes from a prestigious author, and should not be missed by any Canadiana reader.

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I suppose one way to become a politician is by always speaking eloquently but rarely saying anything. It doesn't make for great writing, unfortunately. At one point, I realized that I'd read a few dozen pages and had not read anything memorable. In fact, I began to think about Terry Pratchett's wizards from the Unseen University, and then remembered that Johnston spent much of his career as a university administrator.

The best idea in the book is that it might be worthwhile to write a letter to someone every morning.

[Aaron Lorenz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful collection of letters that does the best job laying out a pluralistic yet coherent vision of Canada. There are few books with which I have nodded in a agreement with more. Every time my heart or brain disagreed with the Author I felt sad; as if I new I was wrong.

[Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

David Johnston is an admirable mentor for navigating this world, our nation, and ourselves.
The letter format makes for brief readable chunks on a range of topics including service, philanthropy, education, war, time and place, indigenous peoples, adoption, hockey, Quebec, reading, and of course Canada.
Johnston's consistent use of "threes" to summarize his opinions and the opinions of others is clear and refreshing.
Really an enjoyable read.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

David Johnsons book is a series of letters touching on a wide range of topics ranging from learning, the law, reading to your children/grandchildren, kindness and courage, to the monarchy, Aboriginal education, bilingualism, mental health and hockey,
I took a few notes.. here are a few of the things I jotted down.

-Champlain was a good leader
-It is smart to get to know about your town/ city
-I liked the way he referred to heroes as "wrong way guys"
-Use letters to stress the positives and use other means to convey and manage the negative
-Giving is chemistry not math
-William Kurelek suffered from mental illness
-"Service is the rent we pay for our space on this earth"
-We don't have to be an astronaut or explorer to gain perspective ....we can be readers and learners and travellers
-I would like to be called Grandma Book
-I always thought the Governor General's post was just ceremonial not to uphold Canada's system of government
-We derive more happiness from social connections than our bank accounts
-Our greatest challenge is complacency
-Canadian and American scientists, researchers, investors, entrepreneurs, and business people must build partnerships?????
-Johnson feels that religion is not a question of reason but a question of faith. His daughters believe "Man made God. God did not make man"
-Minds are like parachutes they are most affective when open
-Only 7 % of foster kids in Canada are adopted
-Canadian Forces Station Alert is the world's most northerly permanently occupied settlement. It is a research base
-George Stanley is designer of our flag in 1965
-This country is great because we have built political and economic institutions that are inclusive
-Service is the highest calling..weather to family, community or country....
????? Order of Canada to all those people with talent...Johnson says they desire to make a better country...but doesn't that
have a great deal to do with natural talent
-Canadians need to be more pretentious when it comes to giving...we don't have enough philanthropists
-What are we giving to Canada
for the 150?

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a compelling book of letters written by David Johnston, Canada's former Governor General (written while he was in office in 2016 for our upcoming 150th anniversary of our sovereignty in 2017). David has had a life long practice of letter writing typically writing at least two every morning.

These letters are written to various people, alive or dead or imaginary, famous or ordinary citizens, all with the purpose of exploring what are the values and beliefs that embody what Canada stands for and what Canadians practice. It is a thoughtful book exploring integrity, service, education and research, volunteerism, our role and experiences in war, good government, our cultural mosaic and the gifts of immigrants, our roots and history, the hope for the leadership of future generations etc.
A thoughtful read by clearly a man of purpose, intelligence, integrity and grace with a desire to extend our legacy as people and a country.

[Andrew Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this enjoyable read, Johnston lays out an assembly of letters that spans a range of Canadian issues/topics, constructing a vision of a Canada-to-be. While it may be critiqued as simply being platitudes, the apolitical reality of the Governor General position must be considered, and the nature of the questions he deals with are ones that if he went into detail, the book would be not one to enjoy, but to labour through.

[Nyx · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ll admit to not completely reading this whole book. There were many letters I skimmed. It was a sometime interesting, though often bland, look at many Canadian issues in my opinion though from a very hopeful outlook I must say. It’s optimistic, but not what I personally need right now as a Canadian

[A. · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was OK. Some letters are very moving. Others feel repetitive, without a lot of point, or have too much of listing other people's accomplishments in an almost rote manner. Apparently, Samuel de Champlain had an interesting life though, so I might check out a book on him at some point!

[Michael Molyneaux · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the premise, not the execution. He repeated himself, and it felt rambely at time. Should have been condensed. I think the list of Canadians lacked diversity across the board east/west, native/not, profession etc. I love the concept and would steal it.

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve been reading this off and on this year; seems like a fitting book to complete this year’s reading challenge with.

[Xiao Wen Xu · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very eloquent and wholesome collection of letters from David Johnston to various Canadians who have inspired him. Each of the letters focuses on a unique Canadian figure or topic.

[Elijah Reinhardt · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I know a man whose school could never teach him patriotism, but who acquired that virtue when he felt in his bones the vastness of this country and the greatness of those who founded it."

[Carol · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some letters I found more interesting than others. It was okay but not worth a re-read

[David Cavaco · Rating 4 out of 5]

Captivating compilation of letters by former Governor General of Canada, David Johnston to Canadians of all different walks of life. Better than expected!

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting and inspiring read.

[Cathy Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful, informative book.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was initially intruiged to read this collection of letters written by Canada's current Governor General. I have read, and loved letter collections before (84 Charing Cross lane), but this collection fell flat. I think that my lack of enthusiasm for this book has more to do with the style of the letters, rather than the quality of writing. His Right Honorable David Johnston has been writing letters everyday for most of his life. His written work is well done, but the lack of reciprocal communication made it difficult to become invested. The chosen letters were all either hypothetical, or written without design for response. One thing I can say I learned from this collection, is that the author really loves Samuel de Champlain.

[Sherry Monger · Rating 4 out of 5]

David Johnston, our Governor General, has been a prolific letter writer his entire life. He writes to people he admires, he writes to thank others and he writes to broaden his understanding of a particular topic. Johnston is Harvard educated (and played on their hockey team) and has been the law dean at Western, the principal at McGill and the president of the University of Waterloo. In addition to an illustrious career, he and his wife Sharon have also raised 5 daughters. Johnston is not only an intellectual, he is also a deeply moral and principled man. One senses his commitment to his family and his nation through these moving letters.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this format that David Johnston, our Governor General, used in this book. Each chapter is a letter written to someone he has encountered in his life.
I recommend this book -it is thoughtful and interesting.

[Emily Bryant · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm inspired to write daily letters. This was not what I expected, a lot of brief history and genuine letters from a man who dreams of a better nation. Glad I picked it up.