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Robert Porter #1
Ultimatum
An explosion at the top of the world - a crisis is closer than we think.
Richard Rohmer’s Ultimatum is the story of the U.S. invading Canada as written by a Canadian. More precisely, it is the buildup to the invasion, the haggling, set in the backdrop of the 1970s energy crisis as the embargo-facing US confronts resource-rich Canada.
Richard Rohmer’s Ultimatum is the story of the U.S. invading Canada as written by a Canadian. More precisely, it is the buildup to the invasion, the haggling, set in the backdrop of the 1970s energy crisis as the embargo-facing US confronts resource-rich Canada.
227 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1973
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About the author
Richard Rohmer
51 books8 followersMajor-General (Ret'd) Richard Heath Rohmer, OC, CMM, DFC, O.Ont, KStJ, CD, OL, QC, JD, LLD (born in 1924). Canada's most decorated citizen, an aviator, a senior lawyer (aviation law), adviser to business leaders and the Government of Ontario and is a prolific writer. Rohmer was born in Hamilton, Ontario, and spent some of his early youth in Pasadena, California as well as in western Ontario at Windsor and Fort Erie.
The Peterborough Examiner's lead editorial of 14 January 2009 says this: "Rohmer, one of Canada's most colourful figures of the past half-century, was a World War II fighter pilot, later a major-general in the armed forces reserve, a high-profile lawyer and a successful novelist and biographer."
The Peterborough Examiner's lead editorial of 14 January 2009 says this: "Rohmer, one of Canada's most colourful figures of the past half-century, was a World War II fighter pilot, later a major-general in the armed forces reserve, a high-profile lawyer and a successful novelist and biographer."
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
April 12, 2016
I really enjoyed Ultimatum and the sequel Exxoneration. I read it many years ago, but I think about it regularly which, I think, is a good sign of the impact of a book. It's one of the closest things to patriotism in Canadians I've ever read.
June 7, 2013
Pulpy, fun, and provocative. Essential Canadian alternate history.
July 26, 2014
“Now I want you to prepare for a briefing…!”
Like super-charged dominos, one fantastic meeting leads to another when the President of the United States calls the Prime Minister of Canada and delivers the ultimate ultimatum: Give us control of your oil… or else! Prime Minister Robert Porter’s schedule rapidly fills, and he also takes a number of phone calls, while the President personally pilots Air Force One to the brink of war… and the shores of Hudson Bay, to inspect some pipe. While the clock ticks down, a nation debates “not so much the access to the energy reserves of the Canadian Arctic as the whole question of an independent future for Canadians.” Sam Allen, Inuit terrorist and the Prime Minister’s best friend, must make an terrible choice between two loyalties, and when tragedy strikes, the leader of a proud land declares: “That was a brave, brave man. I must phone his wife. I knew them when I was in Inuvik.”
Time’s up. Will it be war or not war?
More: Ultimatum discussed at the Reading Richard Rohmer blog
Like super-charged dominos, one fantastic meeting leads to another when the President of the United States calls the Prime Minister of Canada and delivers the ultimate ultimatum: Give us control of your oil… or else! Prime Minister Robert Porter’s schedule rapidly fills, and he also takes a number of phone calls, while the President personally pilots Air Force One to the brink of war… and the shores of Hudson Bay, to inspect some pipe. While the clock ticks down, a nation debates “not so much the access to the energy reserves of the Canadian Arctic as the whole question of an independent future for Canadians.” Sam Allen, Inuit terrorist and the Prime Minister’s best friend, must make an terrible choice between two loyalties, and when tragedy strikes, the leader of a proud land declares: “That was a brave, brave man. I must phone his wife. I knew them when I was in Inuvik.”
Time’s up. Will it be war or not war?
More: Ultimatum discussed at the Reading Richard Rohmer blog
March 15, 2025
I first read this in 1973 or 74. At the time, I thought it "pulpy" as another Goodreads reviewer put it, but not bad. It was believable, but unlikely.
The US decides it needs Canada's Natural Gas reserves, and will go to any lengths to get them. Canada says "you just can't take them, but we'll cut you a really good deal (even after you screw up so badly that anyone else would say you'd blown your last chance), because we're Nice People."
Now, reading it more critically, I think the writing is perhaps better and unfortunately the story (replace Gas with Water) is getting more believable by the minute.
Canada is not the 51st state, and Wayne Gretzky and Elon Musk have both committed treason.
The US decides it needs Canada's Natural Gas reserves, and will go to any lengths to get them. Canada says "you just can't take them, but we'll cut you a really good deal (even after you screw up so badly that anyone else would say you'd blown your last chance), because we're Nice People."
Now, reading it more critically, I think the writing is perhaps better and unfortunately the story (replace Gas with Water) is getting more believable by the minute.
Canada is not the 51st state, and Wayne Gretzky and Elon Musk have both committed treason.
March 21, 2025
Written in 1972, a somewhat obscure and very interesting read, particularly in light of President Donald Trump's statements in 2025 of Canada becoming the 51st state of the USA. a little slow in parts, but the inevitable ending will probably apall you.
August 12, 2023
All Canadians should read this book by Richard Rohmer
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews