No Holds Barred: My Life in Politics

by John C. Crosbie

John Crosbie became famous in Canada as a politician unlike the others, someone with a sharp tongue who has always spoken his mind. Now that he is out of politics, he has given us a book that will have many politicians and public figures running for cover–and many readers chuckling and cheering him on.

This memoir takes us from Crosbie’s younger days as a medal-winning student to municipal politics in St. John’s and then the crucible of Joey Smallwood’s corrupt dictatorship. (And if that phrase seems too strong, the proof is in these pages.) The stories of those Newfoundland days seem almost incredible now, and affected Crosbie’s attitude towards greater provincial powers.

We tend to forget that John Crosbie came close to succeeding Joe Clark as Tory leader. Typically, it was his testy response (“I can’t speak Chinese either”) to a question about his French that crippled his campaign and gave Brian Mulroney a narrow win. But he served at the very highest levels as minister of finance, transport, justice, international trade, and fisheries and oceans. He was arguably Mulroney’s most effective cabinet minister, and it is instructive to see just how progressive his legislative record–which included promotion of gay rights and divorce reform–was.

He was not, however, the most reticent of ministers, and this book is studded with unrepentant “Crosbie-isms.” Never one to worry about political correctness, he delivers powerful broadsides on such topics as patronage, feminism, and the “lazy” and “uninformed” media.

In No Holds Barred , Crosbie offers trenchant opinions on issues ranging from Atlantic Canada’s prospects after Quebec separation and the desirability of fostering a closer relationship with Castro’s Cuba. At the same time, he shrewdly and unflinchingly assesses the politicians he has known. He describes the baseness of Smallwood, the laidback style of Frank Moores, the vacillation of Joe Clark, and the crass opportunism of the “brothel-creeping” Liberals. He evaluates Kim Campbell’s disastrous leadership of the Conservative Party and discusses his epic feud with “Tequila” Sheila Copps. Nothing is withheld in this entertaining (and sometimes outrageous) memoir by one of the dominant politicians of his generation.

Genres: Politics, Biography, Nonfiction

512 pages, Paperback

First published October 25, 1997

Reviews

[Alex Gibson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had read news articles that stated on the work John Crosbie had done in the past, but I never truly realized the significant contributions he had made to the province of Newfoundland and Labrador until finishing this book.

What a polarizing figure even in some of the chapters to his book some of his directions/attitudes I did not agree with, but I would chuckle with his fortitude and gumption to push on. The Fisheries, Hibernia, ACOA, and so much more have their roots so embedded in this NL character.

This book is a surprisingly easy read, the chapters are well laid out and flow smoothly with Crosbie's political career. I would recommend to any that wants to know more about the history of NL, especially if you're a political follower.

[Margo Allore · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It was given to me as an X-mas gift. John Crosbie talks about his life in politics - gives background of his very impressive family (warts and all). Takes us through the Smallwood years--I learned that Smallwood was essentially a crook. Then into federal politics. What I liked is that I remember Crosbie's time in federal politics so it was interesting his comments about other politicians.

[Brian Carrigan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have seen John Crosbie on the news in the past but reading this book has shown a better side of him and his true concern for our Island and the people as well as the mainland. A well written book of his life.