Politics & Current Affairs

The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism

In Dr. Seuss’s story “The Sneetches,” the star-bellied Sneetches discriminate against those plain-bellied Sneetches with “none upon thars.” That is, until arch-capitalist Sylvester Monkey McBean rolls into town with a machine that puts stars on ... Read More »

August 30, 2007 | Filed under: Politics & Current Affairs

Young Thugs: Inside the Dangerous World of Canadian Street Gangs

By Michael C. Chettleburgh

According to criminal justice consultant and youth gang expert Michael Chettleburgh, every Canadian city has, or will soon have, a problem with youth gangs. He shows us the statistics: 62 gangs, with over 1,100 members, ... Read More »

July 27, 2007 | Filed under: Children and YA Non-fiction, Politics & Current Affairs

Great Questions of Canada (Revised Edition)

By Rudyard Griffiths, ed.

New books by well-known journalists and authors Roy MacGregor and Andrew Cohen, as well as a revised anthology from the Dominion Institute, all attempt to examine the current Canadian zeitgeist. It may be an impossibly ... Read More »

July 27, 2007 | Filed under: Politics & Current Affairs

Canadians: A Portrait of a Country and Its People

By Roy MacGregor

July 27, 2007 | Filed under: Politics & Current Affairs

The Unfinished Canadian: The People We Are

By Andrew Cohen

July 27, 2007 | Filed under: Politics & Current Affairs

Reflections on Islam: Ideas, Opinions, Arguments

By George Jonas

Reflections on Islam mostly comprises more than four dozen columns about Islam and terrorism written by author and National Post columnist George Jonas between 2001 and 2006. The new material – a postscript and an ... Read More »

July 13, 2007 | Filed under: Politics & Current Affairs

Canada in Afghanistan: The War so Far

By Peter Pigott

In his preface to Canada in Afghanistan, the U.K.-born, India-raised Peter Pigott, known mostly for his books on aviation, declares that “Kipling has always been a favourite writer of mine. In fact, I can still ... Read More »

July 12, 2007 | Filed under: Politics & Current Affairs

The Big Lie: On Terror, Antisemitism, and Identity

By David Solway

A good polemic challenges and enlightens readers, but shouldn’t leave them with a headache. David Solway’s The Big Lie requires extra-strength Aspirin. Over-written and overwrought, Solway’s book is both reminiscent of 1950s Red Scare screeds ... Read More »

July 12, 2007 | Filed under: Politics & Current Affairs

Whose War Is It?: How Canada Can Survive the Post-9/11 World

By J.L. Granatstein

Both of these books are concerned with defining Canada’s “national interests.” Granatstein’s Whose War Is It? holds that the country’s interests lie firmly with the U.S., while McQuaig, in Holding the Bully’s Coat, argues that ... Read More »

June 14, 2007 | Filed under: Politics & Current Affairs