Brian Mulroney (1939–2024)

This massive book (over 1000 pages) is quite readable and gives the reader an interesting view of Brian Mulroney's life, personality and the role of the Prime Minister. Mulroney, understandably does not comment extensively on the succession of Kim Campbell not on the disintegration of the Conservative party after his departure. Neither does he comment much on the decline in popularity figures from the heights when he was first elected to the depths when he resigned. This is unfortunate because it really goes to the the heart of his legacy. Great achievements, no doubt, but the failures might be even more instructive.… (meer)

Brian Mulroney -- the Prime Minister many Canadians loved to hate. Despite winning over 50% of the popular vote, it was hard to find people to admit they'd voted for him.

Mr. Mulroney's memoirs are over 1,000 pages long -- he always had "the gift of the gab", as they say. I thoroughly enjoyed reading every one of those pages. There is very little repetition and he recounts his experiences in a conversational style that makes you feel you are there with him.

I've also read Peter C. Newman's "The Secret Mulroney Tapes" and between the two books, I've developed a greater appreciation for Mr. Mulroney, what he accomplished, and what he tried to do.

But, back to the memoirs: my only disappointment were the excerpts from Mr. Mulroney's extensive journals. They are far too polished for personal journals, in my opinion and, at times, lacked authenticity. I think they were edited for publication. So what? Well, the more I see the real person behind the media, the more I admire him and I wanted even more of that reality.

I would have liked to hear more of what he thought of the 1993 election's virtual decimation of the Conservative Party, but he ended the book with his resignation, which was probably the smarter thing to do!… (meer)