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Rise to Greatness, Volume 3: Realm (1949-2017): The History of Canada From the Vikings to the Present
Colourful, comprehensive, and masterfully written, this is the third and final volume in a major history of our country by one of our most respected thinkers and historians—a book every Canadian should own.
From the acclaimed biographer and historian Conrad Black comes the definitive history of Canada—a vivid, revelatory account of the people and events that shaped a nation.
The final of three volumes, spanning from the year 1949-2014, this compelling history challenges our perception of our Canada's role in the world, taking on sweeping themes and recounting the story of Canada's development from colony to dominion to country.
Black persuasively reveals that while many would argue that Canada was perhaps never predestined for greatness, the opposite is in fact the emergence of a magnificent country, against all odds, was a remarkable achievement. Brilliantly conceived, this major new reexamination of our country's history is a riveting tour de force by one of the best writers writing today.
From the acclaimed biographer and historian Conrad Black comes the definitive history of Canada—a vivid, revelatory account of the people and events that shaped a nation.
The final of three volumes, spanning from the year 1949-2014, this compelling history challenges our perception of our Canada's role in the world, taking on sweeping themes and recounting the story of Canada's development from colony to dominion to country.
Black persuasively reveals that while many would argue that Canada was perhaps never predestined for greatness, the opposite is in fact the emergence of a magnificent country, against all odds, was a remarkable achievement. Brilliantly conceived, this major new reexamination of our country's history is a riveting tour de force by one of the best writers writing today.
368 pages, Paperback
Published May 5, 2017
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About the author
Conrad Black
51 books79 followersConrad Black is a Canadian-born British peer, and former publisher of the London Daily Telegraph, The Spectator, the Chicago Sun-Times, the Jerusalem Post, and founder of Canada's National Post.
He is a columnist and regular contributor to several publications, including National Review Online, The New Criterion, The National Interest, American Greatness, the New York Sun, and the National Post.
As an acclaimed author and biographer, Lord Black has published comprehensive histories of both Canada and the United States, as well as authoritative biographies of Maurice Duplessis, and presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt, Richard Nixon, and Donald Trump.
Lord Black is also a television and radio commentator and a sporadic participant in the current affairs programming of CNN, Fox News, CTV, CBC, BBC, and Radio Canada.
He is a columnist and regular contributor to several publications, including National Review Online, The New Criterion, The National Interest, American Greatness, the New York Sun, and the National Post.
As an acclaimed author and biographer, Lord Black has published comprehensive histories of both Canada and the United States, as well as authoritative biographies of Maurice Duplessis, and presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt, Richard Nixon, and Donald Trump.
Lord Black is also a television and radio commentator and a sporadic participant in the current affairs programming of CNN, Fox News, CTV, CBC, BBC, and Radio Canada.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
July 14, 2019
Black’s language and views are entertainment in themselves. A great survey of ‘stodgy’ Canadian history. Volume 3 (Realm, 1949 - present) is not as cogent as Volume 2 (Rise to Greatness, 1867-1949). Possibly writing ‘current history’ is too sensitive for its recency to many older readers.
May 1, 2021
A great read, although disappointing Volume 3 ends at the start of 2017.
It would be remiss to not mention the previous two volumes of which I thoroughly enjoyed. Conrad Black's approach to history, blending intimate personal histories of the key characters with their policies, goals, trials, and tribulations within a backdrop of competing powers and nations. The author maintained his descriptive in-depth recounting of the key people and events that shaped Canada in this post-WW2 volume.
I found this volume the hardest to read, mainly due to the fact its timeframe is my lived experience. Volume 1&2 covered earlier periods in which the reader would have no personal connection with the key figures of Canadian history or its events. That said, I was riveted by the author's description of characters that directly shaped our country to the present 2021. Conrad is fair in his judgements of Prime Ministers pointing out both their achievements and their faults in equal measure. This is an admirable retelling of this period where personal bias of the lived experience would definitely bias the reader, yet Conrad managed a balance. Notably, that one Prime Minister personally attacked the author is publicly well known, of which Conrad did not mention nor condemn in his description of his protagonist.
The Cold War, UN Peacekeeping, and Quebec separatism dominates this volume in which the author documents well both triumphs and failures in sobering factual style without hype. Conrad covers fully the sensitive issues of Quebec separation in remarkable detail revealing much about both federalists and separatists. These same issues, including some of the main characters, remain active and alive today.
Highly recommended in-depth three-volume study of Canada's origins, and development to the present. I sincerely hope in a couple of years the author manages either a fourth volume or a volume 3 edition 2.
It would be remiss to not mention the previous two volumes of which I thoroughly enjoyed. Conrad Black's approach to history, blending intimate personal histories of the key characters with their policies, goals, trials, and tribulations within a backdrop of competing powers and nations. The author maintained his descriptive in-depth recounting of the key people and events that shaped Canada in this post-WW2 volume.
I found this volume the hardest to read, mainly due to the fact its timeframe is my lived experience. Volume 1&2 covered earlier periods in which the reader would have no personal connection with the key figures of Canadian history or its events. That said, I was riveted by the author's description of characters that directly shaped our country to the present 2021. Conrad is fair in his judgements of Prime Ministers pointing out both their achievements and their faults in equal measure. This is an admirable retelling of this period where personal bias of the lived experience would definitely bias the reader, yet Conrad managed a balance. Notably, that one Prime Minister personally attacked the author is publicly well known, of which Conrad did not mention nor condemn in his description of his protagonist.
The Cold War, UN Peacekeeping, and Quebec separatism dominates this volume in which the author documents well both triumphs and failures in sobering factual style without hype. Conrad covers fully the sensitive issues of Quebec separation in remarkable detail revealing much about both federalists and separatists. These same issues, including some of the main characters, remain active and alive today.
Highly recommended in-depth three-volume study of Canada's origins, and development to the present. I sincerely hope in a couple of years the author manages either a fourth volume or a volume 3 edition 2.
November 23, 2020
8/10. Volume 3 done. Overall, this history is more a political and policy history of Canada. Very little detail on Canadian culture and important historical events to the average Canadian. Things like the cancellation of the Arrow program and the subsequent decimation of our aerospace industry get a measly paragraph. A couple pages on the 1995 Quebec referendum that almost split the country. Yet pages upon pages outlining all the policy decisions of each ruling party over the entire history of the country. Overall though, a relatively condensed yet comprehensive history of the homeland.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews