The Worldly Years: The Life of Lester Pearson, 1949-1972

David A. Lenarcic teaches history at Wilfrid Laurier University in
Waterloo.

The concluding volume of John English’s biography examines Pearson as
Secretary of State for External Affairs, Leader of the Opposition, and
Prime Minister. It chronicles his forays into foreign policy (NATO,
Korea, Suez, Vietnam) and domestic policy (social programs, bilingualism
and biculturalism, co-operative federalism).

That Pearson was a complex—even paradoxical—individual comes out
clearly. One of the book’s strengths is that it speaks directly to
controversies about Pearson’s actions and beliefs with respect to
quiet diplomacy, Cold War foreign policy, Herbert Norman,
Ottawa–Quebec City relations, and his own personal ambition.

While never reluctant to identify Pearson’s failings, English offers
a generally sympathetic account. His interpretation, solidly based on
primary and secondary sources, is persuasive. Yet the book’s
conclusion mainly discusses Pearson’s political career; an assessment
of his diplomacy is strangely absent. English describes Trudeau’s
critique of Pearson’s internationalism and the latter’s rebuttal.
But beyond commenting that “Mike, it seems, was right,” since
Trudeau eventually launched his own peace initiative, he does not
provide any comprehensive evaluation of the statesman’s foreign policy
views or record that would tie together related observations he advances
earlier. A more detailed explanation of why “Pearson often infuriates
a biographer”—one more explicitly connected to his diplomatic
career—would have been welcome. Pearson the diplomat never quite meets
Pearson the politician.

Nonetheless, writing in a lively and engaging style, English covers
Pearson’s public and private life as well as his times in the best
biographical tradition. Together with the first volume, this work will
take its place as the definitive treatment of one of the country’s
most pivotal figures.