John A. Macdonald

Ian A. Andrews is editor of the New Brunswick Teachers’ Association’s Focus and co-author of Becoming a Teacher.

Any reader wishing to acquire brief but reasonably thorough biographies
of two of Canada’s earliest prime ministers need look no further than
these two offerings on Wilfrid Laurier and John A. Macdonald. In their
contributions to the popular The Canadians series, Martin Spigelman and
Peter Waite, respectively, put life into the popular politicians.
Weaving liberal amounts of social history onto a national political
base, these skilled authors unveil complicated, yet dedicated,
personalities.

Laurier is portrayed as a strong supporter of British liberal
traditions, intent on maintaining Canadian unity amid linguistic and
religious differences. Through an era of expanded immigration and
divisive conscription, he stood as a dedicated and principled proponent
of a strong Canada.

Macdonald is portrayed as a skilful manipulator whose grasp of, and
focus on, key issues allowed him to deal effectively with the people
associated with these issues. Controversy, whether constitutional
nation-building or scandal-plagued partisan politics, was faced head on
by this pragmatic practitioner.

Both books are strategically supplemented with period photos, posters,
and cartoons. Students of all ages will enjoy them for their concise,
yet critical, look at two early Canadian political icons. Highly
recommended.