Customer Reviews (1)

A great story about the sad man of Canada

In the American Southwest, the term for politicians such as Pierre Elliott Trudeau is "all hat and no cows;" or as I once wrote in describing a political wannabe in New Mexico, "a few cows short of a full herd."

What's the Canadian version?A few pennies short of a loonie?All hoot and no loon?This brief but very readable analysis of the politics of Trudeau struggles vainly to come to terms with a man Canadians wanted to love but eventually--along with the rest of the world--saw as a joke.Trudeau, like John Diefenbaker, are the Tweedledumb and Tweedledumber of the last 50 years.Both men were initially loved by Canadians who eventually learned their Prince Charmings were really merely two slippery poliwogs grasping for power.

To love Canada is to love diversity;the politician's love of power is to love oneself.Trudeau was the Jimmy Carter of Canada, but without the vision or intellect.

Instead of biography, Ricci perceptively analyzes of Trudeau's political highlights, a man who was clever by too far and deeply in love with his own cleverness.Trudeau was blind to the desire of Canadians who want a nationalistic definition of why they are not Americans, Englishmen, French or others--but are united as separatists.It's not a nationalism of smug superiority, empire, wealth or a right to rule lesser folks.For a century after the War of 1812, we were "not Americans."For the past century, nationalism in Canada asks, "Okay, then who are we?"

Ricci details how Trudeau grew up with this sentiment, a natural youthful rebel against any and all outside domination.Then Trudeau went to Harvard, the elite finishing school for American politicians, and returned as an eventual Liberal Party apparatchik and loyal supporter of the Ogdensburg Agreement.Trudeau's insouciant nationalism sums up the frustration of Canada.

Diefenbaker never got beyond "My fellow Canadians."Pearson never got beyond his flag.Trudeau, as Ricci makes clear--whether he meant to or not--simply never "got it."Just as he was made into an international joke by Margaret, he was likewise seduced by his desperate passion for power.

Ricci is an astute and perceptive analyst of Trudeaumania, which makes this book a gem in understanding this toothless lapdog of Canadian identity.Maybe it's the role of a writer, not a politician, to clearly define a nation's unique and clearly distinct identity.If so, the opening chapters are an ideal place to start;the rest of the book explains what goes wrong when the task is entrusted to a politician--as it has been since 1957.

Perhaps Ricci can so define Canada;if not, the person who does will likely have started with this book.It's that good in its portrayal of a frustrating politician.




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This digital document is an article from Canadian Ethnic Studies Journal, published by Canadian Ethnic Studies Association on June 22, 2004. The length of the article is 12452 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Neither here nor there: redirecting the homeward gaze in Nino Ricci's 'Lives of the Saints', 'In a Glass House' and Where She Has Gone.(Critical Essay)
Author: Amanda Mullen
Publication: Canadian Ethnic Studies Journal (Refereed)
Date: June 22, 2004
Publisher: Canadian Ethnic Studies Association
Volume: 36Issue: 2Page: 29(22)

Article Type: Critical Essay

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Award-winning literary journal contains an interview with Walter Murch conducted by Michael Ondaatje and a cartoon by Margaret Atwood. ... Read more

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Pss...ya casi es hora de acostarse y Dora y Boots van para casa. En el camino oyen unos cuantos ruidos que hacen los animales. ?Quiénes los hacen? Los lectores pueden levantar las tapitas para descubrirlo -- !y aprender a dar las buenas noches, igual que Dora! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Teaching Languages to a 18 month old
My grandson loves this character, and the lift the flap format really attracts him and keeps him focused on the words to learn. ... Read more

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My 3y-old son loved it!!!
I read this book to my little son EVERY evening during Xmas time (he didn't want any other) and I'm sure I will do the same thing next year! :-) ... Read more

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Every day, Dora has adventures with her grandmother. Abuela is an explorer; a Star Catcher; and a great jumper, climber, and dancer--just like Dora! She knows all about how to take care of plants, make steaming hot chocolate, and give the best hugs. Dora tells readers all about her Abuela, and asks them what they like about theirs. This book is perfect for celebrating the special bonds kids can share with their grandparents. A simultaneous Spanish edition! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

should have looked more closely
I have been looking for bilingual books to read with my son.I read the title thinking it might be a bilingual book since it had the english translation of the title.Bit disappointed to find it was spanish only as neither of us are fluent yet.Not sure if it is a good book or not for a spanish reader!!

Cute Book!
Nice book one of a few I have gotten for my daughter as I need all the help I can get in teaching her Spanish. ... Read more

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Es Nochebuena y Swiper está en la lista mala de Papá Noel, ¡por haber intentado llevarse la estrella del árbol de Navidad! Dora quiere ayudar, así que se lanza con Swiper a una aventura de viajes en el tiempo: viajarán a las navidades del pasado, cuando Swiper era un bebito, y a las navidades del futuro, en las que Swiper ya será grande...¡A ver si por fin Swiper descubre el verdadero espíritu de la Navidad! ... Read more